Tonight I started 2 WinExpert Classic kits. Diablo Rojo and Merlot.
I started 2 kits previous that are ready to bottle in 2 more weeks. I still plan to bottle half of each and bulk age the rest in a 3 gallon carboy. Those were Pinot Gris (Wineco) and Shiraz (WinExpert), both premium kits. This time I am trying 4 week kits to figure out where my tastes are. I will likely do the same, bottle half, bulk age the rest so I can note changes over the months as the rest matures.
I Followed both kits instructions, but chaptalized up to 1.095 on the DR and 1.100 on the Merlot. Roughly a cup to 2 per kit. I added the 2 included oak kits to both.
I just bought another load of used wine equipment. I couldn't buy the bottles for the 100$ I paid for it all, but I was mostly interested in the Buon Vino filter. I have to unload some equipment now, though. I have 3 corkers and at a minumum triples of just about everything else. My Skeeter Pee was clear for days after I racked it, no sediment, but when I bottled it there was a very fine 'fluff' that settled on the bottom after a few days. This inspired the filter hunt.
Anyway! I was wondering if I can skip the K-meta-sorbate pack and just use a 1/4 tsp of K-meta once I rack. I have been reading that sorbate can cause off flavors and is included just to give beginners the best chance of success. I was VERY diligent in my sanitizing and I am confident that it was at least suffient, if not bordering on obsessive.
The Diablo Rojo has a reserves pack (backsweetening). If I filter, would I be ok to skip sorbate on this one as well?
Is it common practice amongst users here to filter most or all of your wine?
Are reds filtered as often as whites/blushes, is it as much for flavor as visual clarity?
Cheers!
I started 2 kits previous that are ready to bottle in 2 more weeks. I still plan to bottle half of each and bulk age the rest in a 3 gallon carboy. Those were Pinot Gris (Wineco) and Shiraz (WinExpert), both premium kits. This time I am trying 4 week kits to figure out where my tastes are. I will likely do the same, bottle half, bulk age the rest so I can note changes over the months as the rest matures.
I Followed both kits instructions, but chaptalized up to 1.095 on the DR and 1.100 on the Merlot. Roughly a cup to 2 per kit. I added the 2 included oak kits to both.
I just bought another load of used wine equipment. I couldn't buy the bottles for the 100$ I paid for it all, but I was mostly interested in the Buon Vino filter. I have to unload some equipment now, though. I have 3 corkers and at a minumum triples of just about everything else. My Skeeter Pee was clear for days after I racked it, no sediment, but when I bottled it there was a very fine 'fluff' that settled on the bottom after a few days. This inspired the filter hunt.
Anyway! I was wondering if I can skip the K-meta-sorbate pack and just use a 1/4 tsp of K-meta once I rack. I have been reading that sorbate can cause off flavors and is included just to give beginners the best chance of success. I was VERY diligent in my sanitizing and I am confident that it was at least suffient, if not bordering on obsessive.
The Diablo Rojo has a reserves pack (backsweetening). If I filter, would I be ok to skip sorbate on this one as well?
Is it common practice amongst users here to filter most or all of your wine?
Are reds filtered as often as whites/blushes, is it as much for flavor as visual clarity?
Cheers!