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I would love to know how this works out. During my "open discussion" with the family and friends who will be drinking this it was suggested to divide and oak one half. But I have only one three gal carboy. And then I was thinking how the kits end up being five gal. After racking and such and...

That is awesome! I like how the sinks are big enough for the barrel to lay sideways in the sink. I am jealous! Still working between the kitchen and laundry room, but it works for now. I think you will have a much more smoother operation with the side by side sink with the counter right there...

Oak spiral spent two weeks in the carboy. Last week I bottled so that it will have some time to rest before we really bust into t thus summer....But, I have already succumbed to opening two bottles. This wine is already amazing. Even after going to a wine tasting event yesterday with about 20...

I added the fining agents this weekend. Seemed like a lot. Two packets each of chitosan and kieselsol. Yummy and rich. Will likely rack in a couple of weeks when I find some free time which is so hard to come by.

I guess I didn't see the reply above on SG. Sorry. I added water to bring it to 1.10. Today I racked since adding fining agents to let it clear one more time and afte some "careful" surveying of friends and family members (my mom who I am making this for and the friends who are likely to drink...

Admittedly I hate to read instructions and would rather go through the "discovery" process, I just have to say that I do love this vacuum pump! It is easy to use. I even figured out that the metal contraption in the middle is a button for a vacuum quick release to use during bottling. (Yes, my...

Sorry guys! we were talking about cleaning bottles right? bleach converts to salt, water and oxygen quickly (i also was referring to a diluted solution). The information below is straight from the Clorox website. Should you be in a situation sheer you need potable water....apparently there is...

I must apologize for my auto spell and errors!! I am better at typing on a keyboard over a touchpad. My laundry room sink is a hard plastic, but does not have the "rough" appearance as the typical garage sink and it is roughly 13-14" deep. It is not too deep. A good choice. My husband's...

I have to admire your willingness to make do. To address your question specifically, if you are resigned to using those sinks only, I would recommend installing both if you have the space. If you only have space for one, use the deeper sink. However my opinion; two sinks or double sink as...

One more side note.....before I bottle I add 1/4 tsp. of meta to the 5-6 gal. of wine itself! So......I am not sure how much is in your wine already, but I believe this is a standard "safety" practice before bottling wine. I would take this into consideration too. I have, mistakenly, bottled...

Have you considered making a diluted bleach solution? Day cares and moms make this up to sanitize toys, and surfaces.....Then run through dishwasher on hottest cycle. When my husband bottles beer, we wash bottles with that PBW (store upside down), put through dishwasher when ready and bottle...

Josh, no skins were included. Don't know why, but I still think it will turn out to be delicious. I made the cellar creat LR white blend from 2011 (marsanne rousanne Viognier ) and it was wonderful. I know the grapes are from dif. Regions, but since I was not disappointed with that one I felt...

Btw, it is a French merlot, Cabernet Sav., Petit Verdot blend.

UPS ground says I am to expect this shipment today! I am confident that it will turn out just fine. I am really considering getting another one if there is any left in stock, as it was a preorder. Will update when it arrives. Anyone else?

Aw, thanks Joe. It truly is a delay tactic to prevent the opening of some other reds I am trying to keep my hands off of too! But, I am also looking forward to trying this wine. Funny comment about your sons....I tell mine that they could study some related field and we will run a family...

Started this kit last week in primary. Came with two pkg of yeast: KI-V1116 and the 1118. I hope you all don't think me crazy, but I pitched the v1116 and another yeast instead of the second one included in kit. (D47). There was no oak included. Only the typical fining agents. I am making...

Update. I practiced bottling with water, which I would recommend to all new users. I also, for the sake of practice, and to eliminate any possible remaining gas racked the wine into another carboy (even though I was confident that it was degassed). That was pretty easy. Bottling went...

Going to use ours for the first time today to bottle. My husband talked me into following Steve's advice above to practice with water first, which I will (have to) do in order to avoid critique! Although I don't quite understand the name of each piece (what is the vacuum release and such) that...

Started mine in primary 2/16 using 212 yeast and a bit of nutrient and brew belt. It is cold here and it is still fermenting down. I am trying to be patient... Started at 1.10 and is now at 1.045 using my little gadget my husband got me for my birthday...refractometer ? Right :). Still...

Sorry, was out of town..no service there. I used lalvin 212 yeast with some nutrient on my zin. Just because I can't follow " rules". I have a little book my husband gave me that is comprehensive enough for me which describes some yeasts and the wines they are used for and why and the basics...