Siphoning Tubes

Siphoning tubes are used to transfer the must or wine from one container to another during racking and bottling. It is important that the siphoning tubes be long enough to reach from the bottom of the container being siphoned from, to the bottom of the container being siphoned to; as when racking--it is advisable that the juice does not splash into the "new" container, as that may introduce too much oxygen into the wine, and risk oxidation of the wine.

Flexible plastic tubing (approx 1/4 diameter) is available for this purchase (for a few cents per foot) at most hardware stores. In addition, it is useful to use a non-flexible tubing for the ends of the siphons, so that the siphon can be easily inserted into the containers and bottles. A rigid plastic tube can be used for this purpose -- attached to the flexible plastic tubing at each end. Alternately, a thin wooden (oak) dowel can be attached to each end of the flexible tubing to provide rigidity.

• Tip: When attaching the dowels, off set the down by 1/2 inch at the end of the siphon--making the dowel "overhang" the plastic. This will keep the end of the siphon above the sediment when racking.