wine not liked
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mmadmikes1
smart @$$
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I have dumped 6 GL before, but not before I tried to fix it. That being said the very best Reisling I have ever made I was ready to dump at one point. To tart, to sweet or to dry can be fixed
simple: don't screw up 
seriously though, by following some standard guidelines for adding acid, good recipe formulation, and knowing the types of wine you like already (i.e. I like most reds, esp merlot and chianti...I dislike most whites, especially chardonay)...you'll minimize the chances of making a stinker.
Also, just because you don't like it, doesn't mean its bad wine. Give it out as gifts. Most 'kit wines' will only run $2-$4 per bottle, and you get about 30 bottles per 6 gallon kit.
you could effectively cover all your christmas gifts to relatives for less than $70, while having fun! (i enjoy making and watching fermentation as much as I enjoy drinking the finished product).
seriously though, by following some standard guidelines for adding acid, good recipe formulation, and knowing the types of wine you like already (i.e. I like most reds, esp merlot and chianti...I dislike most whites, especially chardonay)...you'll minimize the chances of making a stinker.
Also, just because you don't like it, doesn't mean its bad wine. Give it out as gifts. Most 'kit wines' will only run $2-$4 per bottle, and you get about 30 bottles per 6 gallon kit.
you could effectively cover all your christmas gifts to relatives for less than $70, while having fun! (i enjoy making and watching fermentation as much as I enjoy drinking the finished product).
mmadmikes1
smart @$$
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I love it after reading your post I look down and Chardonnay is on list in fermentersimple: don't screw up
seriously though, by following some standard guidelines for adding acid, good recipe formulation, and knowing the types of wine you like already (i.e. I like most reds, esp merlot and chianti...I dislike most whites, especially chardonay)...you'll minimize the chances of making a stinker.
Also, just because you don't like it, doesn't mean its bad wine. Give it out as gifts. Most 'kit wines' will only run $2-$4 per bottle, and you get about 30 bottles per 6 gallon kit.
you could effectively cover all your christmas gifts to relatives for less than $70, while having fun! (i enjoy making and watching fermentation as much as I enjoy drinking the finished product).
Ive only dumped 1 6 gallon batch and it was a mistake of over sulfiting before I even made wine from it. To this day Ive only ever made 1 batch I didnt like and I bottles it as most wines you dont like now will turn around after 1 year and become good but Im betting these bottles will get dumped but who knows. Ive made 2 wines that I almost dumped and man am I glad I didnt cause after 8 months they were both very good. 1 was a RJS white Ice wine that was just disgusting at bottling time and is very very good now!!!!!
Luc
Dutch Winemaker
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Larry,
Consider these points.
Why do you make wine ??
My reason is that I want to make a beverage that is better to my liking as the store bought booze.
If that would not be my motive, I would just go to the shops and buy some wine, and not put all that effort in.
Next it is a hobby. It is not my living
And then costs are low compared to other hobbies.
So whenever I make a batch that is not upto these standards I toss it. Last summer I tossed 30 liter pumpkin wine. It was a good made wine, not too sweet, not to acidic, good flavor. We just did not like it.
I tossed a ricewine. Same story. It was well made, I just did not like it.
I also tossed 30 liter (4500 had picked petals) of dandelion must. That one spoiled on me.
Learn to toss bad batches and in the end you will end up making only good ones.
Luc
Consider these points.
Why do you make wine ??
My reason is that I want to make a beverage that is better to my liking as the store bought booze.
If that would not be my motive, I would just go to the shops and buy some wine, and not put all that effort in.
Next it is a hobby. It is not my living
And then costs are low compared to other hobbies.
So whenever I make a batch that is not upto these standards I toss it. Last summer I tossed 30 liter pumpkin wine. It was a good made wine, not too sweet, not to acidic, good flavor. We just did not like it.
I tossed a ricewine. Same story. It was well made, I just did not like it.
I also tossed 30 liter (4500 had picked petals) of dandelion must. That one spoiled on me.
Learn to toss bad batches and in the end you will end up making only good ones.
Luc
non-grapenut
Fruit Fears Me
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Blending with mistakes
Larry, I have found that blending it with another wine that either lacks body or something else may be the answer, too. I had a horrible extra-dry grapefruit wine that really tasted great with a very wet strawberry wine. Put on your white labcoat and go at it.
Most important: Try small 1-2 gallon batches of home made wine and then decide what you want a buttload of and follow your 1st recipe to a tee..this has worked best for me.
Larry, I have found that blending it with another wine that either lacks body or something else may be the answer, too. I had a horrible extra-dry grapefruit wine that really tasted great with a very wet strawberry wine. Put on your white labcoat and go at it.
Most important: Try small 1-2 gallon batches of home made wine and then decide what you want a buttload of and follow your 1st recipe to a tee..this has worked best for me.
mmadmikes1
smart @$$
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I feel a need to add that I have made wine I thought sucked and friends and nieghbors loved it. Good thing we dont all like the same things, this would be a boring world
