Top up dragons blood

[jvr06]

I'm getting ready to rack and sweeten my DB, I was wondering what anyone has used to top-up with? I know I'm going to be short and I would like to get some suggestions on what has worked well with others. Thanks for any help.

 

[Boatboy24]

For my first batch, I used a store bought strawberry wine. After that, I simply started making an extra half gallon or so.

 

[GEM]

Is it OK to sweeten with Splenda, or something like that instead of using regular sugar?

 

[Arne]

If you are going to bottle the D.B. shortly after sweetening, I wouldn't bother topping up. If you are going to let it age for a while, it is top up time.
GEM. You can sweeten with splenda. I don't know if it will ferment or not. Do not think it will, but if it does make sure you stabalize it first. Good luck with it, Arne.

 

[Elmer]

I had the same dilema last weekend.
I cleared it and racked to a 5 gallon carboy, sweetened and bottled the next day.
I will let it age in the bottle if they make it through the weekend!

 

[Boatboy24]

Is it OK to sweeten with Splenda, or something like that instead of using regular sugar?

I believe it is, but personal taste may come into play. I haven't found an artificial sweetener that I can stand the taste of, so I won't put any into my wine. Sugar is sweet, and safe (unless you have certain health conditions).

 

[GEM]

Thanks for the splenda info. Of all the artificial sweeteners, I can stand Splend on my cereal, so I thought I might try it on the batch I am making this week. I am going to bulk age it for a month or so before bottling and I was thinking I might backsweeten after the bulk aging. Will that work or should I backsweeten sooner? Gary

 

[Arne]

You can backsweeten before you bottle, Gary. Try a little bench testing before you try and sweeten the whole batch. Draw a glass or two and use the splenda on it. If you decide you don't like it, you won't mess up the whole batch. I always try the same thing with sugar to see how sweet I like it. Arne.

 

[Tess]

I like to back sweeten with Splenda as well I call it skinny wine!! lol

 

[Ernest T Bass]

Found this on Facebook????????

.

 

[GEM]

Thanks for all this info. I am going to do some test trials on it to see how it tastes and if it is not OK, I will back sweeten with regular sugar. I will report back.