Recent content by WineJake

Bottled my first Malbec Tweak from the Fontana kit. It is slightly tart (just hints of sour apple). I am hoping that it will mellow in 6 weeks or so. Thanks Joe for you insight and encouragement on this thread. I will report back once we do further tastings.

So let it sit for a couple weeks, then degass and bottle. Let is get over bottle shock for a couple weeks, then sample?

Fontana Malbec racked to secondary fermenter last night. original (starting) SG 1.108, my current SG 0.996. Once racked into the secondary, I'm not getting any CO2 bubbling. I am thinking I should have racked it a little earlier. I added 1 T tannin (mixed) and put the air lock in place. Where...

Let me state my question differently. What is the purpose of transferring the wine to a carboy after primary fermentation? I am a home brewer. I would like to use as much of my brew equipment as if feasible. The Catalyst (conical fermentation vessel) allows me to pull off the dead yeast and...

Crazy question for the forum. I am using a Catalyst fermentation vessel (see attached pic) for my Fontana Malbec primary fermentation, without the lid. It was designed for Beer fermentation. Once the primary fermentation is complete, I was thinking of capturing the dead yeast (lees) in the mason...

Started a Fontana Malbec yesterday with Joe's tweak: reduced volume to 5 gal, 1 T tannin, 1 cup French Oak (med toast), Fpac (1 cup zante currants, 1/2 cup cherries, 1/2 cup blackberries) saute in 1 cup Malbec. Checked pH 4.0, SA test titration didn't workout. Room temp 70 degrees F. Pitched...

Planning the start of my Fontana Malbec kit soon. Planning on 5 gallons not 6 gallons (as suggested by Joeswine). I have a newbie question for the forum. Do I need to acidify my distilled water before I add it to the juice to keep the pH in range or have the instruction taken into account that...

Fpac??? Help a newbie out with an explanation of an Fpac.

Fontana Malbec is on its way to me. My plan is to get a reading on pH, acidity and Brix. Then go to work as follows: 5 gallons 1 Cup Z black currants (maybe sauteed in 1/2 c Malbec) 1 Cup French oak in primary 1 T Tannin 1 T coarse ground French Roast coffee 1 vanilla bean 1 Cup cold smoked...