Recent content by mcissell

Can someone explain to me what would happen chemically with the wine that would alter the pH over time if I just let it sit? My engineering mind is having a tough time wrapping my head around that aspect. Probably also worth noting that the pH and TA readings were identical between the first...

I was giving serious consideration to cold stabilizing as a means of lowering the TA, but I read on one of the winemaking sites (actually a Pambianchi article in Winemaker Mag) that cold stabilizing at a low pH (<3.65) actually LOWERS the pH further due to the relative loss of potassium as it...

Ok, so let's just say for the sake of argument that this is how the wine was designed to taste. I let it sit, and maybe it evolves, maybe it doesn't. I oak it, and maybe it creates complexity, but maybe it doesn't. Let's say I still find it to be too tart a year down the road...two...

I did add the oak chips that came with the kit prior to fermentation, but I can't appreciate any of the oak flavor, due, at least in part, to the tartness of the wine. However, I've read on other forum posts that this kit can benefit from additional oak, and I typically enjoy bolder, drier...

<sigh> Wait and see it is! Haha. Realizing that there's going to be variability in personal preference, what is a typical length of time for oaking a wine like this? I have 2 packages of 3oz medium toast Hungarian oak cubes.

I did degas with a drill/whip, so that part is adjusted for at least. With regard to the time aspect, I'm not planning on touching this for at least another 10-12 months, and I realize that time is a powerful tool, but is it really feasible to think that waiting even a year will compensate for...

Hi, everyone. I'm currently about 2.5 months into my first batch of kit wine, an RJ Spagnols En Premeur Super Tuscan, and I'm having trouble with the acidity. I've followed all of the directions other than the Potassium Sorbate addition, which I skipped to avoid the off flavors, but I have a...

I've been brewing for a number of years, and decided to take a go at making wine. I've started with an RJS En Primeur Super Tuscan kit, and everything has been going well for the first 6 days, but as I was getting ready to rack from primary to secondary, I saw this little bastard on top of my...