Hello Rocky, all,
Would you suggest any modifications to your Vin Santo recipe? I read that you might have wanted to add time in barrel (American White Oak Spirals - Medium Plus Toast: a good substitute? [Aromas of honey, roasted nuts and a hint of coffee and spices]), and a caution about adding too much almond extract.
Does the following look like a good, detailed, recipe for "Rocky's Ersatz Vin Santo?"
Thanks.
Mosti Mondiale, Meglioli, Malvasia Aromatica (Bianca) Kit. 23L. (6 gal)
Add "a box" of white raisins to primary.
Chapitalize to increase the alcohol, targeting 16% ABV.
"17 g. of fermentable sugar - dextrose (corn sugar) or sucrose (beet or cane sugar) - per liter will raise the alcohol content by 1% alc./vol, or 9.2 g/L will raise the Brix by 1 [degree] B." Pambianchi, pg. 116.
My un-Chapitalized Malvasia Aromatic kit had a theoretical ABV of 11.525. So, want to increase the alcohol by 4.5%. So, 4.5 x 17g = 76.5 g. 76.5 x 23L = 1759.5 g = 1759.5/453.592 = 3.879 lb.
Add the sugar to Primary at SG 1.020 (5-7 days in Primary)
Dissolve the sugar in 350 ml. of hot water. Let cool, add to wine and stir well.
Add in 2 stages. Two days apart. Estimated time in secondary 5-7 days.
Determine the final alcoholic content as shown on Pambianchi's pg. 117.
Transfer to Secondary when the SG has fallen back down to 1.018 (an additional 5-7 days in Primary).
Stabilize at 1.010 (after 10 days in Secondary). (Sulfite only, no sorbate at this time or fining agents.)
Rack off sediment at 3 weeks.
After 7 more weeks:
Measure SO2 and adjust if necessary.
Add Flavorings:
Lemon extract: 2 tablespoons
Orange extract: 2 tablespoons
Almond extract: 1 teaspoon
Back Sweeten to SG 1.025 (or to desired viscosity and taste).
Sweeten with un-used F-Packs from Winexpert Cream Sherry kits. Make up any lack with sugar syrup.
Add Sorbate pkg that came with the Malvasia Bianca kit. (5g packet.)
10-20 g/hL wine. 10 g * .23 hL in a 23L kit = 2.3 g. Use the lower end of the range, 10 g, when the alcohol content of the wine is high. See Pambianchi, pg. 297 and 298.
Add Fining agents that came with the Malvasia Bianca kit.
Let clear for an additional 3 weeks.
Bottle