WineXpert Someone's knocking at the door......

[ibglowin]

Somebody ringing a bell......
He claims to be a Limited Release from the Red Mountain AVA in Washington state and brings a blend of Cab Sauv, Petit Verdot and Cab Franc to the party yet he brings no grape pack or grape skins with him and he's expecting me to provide one........

I am just not sure I can trust the guy. He seems a bit bossy and is already trying to push out all the Cellar Craft, and Mosti Mondiale wines out of the cellar......

I am going to let him in just this one time. I gave him a verbal warning that no Limited Release should ever be supplied without a grape pack. Luckily for him I just so happen to have one of the last Cellar Craft Syrah grape packs on hand to stuff into his pie hole.
I am going to offer him up to the Vadai wine gods as a break in wine for my 3rd 23L barrel arriving next week.
Don't tell him as I don't want this to go to his head, but he had me at Red Mountain......

 

[Wade E]

Your a brave man letting him inside your house. He's robbed me of riches I mean richness before. LOLJust kidding. I have a Stags Leap Merlot on order myself.

 

[ibglowin]

He doesn't seem to "play well with others". More than likely a one time deal. It came with 2 packages of RC212 but I don't see anything in the directions about adding both. What say ye?

 

[tdeyette]

</font>Mike
I did a small lots Meritage recently that only came with 1
packet of RC212. It took several days before I saw any yeast action. I called Winexpert
to make sure all was ok and they advised stir the juice into a froth… until
your arm feels like it is going to fall off then give it a couple more stirs.<?: prefix = o ns = "urnchemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /></font></font>

</font>Maybe the 2 packets will give it that much more yeast cells
to get started quicker!</font></font>

</font>

 

[ibglowin]

I poked around on the internet and found someone else who purchased a WE kit that came with a two pack of RC-212 and they emailed WE and got a reply that indeed yes you are supposed to use both.
I have used RC-212 before and its a good fermenter but not a fermenting monster like EC-1118. One is probably enough but two gives an insurance cushion to cover those winemakers who may not pay close enough attention to temps etc to ferment out to dry. I like the choice and will be adding some Booster Rouge in to the mix as well.

 

[vcasey]

I've had success with WE Products, especially the LE kits, even without the grape packs. Lots of folks have begged them to add grape packs to the LE kits, if I recall they wanted to keep it simple and did not feel that they needed the gps.

Wade - you are ordering a WE kit?? This one must be outstanding!

Mike you should move this to the WE section of the forum.

 

[ibglowin]

Moved!

 

[Wade E]

vcasey, Ive only ever heard great things about the Stags Leap Merlot kit and I got a great deal on it or I wouldnt have bought it. I must try it. Mike, thats unusual that they use 2 packets in a standard red wine meaning not a Port or Ice wine and the fact they strayed from EC1118 or Red Star Premier Cuvee amazes me. OI just hope mine doesnt get stuck with a higher finished sg like the first few I made which was part of the reason I stopped buying them.

 

[tonyt]

Mike, I have had two brand X kits that came with two packs of yeast. You do in fact use both of them. They did come back out with kits with grape packs and I have one cooking now. I really wish FVW still had them because they have a couple varieties that I really like, Petit Verdot and well Petit Verdot.

 

[ibglowin]

Not gonna happen. Bad blood. Apology to Neil Sadaka!

 

[tonyt]

I know but I can still be sad. The WE shop nearest me (90 miles, Texas you know) is a BREW SHOP . . . need I say more?

 

[ibglowin]

Can't believe that Houston, the 4th largest city in the nation doesn't have an option for you.
Guess you have an excuse to go to Austin for some BBQ!

 

[ibglowin]

Update: Took some pics on Saturday 24 hours post yeast pitch. Two packs of RC-212 means this thing took off like a rocket pretty much. Its dropping around .01 every day this whole week. Yesterday was at 1.020. Keeping the temps at 74 degrees with the help of a brew belt. I only added the pack of french oak sawdust/chipettes and none of the hungarian oak as this will go into the Vadai as a break in wine. The new barrel arrived yesterday. Man those things are a beautiful work of art when brand new!

 

[Wade E]

Wow, you added oak and your breaking it in on a new barrel? Someone likes to pet the Oak Monster!!!!

 

[ibglowin]

Not much and its just mostly sawdust. I also know these barrels pretty darn well now!

 

[John Prince]

I've bulk aged some ME for 6 months now. After 8 months could I rotate it through an oak barrel? I'm scared (don't know how) to use the barrel.<div id="myWatcherDiv" style="displayone;">

 

[Scott B]

Mike,
Looking Great!


I bet it smells wounderful in your Wining Room!!!!!

Have you had a lot of Snow this new Year?


Scott

 

[grapeman]

Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble..................
Looking great Mike.

 

[ibglowin]

Are you saying you have a barrel or you want to purchase one?

I've bulk aged some ME for 6 months now. After 8 months could I rotate it through an oak barrel? I'm scared (don't know how) to use the barrel.

 

[John Prince]

I got one for Christmas but haven't used it yet. Can I use wine that has been bulk aging for 8 months?<div id="myWatcherDiv" style="displayone;">