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Well, just racked the DB into the carboy for clearing. After 21 days the SG=1.010 and the wine tastes great. I may not need to back-sweeten, as the yeast I used (Lalvin D47) was recommended by brew house as being a good one for not fermenting to dry and bringing out the fruit flavors. I'll...

Well, day two and I see some activity. Micro bubbles popping and some fizzing. A lot slower than I'm used to with the EC-118. Hopefully this stuff will take off; I used both yeast energizer and yeast nutrient.

I followed the packet instructions and added to about 2 ounces of water at about 104 degrees F. As I have no other yeast handy, I added the mix to the buckets....hopefully it'll activate? Do different yeasts act different, or is this a sign it's no good?

I just made two starter batches of Lalvin D47 yeast for my Dragon's blood and Strawberry berry wine mix (two batches). My usual yeast EC-118 used to sink in the warm water and disperse. This D47 got "muddy" and "clumpy" in the water...kind of like flour paste in gravy. Is this normal? I'm...

LOL. I guess with the lousy weather we've been getting here, we may as well stay hunkered down all winter and make wine! :D

First batch bottled! Well, bottled my first batch of DB last week. Made some labels tonight and opened a bottle. Not bad at all! My wife loves it; I back-sweetened with 3/4 cup of sugar/gallon like Dave does. I'm already going out to get more berries for the next batch. My wife and I like...

The level is about 2 inches from the bottom of the neck, or right about where the flare ends. I added the Super-Kleer yesterday, so it should be like that for about a week at which time I'll bottle.

About that "oxidation" I was wondering.......when I racked my DB to the carboy the fermentation had pretty much stopped in the primary. I added K-meta when I racked and have a head space of about 3". My question is: doesn't the K-meta give off SO2 gas? Wouldn't this form a "layer" above the...

I followed Dave's recipe verbatim with the exception of only using 32oz of lemon juice as opposed to 48. Planning on adding his suggestion of 3/4 cups of sugar per gallon also. I'll check the SG to see what that will bring it to for future reference. After this first batch I can experiment as...

Well, after the DB clears I guess I'll just have to re-sorbate, as the super-kleer will pull out the sorbate too....correct?

I intended to do what I said, but since I had already added the sorbate, this is what I'm doing now. Rack back into carboy (sorbate already added), degas some more, add k-meta and super-kleer. Then I'll wait until final clearing, rack into pail and sweeten to taste...then bottle. Think this...

Ready to rack Well, my DB is ready to rack to a bucket for degas and sweetening, then back to the carboy for clearing. In the mean time I picked up a new kit...anybody have any luck with this Cabernet Sauvignon?

Nice labels! Wow Freeze06, nice labels and good lookin' wine! Did you create and print the labels your self, or have them done? I'm still messing with trying to create my labels with no success.

Well, it's only been a day since I pitched the yeast. Suppose I could stir in two or three more cups of sugar at this point. I guess I thought the added sugar in the berries themselves would drive up the ABV.

Ta-da! My first batch is done. Well, here's the first bottle, and the first "tasting" of my first batch of wine I ever made. It's a California Pinot Noir from Winexpert. Tastes great, can't wait for it to "age" a bit. Here's me and the missus and the family pooch, celebrating...

I followed Dave's instructions to a "t" and my SG ended up being the recommended 1.075. I see here everybody else is starting with 1.095 or greater....did I miscalculate?

Thanks Steve, the lower cost is definitely a good point. I hope to pick up one of your systems soon; I will be sending you a PM when the "director of finance" approves my purchase. :D

I'm new to this wine-making thing, but it seems the all-in-one is worth every penny. I can see how hoisting carboys up and down w/out disturbing the sediment and lifting up buckets by the flimsy handles can present a risk of disaster. A question on the optional filter setup: can those...

I fixed the clutch cable on my snoblower, plowed the driveway (12+ inches), fed my two boys lunch (wife is a nurse and working a 24); then, cleaned my big primary and started a batch of DangerDave's Dragon's Blood. Knock on the front door was UPS man delivering my brand new Portuguese Floor...

Let the games begin! Here we go... Just starting my first batch of DB. I used those 5-gallon nylon paint strainer bags from Home Depot. After making my sugar mix, I just stretched the bag over the 6.5 gallon primary bucket, poured the fruit mix in, and tied a quick knot. It was great...