The long Babo must meter with thermometer is an instrument that indicates the percentage of sugar by weight, i.e. kg of sugar in every 100 kg of must. It is useful for determining the sugar content of the grapes and their degree of ripeness; with this instrument you can also predict how successful the fermentation will be and the potential alcohol level of the final wine. Finally, the must meter makes it possible to monitor the must, checking the progress of fermentation and roughly measuring the residual sugar that has not yet been converted into alcohol.
It is easy to use: first press a few berries, chosen so as to represent the average of the vineyard. Then collect the juice in a plastic test cylinder, which can be purchased together with the instrument by checking the related products below, and remove as many solid parts as possible. At this point, simply immerse the must meter in the transparent cylinder, allow it to settle and read the value on the scale.
To estimate the alcohol level that the wine will reach, simply multiply the value read on the must meter by:
- 0.63 in the case of white winemaking;
- 0.58 in the case of red winemaking without stems;
- 0.56 in the case of red winemaking with stems and skins.
The must meter is supplied with a protective case and has a length of 33 cm.
- Typology
- Measuring instruments