Recent content by Joecmk

I did add a bit of Chocolat That's a good idea with the red kit..didn't know you could freeze the unused portion.

I also did a double batch of the Chocolate Raspberry kit(fermented each separately and later combined). I have not started the Toasted Caramel yet. I guess I was expecting something different based on the reviews but it's okay. Probably have to let it age a bit and try again in a few months...

1 -2 weeks. Check every few days as it absorbs the oak pretty quick.

Marbles and racking to a smaller carboy obviously is best. Using gas is new to me. I bought a bundle pack so I have a lot to play with. Testing it on one carboy with a decent amount of headspace so I'll see how that one goes.

I've used Wine Preserver gas for one of my carboy that has a lot of space left over. Just makes me nervous because you can't tell how much you actually put in and not sure how long it actually lasts. Seems to work though.

That's what I do as well. I either use a smaller carboy and if I still have some space I add the glass marbles to reduce the space. Or, I just rack into a 3 gallon and then use one gallon jugs for the remainder. Works for me.

I used the Vinters Best Peach wine base and I am not particularly happy with the way it came out. Smelt great while it was fermenting but the taste is so-so. So now I have 5 gallons of this aging in my carboy and not sure what to do with it. I did mix some with a Chardonnay that I made as well...

It was a 3oz pack that was sold by Midwest Supplies for the 6 gallon batch. Taste it often as it absorbs the oak flavor pretty quickly.

I actually did two of the kits separately but at the same time them combined them together in the carboy. Bottled a few days ago.

I just finished the Apres Chocolate Raspberry kit which is similar. It's dark like a port wine and delicious. Just follow the instructions in the kit and it will be fine.

I'm making my second batch of the Super Tuscan kit. You said you added extra oak...which type of oak did you add? Did the extra tannin you added make a notable difference?

To degass my wine I've been using a vacuum pump/degassing kit in my glass carboy. Works really well.

I followed the directions that came with the kit which will yield a great tasting wine. The Bordeaux cubes were in addition to the supplied cubes and added post filtering.

New to the site...I used a Bordeaux Blend (cubes) on my Super Tuscan wine kit. . I really like the way it came out.