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Francois: This was a dry wine with no F-pack. You sure you're thinking of the same wine?

Sadly it was a limited edition. I picked mine up for about $120 shipped.

Started in on my first 750ml a couple of weeks ago and my second just now. Man, this is a great wine. It was born about 14 months ago and its finally ready and I expected it won't peak for another year or more, hopefully I can save some. Here're my tasting notes: Beautiful nose with aromas of...

Opened my first 750ml of this guy a couple days ago. I opened the bottle 24 hours before testing it. It was even better the second day (though it wouldn't have lasted except I forgot about it). The nose is not overly expressive, some blackberry, black currant and after lots of air a hint of...

I consider it an early drinker. I've also got the bulk of mine saved for warm weather this year. I added the full f-pack (though I subbed the yeast for one that doesn't happen to metabolize 30% of the malic acid). It tastes more than "barely" off-dry to me. I wish it were drier, so I'd add at...

Wineh meant the Eclipse Cab and the Woodbridge are both from Lodi AVA in California. IIRC, I enjoyed the Wolf Blass a good bit more than the Mondavi (though its been a couple years since I've had either).

I think lots of folks have made this kit as is and it seems pretty universally appreciated. Sounds like yours is about 3-1/2 months from pitching. I'd leave this alone for another 3-6 months before considering any acid adjustment. And even then, do bench tests!

http://www.winemakingtalk.com/forum/f84/wine-expert-california-moscato-44657/ I may make this kit for my mother-in-law. Perhaps I'll split it into 2x3gal batches, one by the books for her, one at 12% abv and barely off-dry for me.

How long? You gotta go by taste. It depends on which yeast. For D47 I usually go about 8 weeks (starting with 3/wk stirrings and tapering to about 1/wk). CY3079 autolyzes a bit faster so I typically go less. It also depends on how much lees you have in secondary (a dusting or a thick blanket?).

I've only ever used glass and never had any problems. And I had two dozen carboys of assorted sizes at one point. That said, I've only ever owned Italian made carboys (and a few Mexican, when they still manufactured them). They're a couple dollars more, but well worth it. I've heard lots of...

I just stumbled upon this thread, so I realize it might not be useful in this instance...but, for future reference, here's a great link to yeast choices (from Lallemand/Lalvin/Enoferm). I haven't used this yeast for port (or anything else) but it has this to say about Lalvin Rhone 2226: Lalvin...

Michael David's 2012 Petite Petit, 85% Petite Sirah/15% Petit Verdot. Excellent

So this kit doesn't come with an f-pack? Personally, I would give it 3 months in bulk aging, then taste and decide, as it surely won't be drinking its best for at least 6 months from pitching. You could also bottle some dry, then backsweeten the rest and decide which you prefer as it ages in the...

I know one of our forum sponsors, WineGrapesDirect, sells from Amazon (and eBay). I've been eyeing their Chenin Blanc for a while...

Venison goes really well with a nice red wine!

Venison goes really well with a nice red wine!

I have a hard time saying no to sales so I bought enough kits to last me until late 2015 as well. I mostly make wine in the winter/spring as spring/summer find me quite busy outdoors.

I agree this post warranted its own new post. However, to answer your question, I have never added Alexanders concentrate to a kit wine. Being the tinkerer that I am though I would go for it. The Vintner's Reserve kits produce a wine often considered lacking in body and lower in gravity. I added...

I typically switch out the yeast (rehydrating in GoFerm and dosing with Fermaid K if the yeast is nutrient-demanding compared to the supplied yeast) and add several yeast-based additives. In this case I used BA11 yeast, 11g Opti-White, 1.7g Tannin Blanc. I usually add Booster Blanc to whites as...

I haven't done too many kits, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the CC Sterling Pinot Grigio. I tweaked it, but at 9 months of age it was ready and drinking wonderfully. At a year, I have just a handful of bottles left (with most earmarked for gifts) but (eventually) I'll make this one again. In the...