I picked up an Australian Chardonnay kit off of Amazon Warehouse deals (Chateau Classico 6 week kit, ~ 16 L). I've done a couple of these kits (all whites) when they hit the Warehouse for ~$50 and am happy with them. I'm thinking of kicking this one off here soon and wanted to see what ideas people have to tweak an Aussie Chard.
- Planning on making to 6 gallons
- I usually add ~2 handfuls of untoasted oak chips to the primary. Planning on doing this.
- I've added a couple of super ripe and frozen bananas to white wine kits in the past. Seems to add body with no banana flavor. Leaning towards this.
- I hear a lot about raisins. I've done this in a couple of red wine kits but I'm not 100% sure for this one. Would this "flavor" layer make sense in an Aussie chard? Would use white raisins, not red.
- Extracts, dried fruits? Are Aussie chards supposed to have "fruity" flavors to them?
- What about oak? I have some American oak spirals, medium toast. I like oak, this is most likely going to get a spiral or two but not so much it's like eating a tree.
- Carbonate half and make some sparkling wine? Is Chardonnay a good base for sparkling wine?
- Planning on making to 6 gallons
- I usually add ~2 handfuls of untoasted oak chips to the primary. Planning on doing this.
- I've added a couple of super ripe and frozen bananas to white wine kits in the past. Seems to add body with no banana flavor. Leaning towards this.
- I hear a lot about raisins. I've done this in a couple of red wine kits but I'm not 100% sure for this one. Would this "flavor" layer make sense in an Aussie chard? Would use white raisins, not red.
- Extracts, dried fruits? Are Aussie chards supposed to have "fruity" flavors to them?
- What about oak? I have some American oak spirals, medium toast. I like oak, this is most likely going to get a spiral or two but not so much it's like eating a tree.
- Carbonate half and make some sparkling wine? Is Chardonnay a good base for sparkling wine?