Recent content by RJBanks

Thanks to you as well Dugger. I really appreciate your help. Time to get started!

Thanks Wade! I somehow knew you were going to be the one coming to the rescue. Do I use the bag for the oak chips and let the grape skins float freely or the other way around?

So I got my kit and set up to start and found a few extra goodies in this kit that I don't know the what when wheres or whys about. The kit came with both oak chips and oak cubes, an infusion bag, dehydrated grapes and a packet of metatartaric acid. The instructions make no mention of the oak...

IMO one can't go wrong with a CC kit. M two fav's are Cellar Craft and US Elite. Both of these companies make a wine that is by far on the top of my list. Enjoy my friend.........Be sure to age it for at least 6 months minimum before you start drinking it...I know it's tough but well worth...

Sad to say but yes they do. I'm now thinking of getting the ported BB's and try that method. Any other suggestions with the Super Transfer Pump. So I hear you sell various pumps.

Thanks guys. I used to use a vacuum setup but I am now starting to use the Better Bottles and learned (the hard way) that they don't do so well with the vacuum. This is called the Super Transfer Pump. It's the same kind of pump Runningwolf was selling a few months back.

I just purchased a transfer pump made by the Vintage Shop. Used it for the first time and was suprised at the amount of air it produces on the outlet side. The wine was very airieated and almost foamy. Lots of bubbles coming through the outlet tube along with the wine. I spoke with the guy I...

Finished and ready to bottle looks and smells wonderful but has a bitter aftertaste. Is this normal for this kit? Final SG after adding F-Pack is 1.020. Should this smooth out on its own. If so how long? Don't really want to add a conditioner with such a high SG already. Any suggestions?

I use my own from the last batch but for the first one I made I used a GSM I found at Albertsons. I believe it was an Aussie label. Found it in the "Blended Red" section.

Thanks Wade....and Dugger.... YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!! I'm going to use the powder in the primary and one spiral. Thanks again.

Hardly!!!!!!! You have been my Wine Mentor from day one.......So I'd say more like Chateau Breone.

Thanks Wade. (You responded while I was posting my thanks to Dugger). So to understand you correctly, you suggest I only use the spirals and and omit the powder and to start them in the primary and transfer them all the way through? The manufacturer states the spirals are good for 6 weeks and...

Thanks Dugger for responding. I really like the final taste with the spirals (in the Merlot and Zin) I just don't want to over oak this kit. It came with oak powder for the primary, I don't know if I should use both, or just the spirals in the aging or in both the primary and the aging...

I am getting ready to start a CC Showcase Chateau du Pays and am inte3rested in using oak spirals. I am just beginning to learn these oak alternatives and have been happy with the results thus far. I used them for aging merlot and Zinfendal kits. I am requesting opinions or directions on if...

Go for it! ! ! ! I am starting my third batch. I (we) love this wine. I call it our steak (and/or) pasta wine. Do bottle age it for at least 3 or 4 months before you drink it. The first time I made it I was really disapointed with the taste at bottling time. I checked it again after about six...