As an experienced sommelier and brewer, I can confidently say that filtering homemade wine is not necessary in most cases. Wine kits, which are commonly used for making homemade wine, typically have very low levels of suspended solid material. These kits are designed to produce clear and great-tasting wine without the need for extensive filtration.
Fining agents such as bentonite, Chitosan, isinglass, and Kieselsol are commonly used in winemaking to clarify the wine and remove any haze-causing proteins. These fining agents work by attracting and binding to the unwanted particles, making them easier to remove. They are highly effective in removing suspended solids and yeast, resulting in a clear and bright wine.
In fact, using fining agents is often enough to achieve a clear wine that will not only taste great but also age well. These agents are specifically chosen for their ability to target and remove the substances that can cause haze or cloudiness in wine.
I have personally made numerous batches of homemade wine using wine kits, and I have found that fining agents alone are sufficient to produce clear and visually appealing wines. The wines I have made using these kits have consistently turned out crystal clear and have been enjoyed by friends and family.
It is worth noting that there may be some instances where additional filtration is desired. For example, if you are making wine from fresh fruits or grapes, there may be a higher level of suspended solids that could benefit from additional filtration. In such cases, using a coarse filter or a gravity filter can help remove larger particles.
However, it is important to keep in mind that excessive filtration can strip the wine of its natural flavors and aromas. Fine filtration, such as using a sterile filter, can remove not only the unwanted particles but also some of the desirable elements that contribute to the wine's complexity.
While homemade wine does not necessarily need to be filtered, using fining agents like bentonite, Chitosan, isinglass, and Kieselsol can effectively clarify the wine and remove any haze-causing substances. These agents are specifically formulated to target and remove suspended solids and yeast, resulting in clear wine that will taste great and age well. However, in certain cases where there is a higher level of suspended solids, additional filtration may be desired, but it is important to be cautious not to over-filter and compromise the wine's flavor and character.