I've been contemplating starting a show mead. I understand that "show mead" mean only yeast, honey and water added, but in thinking about it, I have a few questions about what is and is not a show mead. Is there a written guideline someplace that explains it well?
My questions include:
1. Are water treatments allowed prior to mixing the must? What if you have a water softener in your house?
2. Can you use yeast extract or yeast hulls? They are yeast after all (or parts of them at least).
3. Can you use oak chips/cubes? Adding oak with a barrel is okay.
4. Can you use a Oxygen tank for aeration/oxygenating the must? Aeration is okay, right?
5. The yeast added doesn't all have to be from the same strain does it? Can a product like Servomyces be used (it is acceptable under the Rienheitsgebot)?
6. Can pollen be added? If you can get fresh honey with pollen in it, that is okay to use, isn't it? Pollen is part of honey.
7. Can sulfites be used as a preservative? It doesn't contribute flavor elements.
I'm sure there are other such questions out there, and it would be good to have a clear, easily-accessible set of rules. Are the rules consistent from competition to competition with regard to the show mead class?
Medsen
My questions include:
1. Are water treatments allowed prior to mixing the must? What if you have a water softener in your house?
2. Can you use yeast extract or yeast hulls? They are yeast after all (or parts of them at least).
3. Can you use oak chips/cubes? Adding oak with a barrel is okay.
4. Can you use a Oxygen tank for aeration/oxygenating the must? Aeration is okay, right?
5. The yeast added doesn't all have to be from the same strain does it? Can a product like Servomyces be used (it is acceptable under the Rienheitsgebot)?
6. Can pollen be added? If you can get fresh honey with pollen in it, that is okay to use, isn't it? Pollen is part of honey.
7. Can sulfites be used as a preservative? It doesn't contribute flavor elements.
I'm sure there are other such questions out there, and it would be good to have a clear, easily-accessible set of rules. Are the rules consistent from competition to competition with regard to the show mead class?
Medsen