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  1. S

    Degassing with wine whip - glass carboy with lots of oak cubes present

    I have a question: Is it OK to use the wine whip with a whole bunch of oak cubes potentially rattling around the carboy? Or do they even rattle around? Maybe they just stay at the bottom and behave? I can't imagine any cubes gaining enough velocity to crack the glass, especially with frequent...
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    RJ Spagnols En Primeur Australian Cabernet Sauvignon

    Has anyone done the above kit? I really had my heart set on CC Showcase Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon but the local home brew store had sold out of that one. The guy at the store said that this one was comparable, so I bought it. I am now hoping I did not make a mistake. It seems to contain...
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    Celler Craft Showcase

    I noticed that they removed a racking from their steps as well. Personally, I prefer to rack off the sediment about 48 hours after degassing and adding the fining agents (which I do around Day 22). I don't like the thought of leaving it sit on all that sediment the finings remove for another 20...
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    Low original gravity

    You're right. I totally messed that up.I took a look at the hydrometer this morning and I had been reading it incorrectly. I'm actually at 1.090, which is dead centre of the 1.080 and 1.100 starting range. Next time I'll use my reading glasses. And by the way, I did not intentionally steal...
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    Low original gravity

    I added the juice, water and skins to my Cellar Craft Showcase Malbec kit this afternoon, then pitched the yeast. About 6 hours later, I stirred vigourously, checked the gravity - and I'm BELOW 1000! I should be around 1.018 or so! I know I accidentally added a little bit too much water, but no...
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    WineXpert Anyone tried 2 weeks in primary for skin kits?

    Late reply here, but I've done it with a Cellar Craft Showcase Shiraz kit. Used RC212 yeast, and fermented slightly cooler (about 68-70) for two weeks before transferring to secondary. It was on the skins for the duration of the two weeks. I bulk aged for 3 months with an extra pack of French...
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    Cold crashing/stabilization of wine

    Definitely I would rack while cold. That would prevent any solids from re-absorbing as it warmed. That's what I do with beer. Also, my freezer is elevated on an old IKEA coffee table, so I can siphon right out of the carboy in the freezer without disturbing it. So, my process would be this...
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    Cold crashing/stabilization of wine

    Today I noticed a sidebar in the instructions for my Cellar Craft Showcase kit regarding cold stabilization at 29F to 35F for a week to 10 days prior to bottling. I had no idea wine could be cold crashed! I am already completely set up for this (freezer with temp control) as I have been cold...
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    RJS Cru International Cabernet Sauvignon Oak Infusion bags

    That's what I'll do then. Thanks.
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    RJS Cru International Cabernet Sauvignon Oak Infusion bags

    Do they eventually become water-logged and sink to the bottom? I'm not crazy about the way they float on top the must.
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    RJS Cru International Cabernet Sauvignon Oak Infusion bags

    That's what I did ultimately. Soaked in hot water for 10 minutes as per instructions, then dumped the water and the bags (unopened) into the primary.
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    RJS Cru International Cabernet Sauvignon Oak Infusion bags

    I opened my 5 week Cabernet Sauvignon kit today to start it, and noticed there are two infusion bags that smell of oak. Does that sound right that there are two of them? They aren't labelled other than some coding, and there is no reference in the instructions other than "your kit may contain an...
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    Why add dried Raisins to wine?

    That was really helpful, I never knew any of that stuff. Now I know my raisins and currants. Thanks. :db
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    Why add dried Raisins to wine?

    One more question. Maybe kind of a dumb one. But when we talk about "adding raisins" to wine, are we talking about currants? Put another way, are currants distinct from red or white raisins?
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    Why add dried Raisins to wine?

    Thanks for the detailed reply. I might just go with 400 g to start.
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