Record Additions
Overview
Recording additions to your lots is one of the most important facets of winemaking production tracking, not only from the standpoint of keeping good records, but because it touches aspects of TTB and FDA compliance, it interacts with your inventory of ingredients and additives, and because you often need to do a calculation on the side to determine how much of something to add. The Blended addition workflow has a lot of functionality tucked inside to accomplish these goals and accommodate the various ways you might want to make additions.
Ways to Make an Addition
Use Production Protocols
Recording additions from a production protocol in Blended is a straightforward process that can save you time by integrating with your production plan.
To start an addition from a production protocol, click on the Operations button associated with the addition step in your protocol.
Additions icons look like a measuring spoon
Use the Addition Dropdown
From the Production section within Blended, you can start an addition by clicking on the checkbox next to the lot's name and then selecting an option from the Addition menu button. If the additive you need is not listed, you can choose Custom Addition at the end of the menu.
Create Custom Addition
By choosing Custom Addition, a modal will appear that allows you to create an additive outside of the tracked Materials. Within the modal, start typing the name of the additive within the Additive dropdown and create the product. Fill in the quantity added and choose record.
Creating a custom addition doesn't create a corresponding product in Materials
If this product is meant to be tracked in Materials, do not use Custom Additive. Instead, go to Materials and create the Product and Batch so that it will populate the Addition dropdown.
Specifying Additive Quantities
Blended has embedded calculators within the addition workflow that help winemakers determine how much of an additive to use. Below are the ways to specify quantity within Blended.
Fixed Amount
Fixed Amount is the mode to use if you know the exact weight or volume of the addition you want to make. This is often because the addition doesn't need to scale with the lot volume or you've already calculated the amount.
You start by selecting the option for a Fixed Amount addition. Enter the exact weight or volume of the additive in the provided input field. If the additive exists in your materials inventory, you can choose which inventory batch to use.
When you record the addition, Blended will deduct the amount from the on-hand quantity of that additive. If you run out of one batch and need to use another, you can add multiple batches by clicking the '+' button next to the quantity input.
If the additive isn't in your materials inventory, it won't show you options for batch selection.
Concentration
The concentration addition mode in Blended allows you to specify the amount of additive based on its concentration. This can either be in W/V units (e.g., grams per liter) or unitless (e.g., V/V, which reduces to % or ppm).
To use this mode, you input the concentration value, and Blended multiplies this by the lot volume to calculate the exact amount of additive needed. This is helpful for adding substances like yeast, which you might add at a specific rate, such as 1 gram per gallon.
Blended also offers unit conversion options to give you flexibility. For example, if the calculator outputs the amount in grams but you'd prefer to see it in pounds, you can select a different unit for the Target quantity, and Blended will convert it for you.
Measurement Target
Measurement Target addition mode in Blended allows you to add an ingredient to reach a specific measurement value in your wine lot. This is helpful for precise adjustments where you need to achieve a set target, such as a certain level of SO2 or pH.
To set a target value, first choose the measurement you want to target. Blended will display the last recorded value for that measurement from your lot's history. If no value is available or if you have a more recent measurement, you can manually enter the latest value in the field.
Next, enter the target value you want to achieve. Blended uses this target to calculate the amount of additive needed for your lot's current volume. The calculation details are shown below the target value for verification.
Blended supports multiple types of measurements for the Measurement Target addition mode, including:
Free SO2
pH
Total Acidity (TA)
Brix or Specific Gravity (SG)
Alcohol by Volume (ABV)
Volatile Acidity (VA)
If you need to change the units of the calculated value, you can do so next to the Calculated value field.
For straightforward additions like adding 20 ppm of SO2, input the target value (e.g., 20 ppm) and set the last value to 0 ppm. Blended will handle the calculation to add the correct amount for the specified increase.
Using Built-In Calculators
SO2 Additions
To use the SO2 calculator in Blended, first navigate to the lot for which you want to make the addition. Click on the Additions menu button and select the appropriate option for SO2 addition.
In the SO2 calculator interface, you'll see fields for Target value and Last value. The Target value is the level of Free SO2 concentration you aim to achieve. The Last value represents the current Free SO2 concentration in the lot, which Blended may fill in automatically based on the latest recorded measurement. You can also enter this value manually if needed.
Once you have entered the Target value and Last value, Blended will calculate the exact amount of Potassium Metabisulfite (KMBS) needed to reach your target. The result is displayed along with a brief explanation of the calculation process, ensuring you understand how the number was derived.
If you need to change the units for the calculation, you can do so next to the Calculated value field. This is handy if you prefer to see the result in different units like pounds instead of grams.
If you wish to make an addition without considering a previous measurement, simply set the Last value to 0 ppm and enter your desired increase in the Target value field. For example, to add enough KMBS to raise the Free SO2 by 20 ppm, input 20 ppm as the Target value and 0 ppm as the Last value.
Other Calculators
Blended includes several built-in calculators to help determine addition quantities. These calculators are useful when you need to achieve specific measurement targets during your winemaking process.
KMBS to reach a Free SO2 target
Acid additions to reach a pH or TA target
Water additions to reach a brix or SG target
Sugar additions to reach a brix or SG target
Honey additions to reach an SG target
Spirits additions to reach an ABV target
KMBS to reach a Free SO2 target: This calculator helps you determine the amount of Potassium Metabisulfite (KMBS) needed to reach your desired Free SO2 level. Enter the current and target Free SO2 values, and Blended will calculate the required amount.
Acid additions to reach a pH or TA target: Use this calculator to adjust your lot's pH or Titratable Acidity (TA). Input your current and target pH or TA values, and Blended will compute the amount of acid to add.
Water additions to reach a brix or SG target: This tool calculates the water required to achieve a specific brix or Specific Gravity (SG) target. Provide your current and desired brix or SG values, and the calculator will determine the necessary water volume.
Sugar additions to reach a brix or SG target: This calculator is used to add sugar to achieve a target brix or SG. Enter your current and target values, and Blended will tell you how much sugar to add.
Honey additions to reach an SG target: For mead-making, this calculator helps you reach a target SG by adding honey. Input your current and desired SG, and Blended will calculate the required honey amount.
Spirits additions to reach an ABV target: This tool is used to add spirits to reach a specific Alcohol By Volume (ABV) level. Provide your current and target ABV, and the calculator will determine the volume of spirits to add.
When using these calculators, simply choose the measurement you want to target and input the current and desired values. Blended will use this information to compute the exact amount of additive needed for your lot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can add custom additives. Select your lot and choose Custom Addition from the Addition menu.
Yes, you can change the units for the target quantity in the addition interface. Select the desired unit next to the Target quantity field.
Large additions can increase the volume of the lot. Blended will notify you of this change and adjust the lot volume accordingly, ensuring accurate records.
On mobile, tap on a lot from the Production tab to view its details. You can then do additions from the round orange action button in the lower right corner.