THE HYDROMETER Introduction

The hydrometer is a floating weight used to determine how many grammes one litre of must (unfermented grape juice) or wine weighs. There are two different sets of scales:

1. Specific Gravity(S G) – most used by US/UK
2. Oechsle Scale – named after Ferdinand Oechsle of Pforzheim, Germany

The hydrometer is winemaking’s most important instrument. To illustrate, in Germany, the entire legislation regarding winemaking is based on the hydrometer! And German winemaking legislation is the most stringent in the world.

Winemaking without a hydrometer is like driving a car without a steering wheel – there’s a strong chance of not getting to the destination. It is the only instrument necessary for the winemaker. Professional winemaking would be impossible without it.

While you may wish to browse around the categories you will want to start at the Contents Page and follow the list in sequence, in order to cover the process in the proper sequence.