Clarifying agents and their usage

One of the key technological steps in winemaking is clarification and stabilization, aimed at preserving the quality and stability of the wine. During the clarification process, unwanted particles are removed from the wine, ensuring a clear, transparent appearance and a harmonious flavor profile. Stabilization, on the other hand, prevents the wine from becoming cloudy or developing undesirable flavors over time. Below, we present the most important fining and clarifying agents that can help address challenges encountered in winemaking.

CLARIFYING AGENTS AND THEIR APPLICATION

Easy Clear Clarification Kit

The Easy Clear Clarification Kit is specifically designed for hobby winemakers, offering a comprehensive solution for clarifying 250-liter, 500-liter, and 1000-liter batches of wine by combining multiple fining agents. The kit includes components that effectively remove proteins and polyphenols, ensuring a stable and clear final product. It is particularly suitable for wines where clarity and color stability are key factors.

Application: Each component must be dissolved separately in appropriate water before being added to the wine. This ensures effective clarification and easy filtration.
Benefits: The Easy Clear Clarification Kit is simple to use, fast, and provides an efficient solution for processing smaller quantities of wine.

BENTONITES

Bentonites, which are multilayered clay minerals, are the most commonly used fining agents in the beverage industry. These versatile materials play a crucial role in various winemaking processes. Bentonites effectively clarify wines, which is essential for producing a clean and visually appealing product. Their benefits include preventing wine faults, improving color and flavor, and ensuring protein stability. Depending on the winemaking techniques and processing materials used, bentonites serve different purposes. Selecting and applying the right bentonite can improve wine quality and enhance final product stability.

B-Fast & Easy

B-Fast & Easy is a bentonite-based fining agent that plays a crucial role in protein stabilization. Using bentonite is essential to prevent haze caused by proteins and to ensure a stable and clear appearance in wine. B-Fast & Easy is quick and easy to apply, making it particularly beneficial for clarifying white and rosé wines.

Dosage: Recommended dosage depends on the wine type and protein content, determined by a preliminary fining test. General guidelines:

White must: Up to 150 g/hl for static settling.
Final fining of white and red wines: 5–30 g/hl.
Protein removal in wine: Up to 150 g/hl.

Benefits: Provides excellent protein stabilization, dissolves easily, and ensures fast and effective results.

SPECIAL FINING AGENTS

In addition to traditional fining agents, special fining materials can be used for wines with high pH, low temperatures, or difficult filtration, as well as for harmonizing polyphenols in red wines. These specialized agents protect red wine color and bind brown pigments, enhancing the overall quality.

Fish Coll

Fish Coll is a powdered isinglass-based fining agent particularly effective in binding phenolic compounds, improving wine clarity and color stability. It is ideal for oxidation-prone wines, especially white wines, where a bright, clean appearance and stability are crucial.

Dosage: Recommended dosage is 2–4 g/hl, depending on the wine type and its needs.
Benefits: Fish Coll, derived from fish bladder, acts quickly and efficiently, even at low temperatures. It minimizes any negative impact on the wine, which is crucial for preserving delicate flavors.

S-Sol 40

S-Sol 40 is a silica-based fining agent that ensures rapid and effective clarification, particularly in white wines. It prevents haze caused by proteins and enhances filtration efficiency. It is an excellent choice for achieving fast and reliable clarification while preserving the wine’s natural flavor profile.

Dosage: 10–30 ml/hl, depending on the wine’s characteristics.
Benefits: S-Sol 40 provides rapid flocculation and sedimentation, resulting in a clear and stable wine with improved shelf life.

PLANT-BASED FINING AGENTS

Plant-based fining agents offer a modern alternative to traditional animal-derived materials, meeting the needs of sustainable and vegan winemaking. These natural agents, such as pea protein and chitosan, effectively remove phenolic compounds and help protect against oxidation. They provide an eco-friendly solution while preserving the wine’s natural flavor and aroma profile. These fining agents are especially popular among organic and vegan wineries due to their natural origin and allergen-free composition.

P-Pro Chito

P-Pro Chito is a pea protein and chitosan-based fining agent, particularly effective in removing phenolic compounds and protecting against oxidation. Its natural, biodegradable components make it an environmentally friendly solution, suitable for vegan wines.

Dosage: 5–20 g/hl, depending on the wine type.
Benefits: P-Pro Chito is highly effective in removing phenolic compounds and stabilizing wine, especially for vegan and organic wines.

P-Pro Liquid

P-Pro Liquid is a liquid, plant-based protein fining agent designed for treating oxidation-prone wines. This formulation ensures rapid flocculation and sedimentation, facilitating wine clarification and improving flavor balance. Its ready-to-use liquid form makes it highly practical for quick applications.

Dosage:

White and rosé wines: 50–200 ml/hl.
Red wines: 100–200 ml/hl.

Benefits: Enhances wine resistance to oxidation, reduces bitterness and vegetal notes, and improves the final flavor profile.

F-Harmony

F-Harmony is a complex fining agent that plays a key role in enhancing and stabilizing the wine’s flavor harmony. It effectively removes phenolic compounds, reduces oxidation risks, and ensures a fresh, balanced taste. F-Harmony is particularly beneficial for achieving a refined and well-balanced wine.

Dosage: 10–30 g/hl, depending on the desired flavor profile.
Benefits: Enhances the wine’s depth and freshness, contributing to a complex and harmonious final product.

SUMMARY

The Importance of Clarification and Stabilization

There are numerous solutions for clarifying and stabilizing wine, all aimed at improving its purity and quality. Various fining agents efficiently remove unwanted components, including proteins, phenolic substances, and oxidation-prone compounds. Selecting the right product and dosage helps maintain the wine’s original flavor and aroma, ensuring a clean and stable final product that meets consumer expectations.

On our website, you can find all the essential tools and materials for harvest and wine treatment—from selecting optimal yeasts and using enzymes and nutrients to state-of-the-art fermentation tanks. Additionally, our expert team is available at every step to provide professional guidance and help you make the best decisions.

Best regards,
The OENOTECH Team

Tel.: +36 24 534 080
Tel.: +36 70 391 56 98
Email: borkezeles@kerttrade.hu