First time using Hydrometer

[grapecrusher]

Just got my Italian juice. Sangiovese with a specific gravity of 1.050 and a cabernet with a specific gravity of 1.070 . Are these good numbers? Sugar content is 15 to 18%

 

[Pumpkinman]

They sound like they might have already started to ferment, I usually get 1.090 on any juice buckets that I buy.

 

[vernsgal]

They're a little low. The Sangiovese when dry will only produce about an 8 % alcohol. The cab is a bit low as well. I usually shoot for 1.084-1.090. I would add some simple syrup to bring them up a bit. 1 part warmed juice to 2 parts sugar. I would add about a 1/2 cup of sugar/syrup at a time, stirring well and then read SG after each addition so you don't over shoot.
It also depends on what alcohol level you were wanting though so this is just IMO

 

[vernsgal]

They sound like they might have already started to ferment, I usually get 1.090 on any juice buckets that I buy.

haha we must have been typing at the same time.

I agree it might have already started because they are low.

 

[Runningwolf]

Just got my Italian juice. Sangiovese with a specific gravity of 1.050 and a cabernet with a specific gravity of 1.070 . Are these good numbers? Sugar content is 15 to 18%

I don't quite understand. You said you sg is 1.05 & 1.07 so where are you getting the sugar percentage from? The numbers are not matching up.

 

[grapecrusher]

The other side of the hydrometer has a scale for sugar content and potential alcohol