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I usually don't drink during the week... at most a glass or two... then on the weekends I may have a bottle or two. Or if we're going out, I'll drink vodka & flavoured soda water... a pint at the most in one evening. I have a 2 year old... so there is no respite the next morning, its just...

Well here is a story for you... after I vacuum filtered my wine, I went to my SIL's to help her with her first batch - an Italian Pinot Grigio... Let me preface by saying that when I picked up the vacuum filter system from my local retailer, everything was put together, pads in place, etc...

Well, its been 13 days since stabilizing for me... I plan to let this sit now for about a month before bottling. I'd age longer, but I want to be able to try a bottle over Christmas! So I take it I haven't ruined it this way!

I'm making the Australian traminer-riesling... I may have made an error in filtering too soon. Do you vacuum filter just prior to bottling? Is it okay to do as I have done, and vacuum filter during Step 4: Racking and Clarification? According to the directions at this stage I would rack...

Thanks. So I would purchase this separately and add it during Step 4: Racking and Clarification (I know the kit comes with some that is used in Step 3: Stabilizing and Clearing, but this isn't enough for aging, correct?).

Another question regarding synthetic corks... Do they prevent oxidation, so there would be no need to add anything further to a kit-wine before bottling, if I plan to age a few bottles for a year or two (depending on my patience)?

That is interesting you should mention those two (Shiraz and Pacific Quartet), as they are the two I am considering pre-ordering. The timing works well, as I think I can only handle a kit every 3 months right now, and I just started my Australian Traminer-Riesling. Also works well for me to do...

Very true! I have a butterfly corker and an auto-syphon, which will make things easier for us both!

Excellent. I will use synthetic corks and either keep upright or upside down in the bottle box.

Is anyone pre-ordering from the 2010 limited edition wines? Here is a list: January - South African Shiraz, originally offered in January 2006 January - California Lake County Trio Blanca (dry), originally offered in January 2005 February - Australian Petit Verdot, originally offered in...

I just want to be sure of this after doing some reading here, so would appreciate comments from those who use synthetic corks. It really makes no difference as to how you store your wine (in terms of bottle placement)?? I can store it upright, upside down, or on its side for months and...

Update... Early on day 5 here, and the hydrometer reading is 1.02... Getting CLOSE to Step 2! :) Its funny, this is the first kit I've made where I feel like I have an idea of what it is I am doing. Which is a good thing, since I am helping my SIL make her first kit at the same time...

Oh - and would it be a problem if I did snap the lid down on the primary?? I have to keep my primary in my kitchen area, and its accessible by my toddler... a loose lid is a disaster waiting to happen. I understand I would be opening it daily to push the fruit bag down, so would it get enough...

Thanks, good to know! Now in the carboy... extra head space is not a good thing, correct?

Yes, we are lucky to have lots of access to fruit throughout the summer and fall here! It's more of a space issue for me... I really don't have the space for a large primary fermenter like that. The blueberry wine recipe here suggests splitting the berries up into two 6-gallon primaries, and...

Ah yes, I have looked through the recipe section. I guess I'm looking for more basic info... like why add what when... but I'm sure all that info is here as well. I just have more research to do! After looking at the peach and blueberry recipes, I think it would be easier for me to start...

Can anyone recommend a good source of information for getting step-by-step directions and explanations for making fruit wine?

Hello.... I'm a relatively new kit maker as well. I had a similar issue, and have decided to ferment on my main level and then age in the basement. However, in my search for ways to keep the primary fermenter at a steady temp I did uncover a few fun ideas. One was to place it in a large...

So I've been obsessed with this forum since I found it last night. Suddenly I'm convinced I should make a blueberry fruit wine, as my father is a blueberry grower/farmer. Now... My favourite preserve of all time is blueberry peach... And I wondered if I could make that combo into a wine. I...

My father is a blueberry grower in Prince Edward Island... took in 70,000 pounds this year. I know he's tried to make blueberry wine before, but it turned out badly. But he is a bit impatient and wouldn't have such resources as this website back then... Perhaps I'll do a search on that...