$8.50

BENTONITE 1kg

Used as as fining agent for wine / juice / cider etc.

Bentonite is a special type of very fine clay made of aluminium-silicate. It is distinct from other clays in that bentonite is formed from volcanic ash. Bentonite is principally used to remove proteins from white wine and juice, as it is a negatively charged clay colloid and reacts with positively charged proteins, precipitating them from the wine. Use of bentonite in red wines should be limited because of its ability to reduce colour by adsorption of anthocyanins and for other reasons such as waste disposal and loss of product.

Because the positive charge on proteins is stronger at lower pH values, the effectiveness of bentonite is greater in wines with lower pH values. If it is intended to adjust the pH and titratable acidity of the wine, then this should be carried out prior to bentonite fining, since stability might be different under the new pH conditions.