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Well don't need any help after all. Mixed everything with three bags of grapes and the starter and pitched my yeast in a glass for tomorrow to add to primary. Moved my primary over to where I typically ferment and the primary split on the bottom somehow. Was gentle with it and have no idea...

Typed twice.

Got my kits in today and getting things ready to start. I read through the 131 pages but cannot define whether EM helps, hurts, or no effect on these kits. Would like to know before I start as it matters on which fermenters I use. Any help would be appreciated. For reference have the forte...

I have made a ton of wine kits and buckets in the search for the ever elusive no kit taste kit. Whites were no issue but every red had a smell or taste that disagreed with me. I tried everything this site recommended to remove the offense to no avail. I do not have a great sense of smell or...

So when you are wrong, you're wrong...and I was wrong about the Bravado. Cracked a bottle tonight and aired out as instructed. Wine is one month shy of a two year old and has put on its big boy britches. Going to get better with age and still have 28 bottles left. Guess that's the rainbow...

I didn't expect it to be heavier, but I expected a lot more something. Made by the book with the exception of yeast change. With a name like Bravado I thought it would be similar to some retail super tuscan wines I have tried but not close. Should have been named underwhelming. On a side...

John I am surprised as I bottled mine today at a year old and was disappointed. I expected a big super tuscan, and was sad to find it weaker than the eclipse lodi cab. Mine spent 4 mos in the small barrel and maybe that was too much time. The taste I pulled I left on the counter after the...

Ended up filling my 50l vadia with a double batch of zin that I had that needed some more time in the barrel as it was lacking in oak. So I my extended batch spent 5mos in the 23l vadia. Tested the EM vs standard kit last night. The difference is night and day. The EM kit is much more mature...

Another pick for the Eclipse Napa Valley Stag's Leap Merlot, please. Thanks for the drawing!! I have ordered from you but all the wines are still in aging. Delivery was correct and quick.

I have officially been kicked out of the living area. I started with a 23l and then two, moved them on an over/under configuration stand I made that looked like crap. Kept telling the wife I was going to either make it decent and not an eye sore, or move it. When the 50l hit the porch the...

I would tend to agree with all but I have never had a barrel that would literally suck water in through the head into the barrel. The head would not stay full with boiling water as it leaked to the inside of the barrel and was filling up the inside. Fifteen minutes of water on the head and...

Just received a new 50l Vadai barrel a week ago. Finally had time to prep it tonight for wine. Had a major leak in the barrel head. See attached photos. This is not a beeswax repair as the bubble is drawing in boiling water and filling up the barrel. The head has been covered in boiling...

The volume of foaming is impressive and should be planned for. I will do my next extended maceration in my big mouth carboy and not a bucket but will put it in something in case it foams over. I used BM4x4 yeast and did a fermaid injection twice during fermentation. Mine still got stuck at...

I racked mine today as I am traveling most of the week and don't think there will be time over the holidays. The mud was challenging to say the least. I used a strainer, but had to roll the mud around in the strainer to get the wine to separate. I did lose some wine and had to top off the...

And I forgot. Degas you wine fully...gassy wine can really change the flavor and profile of a wine!

I just sacrificed three bottles of wine and a topper for a carboy for this discussion and blind taste tested with the most tuned nose and taste buds I could find (my wife)...then retested with the neighbors. Bottle 1 Fontana Cab Sauv made 6/15 with sorbate and clarifiers, no barrel aging and by...

Liked on Facebook for my entry.

Ted, Based on your guidance, I started this process on Sunday with the same Winexpert Lodi cab kit. I am fermenting in a bucket and then transferring to the big mouth with the skins this weekend. Pantry I ferment in is warm and I am worried about it overwhelming the big mouth and making a...

Better, worse or going to turn out about the same? Just curious before I buy two of these kits. Thanks!

Where is the best place to get the RJS ST? They used to run much less than I am seeing from a google search.