[Waldo]

Well, I have had two wine kits that I received for Christmas. An Orchard Breezin Blackberry Merlot and a Cellar Craft Porto Corinto. I have been intending to grt these statrted and at 2am this morning I decided it was time to "Get Er Done". I also decided to blend these 2 kits and hopefully it will turn out as good as I anticipate.
I blended the juice of both kits, added the bentonite from both kits, The oak powder from the Port kit, half the F-Pack from the Blackberry Merlot kit and at a beginningSG of 1.142 I pitched 2 packs of Lalvin EC118 which I had rehydrated in some warm water and orange juice mix. Them yeasties was already slobbering on that orange juice when I pitched it to my must so hang on and lets see what happens with this one. I kinda figure that ole lalvin is gonna give it up around 1.010 which shold give an ABV of around 17.5% which I think may be OK for this Port.





The yeasties are already working just 3 hrs after I pitched them

[u01dtj6]

17.5% ! Are you planning to back-sweeten it once it's done Waldo?

[Wade E]

He still has 1/2 the f=pac so Im assuming thats whats going in there but Waldo has been known to surprise us like mixing up these 2 kits to begin with. Who'd a thunk it! Does sound good though but Id leave a little of that Port kit alone to see what that tastes like by itself.

[Waldo]

As wade said, I still have almost half the f-pack from the Blackberry/Merlot kit as well as the f-pack from the Port kit I will be adding later. I may add the f-pack from the Port kit when I transfer to glass too.
Too late to try a little of the Port kit alone wade as they are both blended together.

[u01dtj6]

Sure does look like it will taste good! I've never known a Lalvin yeast to actively start bubbling after 3 hours. The wines I pitch with Lalvin yeast don't start until the second/third day although I've never used the EC118. Keep us updated with pics. Would love to see how they get along.

[Wade E]

Did you ever rehydrate them yeasties or make a starter?

[u01dtj6]

No I didn't - I just sprinkled the yeast on top, waited 30 minutes then stirred. I used the KV-1111 version, or I think that's what it's called.

[Waldo]

Fermentation is going nicely on this one. I gave it a good stirring this evening, snapped the lid down tight and put an airlock on it.....ahhhhh
patience shall prevail now !!!

[grapeman]

Bubbly goodness. Looks like another winner for Waldo!

[Wade E]

Looks like a nice brownie mix!