Recent content by CrownedBee

I'm starting this kit today. Definitely going to add one F-pack to the must to give it a boost, but I'm debating what to do with the other one. I want to keep this riesling on the dry side, but am worried that it'll turn too boozy if I add the second F-pack up front. And then there's the concern...

I bottled my GVM in October 2016 and have 23 bottles left. I was drinking it slowly because I didn't have a similar wine to switch to once it's gone, but with the VRM on deck... :b

I'm with Arne - letting it age will help. We have a JAOM that's nearing 2 years old, and it is so mellow. Lovely to sip, sweet and citrusy, with no bitterness. I did a grapefruit variant that is closer to 20 months old. Even though I removed a lot of the pith at fermentation, it was still too...

We have the Eclipse Chardonnay in bottle (pitched March 2016, bottled July 2016). In my opinion, it got good enough to share with other people around the 6 month mark (so September 2016). It's fallen off recently - I think it's less flavorful and less round on the tongue, if that makes any...

I've got the VRM on order. I'm hoping it's similar to the LE15 Gewurztraminer Verdehlo Muscat kit, which is one of my favorites so far.

Loving the cab sauv rose in my house, too. It's been in bottle 3 months (8 months old since pitching yeast). We plan to bring a bottle (or two) to Thanksgiving dinner. I think it'll pair great with turkey and cranberries!

RJ Spagnols En Primeur Winery Series German Riesling Gewurztraminer Winemaking Kit, please!!

I chose Standard Wine Kits, as I've only been in the hobby for a year and that was the simplest route for a beginner. The ingredients and instructions are conveniently packaged, and I don't have to worry about pH or the quality of the juice or any of the additives. Small changes, like trying...

Such great progress!! I was shocked at PA's liquor laws when I moved here from MI, so this is very exciting news. Cheers, everyone!

Opened up a bottle tonight! Strong apple on the nose, but it's moved to the back, flavor-wise. It's sweetened up a bit, too, but is maybe a little light on body for me. Overall, a very drinkable summer wine. I think it'd do well with a strawberry or two dropped in the bottle for a little...

We bottled this kit a few weeks ago. We added half the F-pack upfront to cut the final sweetness and boost the alcohol. Bottling was a bit of a disaster (we stirred up a bit too much sediment), and we've only tried one bottle so far. It was pretty good, though: moderate sweetness, not too boozy...

That's how I usually clean, too!! :D

I don't think there are any hard-and-fast rules for women and wine! Perfect example: I did Painting with a Twist this weekend (temps near 85F and ridiculous humidity) with six other women. We brought a 1.5L of Moscato, a bottle of honey mead, and 3 bottles of Chianti. No one drank any...

Hm, that's interesting. I quite like the fruit notes in it, so maybe I'll drink more of it up front. :h At this point, I would definitely purchase this kit again, and maybe split it like @dcbrown73 and oak half.

Wow!! What's the size of your brew room - an entire basement?!