Also known as "Brix." The Balling scale on a hydrometer is commonly used by winemakers and commercial brewers in the same way the Specific Gravity scale is used by Brewers. The Balling scale estimates the percentage by weight of dissolved solids in the solution. That is, a reading of 19o on the Balling scale shows that the solution is composed of approximately 19% solids by weight. The "solids" are almost completely sugars, and the use of the balling scale assumes the reading to be synonymous with sugar content. Most wines begin in the 19o to 24o balling range, and ferment out to just below 0o. The Balling scale can thus be used to estimate alcohol content, since roughly one percent of alcohol is created for each reduction of two degrees balling. A hydrometer with a Potential Alcohol scale measures alcohol content more precisely.
A scale for measuring the specific gravity of a solution. Created by Carl Joseph Balling.
A measurement of specific gravity. A measurement of the amount of sugar in grape juice.
Actual degrees of Balling (°B). Degrees Balling may be determined by a hydrometer or "Balling spindle," which floats in the liquid to a level corresponding to sugar content, or by a refractometer, where a beam of light is deflected in direct proportion to the amount of sugar.
A unit of measurement found on some wine making hydrometers that indicates the sugar level of a liquid. A balling reading of 10 means that the liquid is 10 percent sugar by weight.
the name of a density scale for measuring sugar content in water solutions. Since grape juice is primarily sugar and water, the balling scale was used for a quick and easy "sugar analysis" of juice. The original Balling scale contained a slight inaccuracy however. Dr Brix discovered that and corrected it. Today the Brix scale is in actual use, but the terms Balling and Brix often are spoken of as if they were identical. The Balling (Brix) scale is simplicity itself: Each degree is equivalent to 1 percent of sugar in the juice. For example, grape juice that measures 15.5 degrees on the Balling or Brix scale contains approximately 15.5% sugar. richardgrantwine.com
The degree of sugar concentration in grape juice or wine.
A standard European measurement of the density of solutions, calibrated on the weight of cane sugar in solution. Measured in degrees.