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Workshop: Optimising & Understanding Filtration

AWITC (W11): Sunday June 26th, 12.30-15.00

Want to know?

  • Why some filters cost more than others?
  • Which filter you need?
  • What a wine membrane is?
  • Why some filters last longer than others?
  • What wine filterability is?
  • How you make sure your cross-flow is working properly?
  • What effects different filter grades have on a wine’s sensory characteristics?
  • What’s possible with the automation of wine filtration?
  • If there’s someone in your organisation who should know these things?

A workshop for:

  • Bottling staff
  • Winemakers
  • Cellar managers
  • Students
  • Cellar hands
  • Operations staff
  • Purchasing staff
filtration skid
Amazon Supaspun II Depth Filter
becopad filration sheets

About The Workshop

Winemakers often use a combination of experience and guesswork when approaching wine filtration. Cross-flow systems have largely simplified this, as they only offer single pass filtration. Use of sterile (membrane) filtration continues to increase. Changes in membrane composition and the use of wine additives warrant an examination of how best to improve filtration outcomes in terms of cost effectiveness, process efficiency and wine quality.

This workshop will commence with a brief overview of filtration techniques, including cross-flow, depth and membrane filtration, and their relative impacts on wine physical and sensory characteristics. The latest in automated filtration system design will be presented, in addition to some case studies to demonstrate the extreme utility of this approach to packaging. A series of tasting samples will be provided to illustrate the sensory and physical impacts of filtration. A discussion platform will be used to assess the differences between different filtration treatments.

Wine filterability has been widely discussed over the last decade, yet there is no current Australian standard for measuring the filterability index (FI) of wine. Australian and New Zealand FI methods will be presented and critiqued. Measurement equipment will also be discussed, and a demonstration of wine FI measurement provided. The correct interpretation of analyses will be discussed, and caveats indicated. Vinpac International has used FI measurement for sterile filtration wines since July 2013. Some interesting figures from their vast FI measurement library will be presented, in addition to some valuable findings they have made. The use of FI analyses to monitor cross-flow filtration equipment performance will be presented, with case studies discussed. Filterability analysis has gained broad acceptance now, yet the interpretation and best use of the technique is often poor. Different filterability analysis methods are used between Australia and New Zealand and understanding of the pros and cons of both is needed. Filterability analysis can also be used to monitor cross-flow equipment performance, and this will be presented and discussed. Experiences from both medium and large packaging facilities will be presented.

manual filterability testing unit
automated filterability index test unit for wineries bottling plants
becodisc

 
Wine filtration is an ever-changing process since both the methods and substrates vary and industry understanding is, in general, less than optimal. This workshop will help winemakers and beverage packaging facilities make informed process decisions to improve cost effectiveness, efficiency, and product quality.

Attendees will also gain some insight into the latest in automation of packaging filtration.

Please come along to our workshop at the 18th AWITC and we can provide you with the latest information on these and other aspects of filtration and answer your questions. Remember, correct process choices save you money!

Download the Workshop flyer, or contact your BHF rep to find out more.