Recent content by MN-winer

CPfan - yes I used the bentonite.

I'll definitely be more careful next time tightening it down. I think I did it pretty tight and I didn't see any tears but I did see a pair of wrinkles on the side of the filter so that might have allowed some stuff to go through. I guess i'm basically cold stabilizing now. In my basement...

It was not a torn filter. I added Sparkaloid as mentioned in an earlier post and it looks to be clearing when I checked it last night. What is cold stabilization?

That tear is a distinct possibility. I will look at the filter I tossed in the trash tonight. I added a dose of Sparkaloid the other day and that didn't help either. I read that someone suggesting heating it up to 75 and degassing so I might do that as well. Normally when I filter the wine it...

Hey all, Long time member but haven't posted anything in a few years. Hoping to get some expert opinions on something I started a Wine Expert Aussie Chard a month ago or so, followed the instructions through the clearing stage. Everything looked good and the wine appeared to be clear. I...

My wife likes a very sweet reisling also. I've made the Columbia Valley one from WE and it wasn't sweet enough for her even though it had an f-pack. You can make this but then taste test before you bottle and add more sugar syrup until she likes it. I made a VR We reisling with tons of sugar...

I had a taste of the WE Petit Verdot that came out a few years ago and it was one of the best wine I ever tasted.

I've done a VR red and wasn't happy with it - VR Pinot. I've heard some of the others are better. You should see if you can get a CC Sterling Old Vines Zin. I did that one two years ago and its been the best value for a kit in my opinion. I've made kits that were better but not at this...

I got a feeling like I over oaked it. I did not do splits but will avoid opening for a year or so since i have lots of supply right now. It was a toasted oak spiral - just one for the 6 gallons. I hope it mellows out over time. Thanks all.

Is it normal for this wine to be slightly bitter at bottling? I started this kit in June and just now bottled it. I made this according to instructions but added an oak spiral because I like lots of oak. Do you think the bitter taste is because of the extra oak I added? I just assumed that...

I made some Blueberry wine with wild MN blueberries a few years ago and I did not like the flavor even with sugar added, so I decided to try making some port. I took another batch of blueberries, boiled them to extract the flavor added sugar and about a cup of brandy per gallon. It turned out...

I guess I'm wondering why you are making VR kits if you don't like a thin wine. Those are starter kits and aren't priced to provide a full bodied wine. I would add another $30 to the $60 price and step up to a Selection internation or Selection original. I think you will be happier with your...

I would top up with a lower priced similar wine. you won't notice any change so don't bother getting an expensive wine. You probably won't notice if its a different red either.

I've tasted this NZ Pinot and it is excellent after waiting a year after bottling. Good luck!!

I've done this kit and there is no F pak. I'd suggest adding some simple syrup. I did and it was much better. A totally dry reisling is rare even in wine stores. My kit had an odd scent for the first few months, and wasn't really super tasty until after 9 months or so and then it was great...