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In this wine; there are two possibilities (IMO), 1. it is oxidized: this was what I originally assumed, however, the sulfur smell indicates yeast stress. I am familiar with the smell of oxidized wine, but, describing it is a bit subjective so here is Wikipedia...

I am surprised that this kit oxidized so quickly, however, once fermentation is complete; it is important to rack the wine to a topped up carboy, and, add the S02. I tend to leave my reds in the primary fermenter for 14 days before racking, but, afterwords it is in a topped up carboy with S02...

I was curious, so I did a search which led to http://mastervintner.com/. It appears that their location is the same as a Northern Brewer shipping warehouse. Tim Vandergrift is featured on the site as having some involvement. Considering that N B was bought by Inbev; they should have the means to...

I have been making kits for a very long time, and, sometimes; I am forgetful. Based on my experience, both kits should be good. Kit instructions generally advise to add extra SO2 for extended bulk aging (usually 1/4 tsp). :dg

The instructions to this kit indicate that the wine is finished fermenting at SG at .998 or less, so I would assume that it is completely fermented at this point. In most cases; I am willing to generally follow the kit manufacturer's instruction's when making a kit for the first time. If the...

It is my experience that kits made without adding the sulphites provided with the kit can last approximately 1 year. Your experience may vary, but, the wine will gradually deteriorate, and, you can preserve it further by refrigerating it. Of course sulphites are naturally produced during...

After causing a bit of "thread drift", I think that I should maybe post my current favourite red kit. There are a lot of nice kits out there, and, the RJS Super Tuscan is nicely priced. It has been my "go to" kit for early drinking reds for some time, but the red kit that I have been liking...

Well, the wine will not be the same. Better or worse, I can't say. This wine previously had a strong influence from the toasted oak spirals in the carboy. One of my ongoing frustrations with wine kits in the last few years is that there seems to be a lack of consistency from year to year in a...

While I have made many of these RJS Super Tuscan kits; the last ones that I made (purchased in July of this year) did not include the American toasted oak spirals that were previously part of this kit. Now all the oak is added to the primary fermenter. The resulting wine (at a relatively early...

Yes, just cover, and, leave it overnight. I do think that you could pitch the yeast at 82 degrees without any issues, but I believe that the instructions will advise to wait until the temperature is lower.

Hi Milkperson; I have found that higher end kits normally taste better at all stages of the aging process. I realize that they benefit from aging, but if I run short of wine (happens sometimes), I fill the "hole" with a high end kit. My recommendation for a kit that is quite nice very young...

please do not put anything in your fermentation lock that you would not want in your wine. changes in temperature, and, barometric pressure may draw the contents of the fermentation lock into the wine.

I have been making kits for a very long time, and, I have tried many methods as described in kit manufacturer's instructions. My conclusions are; that all kits are comprised of similar ingredients, and, that a kit winemaker should find a (composite) method that suits them best. I do add the...

Since the time when the CC Showcase Yakima Syrah was discontinued I have been searching for a replacement. This kit is not the same thing, but it does produce a very nice balanced wine with good varietal characteristics. It is only 1 year old, and, showing nice tannins due to skins loose for an...

:( I made a few of these kits about a year ago, looks like I need to hold off on drinking them for longer than planned.

Well here is a SS pot with a spigot: http://www.homebrewing.org/32-Quart-8-Gal-Polar-Ware-Stainless-Steel-Brew-Pot-W-lid-Ball-Valve-_p_3137.html A bit pricey though, and, it would still need to be modded. Personally, I prefer a racking cane for racking off the primary, due to the large quantity...

These stainless pots look nice, but I bet the lids going to rattle when the wine is fermenting. :h

Hi Brian; what advantage do you see with this Speidel fermenter? I can recall problems being reported with the bottom spigots on the "better bottle" brand fermenter/carboys. I am quite happy with plastic fermenters that have tight fitting lids that can be used one fermentation is well underway...

I made a few of these kits 18 months ago (first time, I have tried this kit). I bottled some at 1 year, and, it was tried by many folks at a family event. This kit was a favourite pick among other wines that I brought for tasting. It was a ripe jammy wine with raspberry fruit flavours. I still...

This kit has been a perennial favorite of mine, however; the latest kits that I have made (probably all from the same batch) are not the same thing as the GSM kits that I have been making since this kit became available. Just wondering if anyone else has had the same experience.