RJ Spagnols Grand Cru International Collection Syrah Kit Question

[AUwiner]

I'm helping a friend get started with his first kit. It's a Grand Cru International Collection Syrah. The kit contains one plastic bag of oak chips and another "tea bag-like" package of oak. I have made several Vineco kits but never one from RJS. It's instructions are somewhat confusing about what to do with the oak. I understand you pre-soak the one bag of chips and add them to the primary but does the second bag just get mixed in? A mesh sock is included but supposedly this is for grape skins which this particular kit did not have. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[cpfan]

Normally you would just add the oak chips to the primary fermenter. You could use the mesh bag if you wished. Personally I would save the bag for a future use.

You're correct about the "tea bag" of oak. I usually put it in a pyrex measuring cup with some boiled water, and then dump everything into the primary.

Steve

 

[Wade E]

Yep, throw tyhe grapes in the mesh bag, throw the chips in loose, and also throw the teabag in there.

 

[cpfan]

AUwiner:

Are you CERTAIN there are no skins? Have you looked UNDER the bag of juice/concentrate? I just looked at the web-site and it says that the California Syrah comes with skins. The BC Pinot Noir does not.

Steve

 

[Wade E]

Didnt notice that part. If yoiu havent started this kit I would call the place that you bought this from as it should have a grape pack, that what seperate the International kits for the regular Grand Cru along with the price boost!

 

[AUwiner]

Thanks for the response. And yes, the kit did have the grape skins. I found them when I removed the juice bag.

 

[robie]

Like Wade said, put the oak in the bag with the skins. It is less mess when racking. Just keep the bag pushed down and stirred around (at least once a day, better to do it twice a day).

 

[Repsolal]

I think you will find that the "teabag" actually contains elderflower and is not a second bag of oak.

 

[Wade E]

Elderflower in Syrah, I could be wrong as I havent made this kit but I doubt they put that in a red wine.

 

[Repsolal]

I stand corrected
1 bag of oak in plastic bag to be emptied directly into juice
1 bag of oak in a big tea bag

odd that their is 2 different bags of oak ? probably different types?
I always find that the tea bag falls apart anyway so i just dump everything in directly.