Recent content by georgeburgin

I recently tried a Merlot from Browne Family Vineyards - it was amazing... I have WE Eclipse Stag's Leap Merlot that I'm thinking of simulating the below specs from the Browne website. Anyone with experience using this yeast? Alcohol: 14.2% Oak: 44% New French Oak Aged: 22 Months Yeast: Andante

I would have a question about how cloudy the wine is too...

I have five of these little babies... At first it wasn’t cool to see how my wines fermented over a timeline and the internal temp of the fermenter. These days I’m just using them to check OG and FG. They’ve helped me monitor a failing fermentation before it goes fully stuck. Very helpful and...

30 x 6 gal = 180 gal, all premium wine kits comprised of all RJS, WE, Passport Limited Editions and balance in Eclipse.

I get my wife involved using our dishwasher. Our old DW has a "sanitize" feature and would sanitize in a short nine minute session. However, that DW bit the dust and we recently purchased a new one. Same brand, Bosch, and the "sanitize" feature on the new on takes a disappointing two hours...

Like what's already been stated, I too never add sorbate if I'm fermenting dry. If I'm going to back sweeten then I do. Like A_McG, I've never had a cork pop out...

I love the FastFerment 7.9g units. To date, I have made 40 batches of wine in my units from wine kits. Yes, I've learned a lot on how to efficiently use them and have it down now. Some of the biggest learnings: 1) Never put saw dust in the unit. Never. Not sprinkled in. Not even in a bag...

Fining agents, such as bentonite, are used to rapidly (within 8-10 days) clear wine. Wine will clear without it. The answer to your question is 'time'. Rack your wine in a carboy, top it off with similar wine and let time do it's work. I find that my wines are crystal clear within 6 months...

Does anyone have experience using Tannin Riche Extra? Directions say to add 3 weeks before bottling. I would like to add, and leave, for 12 months aging in a carboy. Has anyone tried this?

DoctorCAD, how long do you age in car it’s? And, with any oak?

jgmillr1, thanks for the info. Can you give more information related to your experience with frozen must?

From what you've said, I assume not your first kit just your first Cab kit. In my experience, you'll get a better finished product if you double (at least) the timelines in the instructions. Don't rush it...

You point to some interesting information. The average cost of the kit is $180. Since I never get 30 bottles (too much loss during racking) the cost per bottle is probably $7.00. The price of the wine I'm tasting at wineries is north of $40 and as much as $75 per bottle. One consistency...

Quick question - I realize it might not be a quick answer. I have been making wine kits the last couple of years. To date, I have made 35 high quality kits (top of line WE, RJS, MM and Master Vintner release 2016 kits (all four). At the same time, I have been visiting wineries in California...