I usually degas the wine when it has finished fermenting and before leaving it to clear. You can rack off the worst of the lees then give the fresh dj a few good shakes and then leave it to settle.

Any gas left in the wine will give it a nasty 'sharp' taste in the mouth. If your wine tastes a bit unpleasant, put some into a bottle and cover the bottle top with your hand, shake and see if the wine 'fizzes' and you feel a pressure build up, if so, release the pressure then repeat the shaking until the fizzing and pressure stop. Taste the wine again and see if there is a difference - there usually will be if the problems are due to gas in the wine.

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Happy Gardening,
Shirley

http://www.honeyjukes.co.uk