How to tell if honey is fermenting?

[SouthAussieBeekeeper]

I have some honey and it has a mild "wine" smell to it. I'm not sure if this is just due to the strain, or whether it's because it's fermenting. I know that one can gain a measure of the moisture content to determine whether it'll ferment with time, but how can one determine whether honey has already experienced the early stages of fermentation?

[Van, Arkansas, USA]

Fermentation produces bubbles, the microbes that ferment have to breathe.

[Acebird]

It has the usually foam on top and when you unscrew the cap you can hear a little hiss.

[Beeboy01]

I've had some that would foam when stirred with a spoon.

[Acebird]

Yeah, and you can whip cream into a foam.  I am talking about honey you put in a jar and it has no foam.  A month later it does have foam... not from whipping.

[SouthAussieBeekeeper]

I don't see any bubbles or signs of gas. I just have that mild wine smell.

[BeeMaster2]

First thing I would do is find someone in your area/club that has a Refractometer and test it to see what the water content is.
Sometimes certain honeys will have a funny smell.
Jim

[Acebird]

I don't see any bubbles or signs of gas.

It isn't fermenting.

[Hops Brewster]

Take a sip.  If you feel warm and fuzzy after a few minutes, it's fermenting.