tempted to bottle...

[Gayle]

My forest fruit melomel was started on New year's day, and now looks ready to bottle. It's perfectly cleared and a lovely purpley red colour, and I'm tempted to bottle it and put it away to forget about for 6 months. However, would it be better to bulk age in the demi for another month or two? Would it benefit more than from being in bottles? I know on some of the US mead forums there'd be people horrified that I'd bottle so early, but I'm not sure it would make much difference...maybe it would degas it the airlock over time, is that important?

 

[alanywiseman.]

I would not bottle till it is ready to drink. By storingin bulk there is less chance of temperature swing so your mead will keep better. It also insures it is perfectly clear and completly degassed.