Cellar Craft Viognier (Showcase International)

[smokegrub]

I just finished pitching the yeast on this one. The initial SG was 1.085. The initial SG was not mentioned in the kit instructions. Is this within the typical range?

 

[Wade E]

This is standard for a white wine.

 

[smokegrub]

Thanks, Wade. Fermentation is underway 5 hours after I pitched the yeast. I was a little surprised that the kit had no oak. This is my first Viognier so that may be standard for this wine.

 

[Wade E]

These wines are supposed to be mostly fruit forward, typically apricots and pears with maybe a hint of honey in the background. There is 1 kit that is very lightly oaked and that is the MM Renaissance.

 

[smokegrub]

Thanks, again.

 

[smokegrub]

The Viognier is now under airlock.

 

[smokegrub]

The Viognier has been racked, sulfited, sorbated, etc. and is clearing. This looks like its going to be a great one.

 

[K&GB]

Smokegrub,


We open our fist bottle of WE Selection Series VIognier this past weekend. It was wonderful. I should have made two kits. You're going to really enjoy this one.


Ken

 

[smokegrub]

Thanks for the encouragement, Ken. It is going to be difficult to wait 6 months before trying this one.

 

[smokegrub]

The Viognier is clearing very, very slowly no doubt attributable to the fact this was a very gassy wine. I have a brake bleeder on order and will use that to degas. Hopefully, the wine will clear quickly thereafter.

 

[Wade E]

If you have added any fining agents dont degas until you rack off the sediment or it will disturb it and stir it all up again.

 

[K&GB]

If I recall correctly, my WE Viognier used Isinglass for a clarifier. It took about three weeks to clear. But I had it in the cold (garage-50s) for the first week and then moved it back inside.

 

[smokegrub]

The instructions say to give it 3 weeks after adding the SuperKleer. It has only been a week or so, but my experience with SuperKleer is that the sediment typically precipitates "like a rock" in a day or so. I will give it the recommended time in any case, and I will rack it before degassing. Great input! Thanks.

 

[kcdig1]

Ahhhhh. I remember this kit. It's been years, but it was the BEST smelling wine in my bathroom/winery to date.

I trust that it is coming along nicely now.

kc

 

[smokegrub]

I have left it under airlock longer than usual for me. I hopw to bottle it in the next couple of days.

 

[smokegrub]

I bottled this one about a month ago. I couldn't stand it so I opened a bottle tonight to assess its potential. It is already great!

 

[Wade E]

Good news Smoke!