[ajhughes]

Forgive me if this is a question previously asked and responded too...

I'm looking for a kit wine that makes a decent Malbec. I have read comments on a number of kits that suggest the finished wines don't exhibit typical Malbec traits.

Can anyone who has made the Cellar Classic Winery Series Chilean Malbec comment on the kit?

Maybe my question should be more open ended i.e. can someone recommend a Malbec kit that exhibits Malbec characteristics in the finished wine?

Many thanks,

Andrew

[winemaker_3352]

Welcome aboard Andrew!!!

You have come to the right place.

Unfortunately - I haven't made any wine from kits - i use fresh grapes and fruits - but there are several folks in this forum that do use kits and they will be around soon to give you their input on kits.

In the meantime - do you have all the necessary equipment and testing apparatus's?

[ajhughes]

Thanks for the welcome Jon.

I've done winemaking in the past at a place near where I live. I always wanted to try it at home but never had the space in our condo. We recently moved to a new house and I now have the space

The place I used, provided unconcentrated juice and I found the wines generally maintained most of the varietal characteristics one would expect. When I started reading about kits and some of the finished wines, some of the comments made me a little nervous.

I think I have all the equipment I need... I will be stopping in at my local shop in the next day or two to pick a last few things and my first kit(s). I'm just trying to decide what kits to start with based on wines I enjoy drinking.

Thanks again,

Andrew

[winemaker_3352]

Sounds like you are on your way.

As a suggestion - if you don't already have these items - i would get a hydrometer, Acid Test Kit, Potassium Metabisulphite Powder, and if you are bottling a floor corker.

[Wade E]

I make a lot of these Winery series but havent made that one. I have made the Cru Select a few years ago and man is it a wonderful wine. IMO it was very close to many commercial Malbecs from where it was sourced from.

[ajhughes]

Wade, that would be the Cru Select Platinum Chilean Malbec? If so, my retailer carries those as well, so I may give that one a shot instead if you've had success.

Thanks for the info.

[Wade E]

I cant really tell which one it truly s. it was a limited edition a few years back an I swear i remember it having a grape pack but not possitive. It was a Cru Select at the time and I usally dont buy any kits without the grape pack. They have added so much product since then in every category now that Im not sure, it may be the Winery Series that they have added as a regular. CPfan would probably know.

[cpfan]

Originally Posted by Wade E

CPfan would probably know.

I haven't the foggiest, but fortunately I have some notes on this...

Cru Select RQ Chilean Malbec (available Dec 2006) no grape skins
Cru Select RQ Aussie Bush Vines Grenache with Grape Skins (avail Apr 2007)

I think that this was the first year that the RQs included a grape skin kit, but I would have to dig thru paperwork to be sure. The above is all that my computerized notes tell me.

Steve

[Wade E]

As usual Steve somhow has the answer. I honestly couldnt remember, now Im actually recalling why i bought it though as the little old lady I used to buy most of my stuff from had this kit on sale as she had had it in her store for awhile most lilely because someone ordered and never picked it up. I say that because she doent stock tne higher end kits, usually just the Vino del Vida and Orchard Breezin.

[ajhughes]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the info. It sounds like my goal should be a high-end kit with grape skins if I want to have a good shot at maintaining the varietal characteristics.

Thanks again.