Product Information
Our wine-grade bentonite is sourced from the historic Askanian deposits in Georgia—a region with over 8,000 years of winemaking heritage. Specially formulated for the wine industry, this premium bentonite clay delivers exceptional clarification and protein stabilization for white, rosé, and sparkling wines.
The Georgian Wine Connection: Georgia, recognized as the birthplace of wine with archaeological evidence dating back to 6000 BCE, has used bentonite clay for wine clarification for millennia. The traditional Georgian term “pasting” (derived from “clay”) refers to the time-honored practice of using bentonite to clarify and stabilize wine—a technique that has now become the global standard for achieving protein-stable, crystal-clear wines.
How It Works: Our bentonite’s negatively charged montmorillonite plates create a powerful electrostatic attraction with positively charged, heat-unstable proteins (chitinases and thaumatin-like proteins). This binding process forms neutral flocculates that settle rapidly, removing haze-forming compounds while preserving wine quality and character.
Manufacturing Excellence:
- High dispersion properties for optimal protein adsorption
- Rapid flocculation and settling for efficient processing
- Low impact on wine volume loss
- Available in powder or granular form for different application methods
Key Applications:
- White wine protein stabilization and clarification
- Prevention of protein haze in bottled wines
- Protection against iron and copper casse (wine diseases)
- Removal of fermentation by-products and colloidal haze
- Juice clarification before fermentation
- Sparkling wine base stabilization
Benefits
- Complete Protein Stabilization – The only fining agent proven to permanently stabilize wine proteins and prevent haze formation after bottling, ensuring long-term clarity and shelf stability
- Rapid Flocculation & Settling – Forms quickly settling flakes under acidic conditions, reducing processing time and minimizing wine loss during racking
- Metal Ion Binding – Negatively charged surfaces effectively bind iron and copper cations, preventing oxidative wine diseases such as iron casse and copper casse
- Minimal Sensory Impact – Unlike proteinaceous fining agents, bentonite has negligible effect on wine aromatics and flavor profile when properly dosed
- High Protein Adsorption Capacity – Minimum 25% protein adsorption rate ensures efficient removal of heat-unstable proteins with lower dosage requirements
- Versatile Application – Suitable for use at multiple stages: juice settling, during fermentation, or pre-bottling treatment, with flexibility to match your winemaking process
- Heritage & Quality Assurance – Sourced from Georgia’s legendary Askanian deposits, the same terroir that pioneered winemaking 8,000 years ago, backed by centuries of proven performance
Specifications
Basic Properties
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Product composition | Natural montmorillonite bentonite from Askan deposit |
| Physical form | Powder or granules |
| Moisture content | 10-12% |
| Organoleptic properties | Odorless and tasteless |
| Color | Light beige to cream |
Chemical & Physical Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Methylene blue adsorption (MBA) | 300-400 mg.eq/100g |
| Swelling index | 16-22 ml/2g |
| pH of water suspension | 8.5-10.0 |
| Sand fraction content in suspension | ≤ 4.0% |
| Protein adsorption capacity | ≥ 25.0% |
| Thixotropy and sediment | ≤ 1.0% |
Purity Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Substances soluble in 10% acetic acid | ≤ 5.0 g/100g |
| Calcium content in acetic extract | ≤ 60.0 mg/100g |
| Iron content in acetic extract | ≤ 80.0 mg/100g |
| Flocculation under acid influence | Rapidly settling flakes |
Typical Dosage Rates
| Wine Type | Recommended Rate |
|---|---|
| White wines (post-fermentation) | 50-400 g/hL (0.5-4 g/L) |
| White wines (juice fining) | 100-600 g/hL |
| Rosé/Blush wines | 50-300 g/hL (bench trial required) |
| Sparkling wine base | 50-200 g/hL |
Note: Always conduct laboratory bench trials to determine optimal dosage for each specific wine
Standards Compliance
- Georgian Enterprise Standard STP GR 22983003-001-2017
- Industry Standard OST 18-49-71 “Bentonites for the wine industry”
- OIV (International Organisation of Vine and Wine) approved
- Custom specifications available upon request
Packaging Options
- Big-Bag containers: 1,000 kg or 1,250 kg
- Polypropylene bags: 25 kg
- Bulk delivery available for large-scale operations
Storage & Shelf Life
- Store in dry conditions to prevent moisture absorption
- Shelf life: 24 months from production date when properly stored
- Keep away from strong odors
Documentation
Technical Documentation Available:
- ✓ Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
- ✓ Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS)
- ✓ Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- ✓ Quality Certificates
Please contact our sales team to request documentation or create an account for full access to technical resources.
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