Must Treatment

White musts are often cloudy and settling is desirable to allow separation of the suspended materials. Such measures as prior addition of sulfur dioxide and lowering of the temperature during settling help prevent fermentation and allow the suspended material to settle normally. In many areas wineries centrifuge the white must to remove the solids. In this process a strong pulling force is created by circular motion. Musts are sometimes pasteurized, inactivating undesirable enzymes that cause browning. The addition of pectin-splitting enzymes to the musts to facilitate pressing is uncommon. Bentonite, a type of clay, may be added to musts to reduce total nitrogen content and facilitate clarification.