Noticed that alot of wine kits don't say to add sugar

[parrothead]

Doing a Connoisseur kit for Shiraz and white zinf. Really wondering if these wines will be low alcohol content because of not adding sugar at the beginning. Does anybody know what % you are getting with these kits? THANKS!!!

 

[grapeman]

Use your hydrometer when you mix it up to determine the beginning Specific gravity and it will give you a rough idea of the potential alchohol.
They are all listed as 11.5%. You generally don't add sugar to kits.

 

[TonyP]

Virtually all kits come complete. Those requiring extra sugar provide a component often called an F-pack.

 

[Bartman]

"Low alcohol content" is a relative preference. German wines are frequently at 10% or so, while most Italian and French reds are typically 12-13%, roughly speaking. Your warmer growing regions like California, Spain and Australia can yield wines with 14-15%. So, 11.5% is maybe slightly on the low end of the spectrum, but a given wine with 10% alcohol vs. 15% will not be good at both levels, almost certainly - the varietal or blend will almost always lend itself to a given alcohol level as optimal. What that is depends on a number of factors, but primarily your tastes. If you like high alcohol wines, then you could add some sugar to the must when you start, but I wouldn't.

 

[parrothead]

THANKS for the info!