Tartaric Stability With Steroglass EasyCheck
Why Tartaric Stability Matters in Modern Winemaking
Tartrate crystals are the most common physical instability seen in bottled wines and are often read by consumers as a quality slip. Preventing precipitation of potassium bitartrate and calcium tartrate protects appearance and complaint risk at shelf.
AWRI defines “cold stability” as resistance to KHT crystallisation at low temperature, noting that calcium tartrate is less temperature-sensitive and harder to control—so CaT calls for different checks than classic cold treatment alone.
Meet Steroglass EasyCheck
EasyCheck is an ultra-compact, bench analyser that needs only mains power and its built-in Peltier cooling to run tests. It automates a standardised, repeatable protocol and stores results for traceability or remote review via app/LIMS. Use it for routine QC, pre-bottling checks, trial verification and commercial lab throughput.
How EasyCheck Works
Conductivity-based Stability Testing
When KHT crystals form, potassium ions leave solution and the sample’s conductivity drops. That’s why the accepted “mini-contact/UC Davis” style tests track the change in µS/cm during a cold, seeded run—less drop means greater stability. .
Steroglass Test Flow
EasyCheck favours KHT precipitation by adding excess potassium bitartrate (labelled “THK” in the brochure) and monitors conductivity through controlled temperature phases. Because it uses Peltier cells rather than a water/air bath, it ramps faster and holds tighter isotherms, shortening test time while improving repeatability.
What You See in The Results
EasyCheck gives you a graph (isotherm) and four named indicators that make the pass/fail call easier to defend in audits:
TS (saturation temperature)
TSS (stabilised TS)
TCC (critical temperature of crystallisation)
SSS (stable supersaturation zone)
The instrument also stores runs and supports remote/app or LIMS review for traceability.
How to read the curve: during a seeded, temperature-controlled run the instrument tracks conductivity. A flat or <3–5% drop over the method window suggests the wine is already cold-stable; larger sustained drops signal ongoing KHT precipitation and a likely fail. Australian references commonly treat ≤5% change as a practical pass guide (some labs use ≤3% for reds). Set your in-house rule and keep it consistent across vintages.
What each number means for decisions
TS / TSS: show how close the wine sits to tartrate saturation at the test conditions; lower TSS generally means a wider buffer against KHT fallout in the supply chain. Use this to justify shorter or skipped cold holds on already stable lots.
TCC: the temperature at which crystals kick off. If your bottling, transport or retail exposure gets near that temperature, treat or adjust logistics.
SSS: a “safe zone” where the wine remains supersaturated without dropping crystals—useful when planning shipping through colder regions.
Borderline or unexpected results: AWRI notes there’s no single universal definition of “cold stability”, and some producers verify marginal wines with a 72-hour brine test at −4 °C. If your conductivity drop hovers around the limit, run a confirmatory check before large-scale treatment.
Calcium angle: EasyCheck also includes a calcium stability mode. Because CaT behaves differently to KHT and is less temperature-sensitive, treat its output as a separate risk screen rather than assuming a KHT pass covers CaT.
What to save to LIMS: export the isotherm image, TS/TSS/TCC/SSS values, method settings (seed amount, temperature steps), operator ID and batch/lot—this builds a repeatable pre-bottling release record and speeds up audits or complaint reviews.
Key Specs
Conductivity: ±2 µS/cm sensitivity; 0–4000 µS/cm range
Temperature: 0.01 °C resolution; ±0.1 °C accuracy; −30 to +50 °C
Analysis chamber: 25 mL, magnetic stirring
Footprint / weight: 21 × 20 × 43 cm; ~8 kg
Thermal system: 4-cell Peltier; tighter isotherm vs bath systems (±0.05 °C vs ±0.5 °C)
Data/remote: result saving and remote/app connectivity; LIMS/PC compatibility
Built-in computer: ARM quad-core 1.4 GHz
Advantages for Australian Wineries
Run only the cold treatment you need, based on measured stability, and avoid energy-heavy, multi-week brine soaks for wines that are already stable. Recent reviews outline how data-led approaches can trim energy/additives while maintaining quality.
How to Read/Act on an EasyCheck Run
Before You Start
Filter to bottling spec, degas if needed, and equilibrate temperature to the method. Follow AWRI’s guidance on comparative stability tests to avoid false positives from haze or colloids.
During The Run
Watch for conductivity stabilising at the controlled setpoint. Capture TS/TSS/TCC/SSS, confirm the isotherm looks clean (no instrument drift), and save the run to your batch record.
After The Run
If the conductivity drop is ≥5%, treat. Options include CMC, potassium polyaspartate (KPA), ion exchange, electrodialysis, or targeted cold time; CaT risk may call for specific additives. Base your choice on wine style, label claims and cost-to-treat.
Pricing, Setup & What’s in the Box
Pricing is POA(Price on Application) via distributors. Typical inclusions:
Instrument
Analysis chamber with stirrer
Software
Starter accessories
Common consumables include KHT seeds and calibration/verification solutions for conductivity.
Why Buy Through CISCAL
Get local supply, validation, and service with a single partner—plus compliance-ready documentation and NATA-traceable support through CISCAL Accreditation No. 411. National coverage with NSW head office and sites in VIC and QLD; service reach across all states and nearby regions.
Getting the Most Value From Your CISCAL Services
Use EasyCheck to move from guesswork to measured stability. Start by writing your own “go/no-go” rule (e.g., ≤5% conductivity drop under your mini-contact settings). Log TS/TCC and isotherms to your LIMS, and review them at pre-bottling sign-off. For CaT, schedule periodic checks on wines with higher calcium or higher pH, and trial CMC or KPA before full-scale treatment.