And For that Pudding-Like Texture

What is the chicest container for fermenting wine in? Is it the cement egg? (last seen at Viader in Napa) or is it amphora? Good question. The egg is catching on and it is easier to ship to the states, so far there are no amphora, but give it a few seconds. But the reason for this blog is pudding, not ceramics. I went to the Georgian wine tasting last week because I wanted to taste the Kisi grape made in amphora. What I found was a collection of wine wines that had that just about to gel texture of Ko-Jel of my youth. This gel like texture seems to be taking over in many wines and not only whites: I find it disturbing. When I was in California one cellar rat told me, as he was looking over a line-up of pinot, "I can tell if the winemaker uses gum arabic just by the look of the legs." Could these be the culprit? And if so, why on earth does a winemaker think this is necessary? STABIVIN #15480 1 kg Gum Arabic for Prevention of Colloidal Sedimentation #15481 5 kg Stabivin is a filtered solution of purified gum derived from Acacia trees. This gum serves as a colloidal protector in wine. It inhibits turbidity and natural colloidal sediments without stripping flavors or body. In white or rosé wines, Stabivin inhibits copper casse. In red wines, Stabivin inhibits color drop out or iron casse related to sediments. Add to the wine after filtration just prior to bottling basing levels on winemaker trials and preference. One kilogram of liquid Stabivin is equal to one liter. Recommended Dosage: 250ppm (25 mL/hL) 908 mL/1000 gal Stabivin Tech Sheet (PDF) STABIVIN SP Gum Arabic for Prevention of Colloidal Sedimentation and for Soft Palate Enhancement Stabivin SP reacts mechanically in much the same way as Stabivin. Due to a unique preparation method, in addition to colloidal protection, Stabivin SP contributes a perception of sweetness and softness on the palate. Add to the wine after filtration just prior to bottling basing levels on winemaker trials and preference. One kilogram of liquid Stabivin is equal to one liter. Note: These gum arabic products may also help reduce the risk of colloidal deposits collecting in the bottle in wines bottled without filtration. Recommended Dosage: Legal Dosage 0.8 mL/L (80 mL/hL) 3.0 L/1000 gal Stabivin SP Tech Sheet (PDF) NOTE: The manufacturer's (Laffort's) recommended dose for Stabivin and Stabivin SP exceeds the current legal US limits for gum arabic additions. Gum arabic is a GRAS product and has been used at the suggested levels in Europe for several years. However, you may use Stabivin and Stabivin SP at the elevated recommended levels ONLY after requesting and receiving permission from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. A sample letter is provided below. Subsequent use will require sending another letter and waiting for an additional response before use. These procedures may change in the future depending on the commercial response for the products at these dosage levels. We will keep you apprised of any future developments. Stabivin TTB Request Letter (DOC)