WineXpert Making First Red Wine

[smurfe]

David.

Do you have anyone kit that you have made that you loved? And where do I get them from? My wife is wanted me to do a white for her for the summer. Plus a red for me.

I have made many kits that were very good. I have bought all of my kits from George except two. Look at George's catalog page and look at the Selection or Estate series kits. These kits are consistently good. I have not made a Mosti kit yet but am hearing very good things about them.


I don't know where you live so I don't know what shipping charges would be compared to what you are paying local. I live 8 hours from George and would pay between $12-$15 shipping on a kit. For what those things weigh I thought that was very low shipping. I believe you said you are paying $125 for a kit locally? That seem high to me unless it was a very premium kit.


Here is a short list of kits I have made that were very good. A few of these I have not tasted yet as they are still aging in bottle or bulk but I have tasted that others have made. A few I have that are great can not be bought as they are limited edition series (BTW, all 5 of the 2005 LE's were fantastic).


Cellar Craft Rosso Fortissimo (love it)
Cellar Craft Amarone (love it)
Wine Expert Selection Gewürztraminer (very good)
Wine Expert Selection White Zinfandel (everyone raves about this one)
Wine Expert Selection Crushendo Castellina Supertuscan Di Siena (WOW)
Wine Expert Selection Lodi, Ranch II Cabernet Sauvignon (WOW)
Wine Expert Selection Napa Valley Stag's Leap District Merlot (WOW)


These are just a few. I would recommend looking at any of the 2007 (or is it actually 2006) Wine Expert Selection Limited Edition kits which you can get right now. I made the last years series and every one as mentioned was great. I bet that Spanish Cab will be very good.


As it has been mentioned, if you pick the higher end kits you will get better wines. More juice equals more solids equals more body and mouth feel in your wine equals more enjoyment of you finished product. While I can usually recommend the Vintners Reserve kits for the white varietals, It is tough to recommend the reds due to lack of body. A fine table wine yes, but a bit disappointing as a true varietal wine.


Smurfe

 

[Mharris335]

Smurfe. Thank you so much for your input. I will try one of
those soon. I have heard that Red Mountian in Wash made a Cab
Kit.? Has anyone tried this yet? I Love Wash Cab, Merlot, Syria,
and Blends.

 

[Mharris335]

Well I just put into my Carboy last night. Still fermenting
alot. When I opened the lid, I wanted to smell it to see what it
smelled like. Man that was stupid. Way to much gas, that
was not fun. The SG was at 1.000. Just like the directions
said after 7 days in the primary. Now I have to wait another 10
days to rack again.



My local hobby shop told me to use a Turkey Baster instead of buying a Wine Theif. Has anyone done this?

 

[daveb50]

A TurkeyBaster iswhat I use all the time, I own a wine thief, I prefer the baster. The wine thief will suck up lees if used during primary or secondary, because you have to hit the bottom of the Primary/carboy to open the valve.
Dave

 

[smurfe]

A TurkeyBaster iswhat I use all the time, I own a wine thief, I prefer the baster. The wine thief will suck up lees if used during primary or secondary, because you have to hit the bottom of the Primary/carboy to open the valve.
Dave

Are you using one of the Fermtech Wine thief/test jar combos? That's what I use and I don't have to go to the bottom to get the valve to open. It opens as soon as it hits the liquid.


Smurfe

 

[Mharris335]

Thank you both. I think I will go buy Baster then. I used
the racking cane last time I had to take wine out of the Carboy.
It went way to slow and messy.



I do have another question for you all.



The kit only came with one packet of oak chips. Should I buy oak
cubes and put them into my Carboy? The directions on the kit
don't say to do this, but will it help the wine?

 

[wolfman]

I'm new to this as well. Smurfe, first I loved your tutorial.
2) I also DO NOT have to go to the bottom with my wine thief.



MHarris, I was faced with the same question of quality when I
started. I just racked to secondary 3 days ago. I decided
to pony up a few extra bucks and purchase the Cellar Classic Zin from
RJ Spagnols. Has anyone tasted this kit!!! Would love to
get a response.



It was about $100 but my taste buds prefer a little better
quality, although, I am finding some decent $8 bottles. I just
didn't want to be too dissappointed after all the work I put into it
for it to be a topper for other batches. I want to
drink the darn stuff.



I'm getting ready to purchase a few new kits:

The lodi Cab

Australian Shiraz

Crushendo Syrah

and an island mist

 

[Mharris335]

Wolf, let me know the Zin turns out. I also just got a Red
Mountain Cab from CC. I am counting on that one being good,
because everything Wash is making right right now is
good. I buy alot of Wash stuff and even the $6 bottles are good
in the stores.

 

[wolfman]

I'll do that but I plan on aging a long time. I have some american med. oak ordered that I will put in for a few months.



I'm just starting to get into the Wash. Wines. Moving up the
coast from Napa. I have a few bottles from chateau st.
michelle that have been very good.



can you recomend any others?

 

[Mharris335]

Wolf,

Sure I can. Columbia Crest Reserves all about $18-$25 and
all are great wines that get rated 90pts or above. Their Grand
Estates are about $10-$8 and got rated 88 or above. Basil
Cellars, Seven Hills, NorthStar, WallWall Cellars, Sageland, and Zerba
Cellars. I went to WallaWalla last year and they have 84 winerys
and all the wine was good. Just type in Walla Walla and do
a google. Plus the hole Columbia River has great winerys
now. What price are you looking for? It's alot cheaper than
Napa, so alot of good values are out there.

 

[wolfman]

Thanks for the tips.



My taste busd certainly enjoy the 20+ bottles and you are right Napa
has some expensive stuff. Since I can't afford to drink the 20+
everyday I have been trying stuff under 10. I have found some
that aren't bad, but boy I sure do like the 20 - 50 bottles.



I went to Napa this past October and brought back $900 worht of
fine. So I need to find something a little more affordable.
I will certainly look these up and if I can find a decent 10 - 15
dollar bottle I'm happy. So will my wallet.



Godd luck on your wine making.

 

[Mharris335]

Your Welcome. Where do you live? CovyRun makes some good reds that are under $10.

 

[wolfman]

I live on the East Coast in Delaware.



We do not have many wineries in this neck of the woods, at least none that suite my taste.

 

[Chefwar]

Wolfman, I feel for you, I'm from Maine and we don't have much for wineries either. My wife and I went to Napa 2 years ago. Loved it!! Brought home 6 cases.Still order from V. Sattui .

 

[wolfman]

Delaware is kinda of a strange bird. The laws are strict for
shipping wine into the state. Some wineries do it but most
won't. V. Sattui that was one I didn't get to.



I belong to Goosecross cellars and love their wine.

 

[Mharris335]

You two need to come to Oregon, Salem, where I live or go 6 hours away
to WallaWalla. I have been to Napa and I think I love Oregon and
WallaWalla more. Instead of bring home 6 cases in Napa you could
have gotten 15 cases WallaWalla. It's a small town, but great
places to eat, great hotels, and the best wine. They have 25
winerys with 3 miles. Cabs are cheap also.

 

[Waldo]

Come on down to Arkansas and feast on some roast possum belly sauteed in goats milk with some turnip greens, cornbread and Muscadine wine. Then sit out on the porch and sip a glass of Blackberry port with that big ole bowl of Apple Cobbler

 

[jobe05]

HOT DARN!!!!!


I'm on the next there bus........

 

[NorthernWinos]

Sounds like we need Waldo doing a "Wine Of The Week" real soon...we'll all be there where it's nice and warm eatin' some good viddles and drinkin' some good wines...

 

[Mharris335]

That sounds like fun to me.