just tried our cab/merlot & valpol

[lieu]

Well we just racked these two off the sediment in the bottom of the carboys and had to have a try. It was ok. The valpol was definatly dry. They both seemed to have a "thin" mouth feel for a lack of a better word. I really didnt know what to expect and I am not an expert by any means.
Is this what you would expect from these kits? They were RJS VdV Valpoicella & RJS VdV Chilean Cab/Merlot
If we want to drink this in July should we wait a week or so then bottle or ???? I know I just asked about bottle shock in another post but is it different for reds as opposed to whites?

 

[Flem]

Personally, if I wanted to drink this in July (which I think is way too soon), I would give it at least another month before I would bottle it. IMO

 

[Wade E]

For these very small kits IMO thats a yes, I highly recommend stepping up quite a bit especially for what is needed for a big red wine.

 

[lieu]

Hey Guys,
Wade, I don't really know what you mean by these "very small kits". Both these are 6 gallon kits which I thought most were

.
By stepping up do you mean in the cost of the kit? I think I am going to try a "big red kit" for my next one.
Hey Flem,
What do you think about bottling 1/2 and bulk storing 1/2? I do have 1- 3 gal. carboy that I could bulk store one of them for a while.

 

[Flem]

You are correct. Most kits are designed to make 6 gallons of wine. However, these Vino Del Vida kits are 9 liters of juice compared to a 16 or 18 liter (of juice) kit. That "thin" feel is is probably a combination of the fact that it is a small (9 liter) kit and it is a very young wine. The thinness will probably not go away but, with time, the taste will get better. Waiting to bottle will give it a little more time to drop remaining sediment. I'll always recommend buying the more expensive kits because I believe, with kit wines, you get what you pay for.

 

[Rocky]

Bruce,


I agree with everything that Flem and Wade say here.


If the "thinness" in the mouth is a concern, you could experiment with a bottle or two by adding some Glycerin USP (available at most pharmacies in 6 oz bottles). The recommended dosage for wine is 1-2 oz per gallon, so be careful and start with a very small amount. A 750 ml bottle is about 1/5 gallon, so you would add between 6and 12 cc per 750 ml. For reference, a teaspoon is 5 cc.