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See the brown dot in middle? This 2012 Moscato from juice bucket had a really odd taste. Sort of a spoiled taste to it. Not very pleasant at all. I let it ferment from what ever BelUva inoculated with and I did my normal clean procedures on everything. I am thinking it's oxidized. The smell is...

JEEZ IM AN IDIOT!!!!! Everything went fine...........until backsweetening and bottling. Long story short: too much sugar. So, what do I do? Do I make another smaller batch and just blend by pouring bottled DB into freshly made bucket of DB? Or can I get a few bottles of Riesling or another...

Making Jack Kellers recipe. I am NOT putting the cherries in until secondary. The problem is the SG is barely moving even though I see plenty of action inside. I just moved it from the one gallon carboy to a regular bucket (easier the whip up daily) and added more nutrient and energizer. Does...

Picked up a 6 gal of Chilean Viogner. SG was 1.100.Once fermentation started and I noticed while stirring everyday as directed, there is a layer of "krausen" or foam on top. Obviously some yeast in it too. Its more of fluffy foam, rather than the normal foam the first few days in. Temps around...

I made a 3gal batch of Loganberry and its almost ready to bottle. IT is fine, but not quite the taste I like. I just racked a 3gal bathc of Welches Concord. Has anoyone ever done a blend of these two? Hints please. Thanks

Just picked up a 6gal pail of muscato juice. There is yeast in it. Should I use campden tabs to knock out that yeast and use something different? I cannot find any hints. Have not taken SG reading yet. Any pointers on this type of juice? Thanks!! Mark

I am doing a one gallon batch each of: Orange Blossom Saw Palmetto I am just going to ferment dry, however, with the orange blossom I would like more of a pop of the orange flavor rather than subtle. Would I squeeze and orange into the first racking, or add some juice during ferment? It just...

I understand the concept of not crushing grapes too much so as to not release too much tannins. But how much juice would one really get from grapes not really crushed too much? I know I have to press the pulp after a few days and remove the skins and such. (Concord by the way, will get as much...

Does anyone know where small time home vintners can get some grapes or juice in or near Joliet (sw burb if Chicago) from this years harvest? Anybody do group buys like the Chilean buckets? Thanks

:b I won silver medals on my Peachy Keen, and Apple Pie Wine!! Woo-hoo!! :sm

If anyone is in Illinois or knows someone in illinois looking for a home inspection on a home they are buying or selling, send them my way. :w www.righthomeinspect.com :r I offer a veterans discount to those who served or are serving and needing an inspection. Thanks! Mark :tz:db

I purchased a "6" gallon better bottle to age some Noir. Thats what the box said at least. When I got home and opened the box to see "5 gal" on the bottom of it. Did Better Bottle make an error in packaging or can it "hold" 6 gal with little head space? Dont want to waste gas exchanging it if...

I'm new at blogging, so go easy on me. My friends and I are trying for the first time a 2012 Pinot Nior bucket. Follow our progress and let me know what you think. http://2012pinotnior.wordpress.com/ :wy

I am looking to start just 2 vines. 1 concord and 1 frontenac. Should I keep them far apart (opposite sides of yard) so I dont get frontcord and conenac grapes?:)

My Pee with added DME is coming along nicely. Would it be bad to add more DME now at 1.020 to balance the tartness from the lemon? Or just back sweeten as normal. :b

My parents have a 20 plus year old Concord grape vine that does well year after year. What is the proper way (if any) to take a cutting from it and plant at my house? What time of year, where to cut etc. thanks!!:b

Can anyone suggest anything good to make with my leftover ingredients? I am familiar on running recipes through QBrew and all, but would like some ideas on using what I have to make something that would actually taste good. Looking for a "lawnmower beer" or something my neighbors and I can...

Okay. I have read til I was sleeping on this subject. I am getting a bucket of Chilean Pinot Nior soon and want to do it well. I have plenty of fermenting under my belt, but none with the juice buckets. I am not sure I am ready to do this and don't really want to waste a whole bucket if I...

Ok, my partners and I changed our minds and just ordered the Chilean Pinot Nior and Riesling buckets. Questions: Raisins? Use them in each or not. I am familiar with them adding body and not really affecting flavor. Oak? Not in Riesling, but how about the Pinot? Maybe one gallon worth to...

As this is my 6th batch, I am adding 1 cup of extra light DME. Even though all the other batches have been fine, I want to see if this improves the body at all. I sampled before I pitched and it was good. Its fermenting nicely. I hope it clears well with the DME. Ill keep you all posted on the...