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Lactic spoilage

Oxygen and microbesSometimes recoverable

Sauerkraut, mousiness, or in the worst case a slick, ropy texture as the bacteria produce polysaccharide.

What causes it

Lactic acid bacteria working on sugar or on glycerol rather than on malic acid, usually at high pH with low SO2.

Detection threshold

The ropy stage is unmistakable; mousiness is only detectable retronasally, after swallowing.

What you can do

Ropiness can sometimes be stirred out and the wine sulphited and filtered. Mousiness cannot be fixed at all.

How to prevent it

Finish fermentation dry, get pH under 3.6, and sulphite as soon as malolactic is complete.