Mother of Vinegar

I'm pretty sure I've got a mother of vinegar problem in my wine cellar. Too many bottles are coming up with a sour taste. I've looked around for what to do but haven't found much. Suggestions?

Quit making vinegar in your wine cellar.

First of all are you sure its vinegar? It should be quite noticeable on the nose. If not, it could be dissolved CO2 - residuals from either primary or ML. If you shake the wine do bubbles appear? It could also be just high acid - the '06 vintage was a bit rough, as some grapes had trouble ripening in our area. If it is vinegar, clean all your equipment with bleach solution mixed with automatic dishwasher detergent and rinse thoroughly (wear old clothes when you do this). When used to make vinegar, mother of vinegar is a whitish, cloudy, slimy substance.

Dan, Howie's point rings true for me. Last year the ripening conditions (in Ontario too) were the worst I ever remember for as long as I've been into wine. It was cold right from the start of September, and drab and rainy all the time. I am still shocked that I was able to make a completely decent wine from the overcropped Cayugas that I picked in the second week of October. Having said that, I also fought with a bit of mold in the must - quick action saved the entire batch, because a white moldy film had begun to develop on the surface of my must after a day of maceration, producing a volatile stink which would have no doubt destroyed the entire batch had I not quickly removed the affected top layer. It was a vintage frought with problems and I frankly am not looking forward to too many commercial '06 wines from Niagara (especially not the reds).

...It was a vintage frought with problems and I frankly am not looking forward to too many commercial '06 wines from Niagara (especially not the reds).

Paul, I wouldn't be so hasty. After the freak early October snow storm, the rest of October and most of November were sunny and dry. I think you may be surprised and find some quality Cab Franc from the '06 vintage.

Howie, I sure hope to be surprised then!

I recall how nasty '92 and '96 were, and lo and behold, some nice light-bodied Foch was actually produced in those years.

sulphur is your friend - use it. clean everything. its cheaper than moving.