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I am making wine for the first time in many years, and used 3 different types of wine yeast in three different types of grapes (Barbers, Primitivo and Merlot). All the yeast were dry packets. A friend of mine owned a brewery, and recommended using liquid yeast as opposed to dry. Does anyone...

We're doing our first crush this weekend, and had the opportunity to view fermenting wine. When adding yeast and nutrients, we add it based on the estimated volume of juice - and don't include the amount (%) of grapes, or do you? 5g per Gallon - does that mean 5 gallons of wine must (with...

Thanks Rocky - I know he's going through the cold storage method before pitching the yeast, but now in its fourth day of the fermentation process, the must is still in a 60 degree room, the temp of fermentation is around 72 - and maintaining that throughout the process.... I've bought somewhat...

Thanks JohnT - I should have predicated my post stating that I am trying to make robust reds - Merlot and Cab (home grown) - trying to get very full body....

We are doing our first harvest of wine next weekend, and have a question about the fermentation process. Some mentors have recommended going through the fermentation process quickly (1-2 weeks). Some have mentioned going through the cold storage for a couple days, and then allow the must to...

Thanks All Rocky, I read in a book that you can use the oak chips or cubes and cook them on the stove with some Vodka to get the oak flavor... Interesting, thinking of trying it, along with different variations for the oak flavor to see what we like best. Thanks All!

For Glass Carboys, check Craigslist - I bought 6 high quality for $140... Also got the bungs and airlocks for each.

Thanks, yes, it does have the charcoal filter.

I've read that if you need to add water to your must to reduce the Brix, that you should use non-chlorinated water. Does anyone know if Reverse Osmosis "Removes" chlorine? Our systems documents reference that it gets rid of the unpleasant taste and odor, cloudiness and color, but not sure if it...

I've read that you can clean fermenters (plastic) with Tri-odium Phosphate. That seems a bit harsh, has anyone use TSP? Any recommendations? Thanks, Kevin

New to Winemaking - we plan on trying different types of Oak - Chips, cubes and homemade oak additives. When would these be added? Some have said of the chips/cubes to add during fermentation. We're also doing Malolactic fermentation. Thanks,

Thanks, just ordered it!

I am new to winemaking. I see multiple recommendations for testing the SO2 levels, or stating that they should not be over 50PPM. I purchased a Titrets test, but learned that this is only for white wine. Is there any way of testing the SO2 in red wines? I'd appreciate any help. Kevin

Any recommendations on the best type of wine fermenting containers to use for beginners? we have about 30-50 lbs of grapes from our own winery (cab s and merlot) and have an additional 125# of Primitivo grapes. We'd like to know what types of fermenting containers to use. With lids of course...

Makes sense, thanks!

Unfortunately, our neighbor sprayed our good neighbor fence with water based redwood stain, and it went through the cracks and sprayed all of our grapes in the first row, of this 1st year harvest. Needless to say, we were Very Upset! This happened about a month ago, and we hope to be able to...

We live in Sacramento and have 27 vitis viniferas, 14 Cabernet S and 13 Merlot. It has gotten very hot this summer, upwards of 110 degrees, and thus - our wine grapes have already began to turn from green to a light reddish color. We are concerned that the grapes are ruined for this season, and...