Recent content by plato25

Hi all I’ve got a real ongoing problem. Simply put all the wines I have made stop fermenting at about SG 1.002 to 1.004. They Al fast v slightly sweet. They were meant to be dry reds. I even bought a whit wine kit and followed instruction to the letter except racking at 0.996. Reason is...

Thx. Yes I have. One thing is patience. It took off like a volcano! Now fermenting a a much slower rate. So, settled down nicely. Hopefully a good drinkable wine

Thx for your prompt reply. Very useful. I do make up a stater bottle at the end of day 2 but did not follow through as described in your post. A massive mistake on my part. I should have done as described in your link. Onward and wiser now. I’ll give it a bit more time and in the...

I have just started a new WinExpert Classic red (Merlot) Followed instructions to the letter. 2 1/2 days in no sign of fermentation starting. Not even those minute bubbles around the surface which are usually a first sign. Question. Leave it alone fo a few more days before worrying? Temp...

Hi Thx. It may yet come to that so I’ll have to look up how to measure SO2

Thx. I didn’t know that. Learn something new every day

Hi sour_grapes I always use an hydrometer now.

Hi Bob Thx. I have been doing that. I was concerned that I could be over doing it and introducing too much oxygen. That said wine smells good so I assume it’s OK for the moment at least. Maybe time is the solution. I’m not in any hurry now, having resigned myself to a long wait.

Hi all I’ve been away for a few days in order to do as suggested. ie transfer with plenty of splashing. First time I had about 3” of “foam in the receiving 25l carboy. Obviously a lot of gas coming out. Added yeast and left for 34 hours. No fermention. So repeated the prices. Slightly less...

Soon my first 5 gallons. Proceeding perfectly. I had added some more sugar and again perfect fermentation. After few days checked SG - 1.040. I though I would add a bit more sugar (as syrop), picked up the wrong bottle and mixed thoroughly into the wine. Realised my mistake a few minutes...

Hi Many thanks for your detailed and interesting reply. It all makes absolute sense. No need for all this paraphernalia for small quantities at home. I’m just an addicted to hedgers for no real reason. As a grandpa who made (many years ago) some of the best wine I have ever tasted I...

Hi all I’m thinking of building a wine pump/filter setup. I know that the AIO pump is the best option but it’s not available here in the UK and is beyond my budget even without shipping costs. I have a couple of 5 gallon carboys and won’t “enjoy’ moving them around, Hence the need for a...

Or a kit but I drank some dried bilberry wine after 10/12 years. Perfect. One of the best wines I have ever drunk, incl commercial wines

Today took a 2ng SG. It’s now 1.030 after week. Last week it was 1.040. So progress is happening. Just need to wait now - abt a month.

Thx. I’ll put all down to experience.