474 



trough, and the temperature gradually brought up to 80 C. (175 F.) r 

 at which temperature they are maintained for quarter of an hour. 

 A thermometer placed in one of the bottles indicates the exact degree 

 of heat. It is essential, in order to sterilise the must, that that tem- 

 perature be reached ; whilst, on the other hand, it is essential that 

 it be not surpassed, as a higher degree of heat at the final heating 

 would coagulate a fresh lot of albuminoid matter, which would 

 cause their precipitation and make the liquid turbid. 



It is advisable to secure the corks by means of strings during 

 this second sterilisation, in order to prevent them being blown up. 

 When this is done the contents of the bottles will keep for almost 

 an indefinite period, unless some threads of moulds penetrate the 

 corks and contaminate the liquid. To guard against this, it is a 

 good practice to dip the neck of the filled bottles into a 2 per cent, 

 solution of sulphate of copper (3ozs. to 4ozs. blue stone in Igal. 

 water), and when dry either cover with bottling wax or a capsule. 

 Should signs of turbidity show after a few days, repeat the sterilising 

 process a third time. 



Grape-juice thus prepared will, with the exception of a few 

 tinted juice grapes, be white or amber colour, and be possessed with 

 the particular aroma of the grape used in its manufacture. 



When filled, lay the bottles in rows on the side, and note any 

 which may be leaking at the cork. These put by for more 

 immediate use ; the others are slightly dipped at the neck in 

 bottling wax, which may be bought at cork merchants' or at whole- 

 sale druggists' for a few pence per Ib. Different colours, such as 

 red, green, blue, or white, may be used for different wines. Care 

 should be used, in melting, to keep the wax continually stirred, to 

 prevent it burning and assuming the appearance of a gritty deposit. 



Grape juice thus bottled may be kept sound for years. It will 

 greatly improve by keeping a few months before it is used. 



