So I decided to take a shot at making homemade wine. I was never a fan of homemade wine until I had a bottle of the WE Eclipse Nocturnal series that a family member made. It was the first time a homemade wine actually tasted like something I would buy. It didn't taste so "homemade" to me.
Anyway, I decided to start by making a Legacy Pinot Grigio and an Eclipse Lodi Ranch Cab. I've come to learn that the reds need a fair amount of time to age, so I picked up the RJS En Primeur Super Tuscan last week to get another one going. There are a couple differences between how the two red kits are made and I was hoping someone could explain why, or tell me if I should be deviating from the instructions. Here are the the main differences:
1. The Eclipse has a primary fermentation only, whereas the RJS has a primary and secondary fermentation. Why? What is the point of transferring to a carboy mid-fermentation? Could I not just do the same for the RJS kit as I did for the Eclipse? Where I leave it in the primary fermenter for the full 14 days (grape skins and oak chips included), instead of transferring it on day 6-8 and removing the grape skins and oak that early in the process?
2. The Eclipse kit says to keep the temperature between 20-25 degrees for the entire 8 week wine making process, whereas the RJS kit says to reduce the temperature to below 20 degrees as soon as you start the stabilizing & clearing process on day 14. Is the temperature only critical during the fermentation period? I'm wondering if I could have reduced the temperature on day 14 of the Eclipse kit and if that would've been beneficial in any way? Or if I should be keeping the temperature between 20-25 for the entire RJS 8 week process?
At the end of the day my plan is to follow both directions as stated. I just figured I'd ask to better understand why they differ and if anyone typically deviates from the instructions for the benefit of the wine.
Thanks!
Anyway, I decided to start by making a Legacy Pinot Grigio and an Eclipse Lodi Ranch Cab. I've come to learn that the reds need a fair amount of time to age, so I picked up the RJS En Primeur Super Tuscan last week to get another one going. There are a couple differences between how the two red kits are made and I was hoping someone could explain why, or tell me if I should be deviating from the instructions. Here are the the main differences:
1. The Eclipse has a primary fermentation only, whereas the RJS has a primary and secondary fermentation. Why? What is the point of transferring to a carboy mid-fermentation? Could I not just do the same for the RJS kit as I did for the Eclipse? Where I leave it in the primary fermenter for the full 14 days (grape skins and oak chips included), instead of transferring it on day 6-8 and removing the grape skins and oak that early in the process?
2. The Eclipse kit says to keep the temperature between 20-25 degrees for the entire 8 week wine making process, whereas the RJS kit says to reduce the temperature to below 20 degrees as soon as you start the stabilizing & clearing process on day 14. Is the temperature only critical during the fermentation period? I'm wondering if I could have reduced the temperature on day 14 of the Eclipse kit and if that would've been beneficial in any way? Or if I should be keeping the temperature between 20-25 for the entire RJS 8 week process?
At the end of the day my plan is to follow both directions as stated. I just figured I'd ask to better understand why they differ and if anyone typically deviates from the instructions for the benefit of the wine.
Thanks!