My son who lives very far away from me sent me a wine kit for Christmas. It is a Fontana Cabernet kit. Ordinarily I would be thrilled, but I just made a batch of Cab a few months ago. Still have 22 or 23 bottles of Cab and 8 bottles of Cab / Merlot blend in the cellar. It was a Master Vintner kit, but was juice only - no skins (I did add some crushed blackberries to try and give it a little more flavor). I hate to return this kit. What could I do to either amp it up or make it different? Is it possible to buy grapeskins to add flavor? I live in far western Maryland if anyone would be interested in an exchange that may be a possibility, too.
Other Extra Cabernet Kit
- Thread starter Eddie_G
- Start date
Help Support Winemaking Talk - Winemaking Forum:
VinesnBines
Senior Member
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2020
- Messages
- 1,412
- Reaction score
- 1,820
I love to make the Fontana Cab with tweaks. I short the water to 5 or 5.5 gallons. Add about a quart of simple syrup to bump the sg, add a cup of currents or a couple ounces of dried elderberries and a cup of French oak chips.
I have added the kit to saved Cab Franc skins. I don't know where you can skin packs. Maybe someone else can help.
You might get some dried elderberries or concentrate and make a double batch, You can blend it with another variety kit.
I have added the kit to saved Cab Franc skins. I don't know where you can skin packs. Maybe someone else can help.
You might get some dried elderberries or concentrate and make a double batch, You can blend it with another variety kit.
make the wine and let it age a couple of years.
