Recent content by Tetrarch

WE VR Cab Sav €57 Great value and award winner

WE instructions have changed for most kits, looks like extended maceration even in kits that do not include grape packs.

Did you notice any differences with the added time?

How long did it take to ferment at this lower temperature?

Surely you do not mean a sugar addition post fermentation? Have you a recommendation for improving the wine aroma. What acid do you use?

What quantities of sugar, plum and blackberries did you use and why did you select these additions and amounts?

Has anyone tried adding crushed or squeezed table grapes to add body/increase tds?

You mentioned earlier that you "dropped" the pectinase, do you mean that you didn't add it? How has the oak powder worked out? I'm suprised that there was an oak addition to a PN kit.

How soon after pitching do you notice the kt aroma and is it more or less noticable in the higher end kits? I don't understand why the kits win so many prizes in competition. Time and the addition of skins does seem to make a difference. Another thread indicated that the manufacturers never...

I have used an aroma enzyme containing arabinase, pectinase and beta-glycosidase, on a Winexpert VR Cab Sauv, it has just gone to carboy storage for a few months and there is a noticable difference in aroma compared to previous brews of the same kit. The Eclipse range that contain grape packs...

Have you tried using enzymes? I have used a multi aroma enzyme that is showing promising results. I suspect that the concentrating process creates unfermentable sugars which results in that characteristic aroma/taste.

€130 ($135) on this side of the pond and worth it.

I received this kit today mail order, the box was already open. Can someone describe what the content should be? I think it may be missing oak cubes.

Has anyone tried adding table grapes and how did turn out? I think I will try an experiment as follows: Crush, press and freeze, possibly throw away the juice to avoid affecting the ki varietal; Thaw and add to must in a muslin bag; If neccessary, adjust acidity and sugars. I am assuming...

Can supermarket grapes be added to improve a kit?