🍷 Racking cane (siphon)

A siphon, or racking cane, is a flexible hose through which wine is moved from one container to another by gravity. The siphon principle has been known for ages: liquid is first drawn into the tube, and then it flows on its own as long as the container it is taken from stands higher than the one it is poured into.

What the winemaker needs it for. During maturing, sediment falls to the bottom of the container: yeast and fine particles. If the wine is simply poured out, the sediment is stirred up and the wine turns cloudy. A siphon lets you take clear wine from the top without disturbing the sediment. This operation is called racking, and the sediment stays behind.

The end of the tube is lowered not to the bottom but a few centimetres above it. The wine moves calmly, without foam or splashing, so it touches air as little as possible. A rigid tube is often used to hold the end at the right height.

The siphon is especially popular with home winemakers and small wineries. Large plants move wine with pumps. Alcohol is for adults.