Sanitation barrels

Hot water (>82 C/180 F) and steam are ideal sterilants. Both have excellent penetrative properties, are generally noncorrosive, and effective against aU juice and wine microorganisms. For instance, WUker and Dharmadhikari (1997) compared various treatments for sanitizing barrels infected with acetic acid bacteria and noted that the hot water treatment used (85°G/185 F to 88 C/190 F for 20 min) was most effective (Section 11.2.1). However, both hot water/steam may more rapidly degrade gaskets compared with other techniques. 

Barrel sanitation Equipment maintenance Final check before bottling... 

Barrel Sanitation. This is perhaps the most important single item in all of Phase I quality control for the winery which ages wines in barrels. 

Few conclusive studies have identified the source or spread of Brettanomyces within the vineyard except for use of contaminated equipment. Contaminated and improperly sanitized crush equipment, drains, barrels, transfer hoses, valves, pumps, and bottling equipment can all act as sources for further infection (33). Harper (67) found the interior surface of plastic (polyvinyl chloride, polyethene, and plasticised nylon) pipes used commonly in the brewing industry maintained a variety of bacteria and yeast populations, including Brettanomyces. 

Wilker, KL. and M.R. Dharmadhikari. 1994. Evaluation of three treatments used to sanitize wine barrels infected with acetic acid bacteria. Am. J. Enol. Vitic. 45(4) 477 [Abstract]. 

In the wine industry, sodium percarbonate is sold under the trade name Proxycarb and is widely used to treat barrels believed to be contaminated with spoilage microorganisms and/or to neutralize offensive odors that may be present. Like other barrel treatments, 100% kill is unlikely given the porous nature of wood. It is probable that viable populations can be sequestered in areas where the compound cannot reach during a cleaning cycle. As with the use other peroxide-based cleaners/ sanitizers, employees should trained in its application and safe use. 

Like hydrogen peroxide, concentrated PAA (40%w/v) is a highly toxic oxidant. As such, employees must receive special training prior to use. In diluted form, its hest applications include barrel and bottling hne sanitation and sterilization. 

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