really really new wine "maker"

really really new wine "maker"

Post by Bryan Fazek » Wed, 07 Jan 1998 04:00:00



1. Review the r.c.w FAQ (see my sig line) - it will answer questions
you don't yet know enough to ask.  It's a *bit* long, but worth it.

2. Follow the kit directions *exactly*.

3. Make a sterilizing solution with sodium or potassium metabisulphite
and rinse EVERYTHING with it every time you do anything.  See the FAQ
for details.


Quote:
>Hi all

>My wife and I bought together for Xmas the equipment and a wine "kit" (ie:
>containes concentrate, sugar,...) to begin our new hobby. We're all set to
>make our first batch and have read all that we can get our hands on. Anybody
>have any "make sure you do this" or "don't do that" suggestions before we start?

---
Bryan

for more info check out the rec.crafts.winemaking
FAQ:  http://www.pobox.com/~malak/rcw.faq

 
 
 

really really new wine "maker"

Post by Don Buch » Wed, 07 Jan 1998 04:00:00


Quote:
>My wife and I bought together for Xmas the equipment and a wine "kit" (ie:
>containes concentrate, sugar,...) to begin our new hobby. We're all set to
>make our first batch and have read all that we can get our hands on. Anybody
>have any "make sure you do this" or "don't do that" suggestions before we

start?

I won't direct you to the FAQ at

http://www.pobox.com/~malak/rcw.faq

Because at least two other people have done so already.

I won't tell you to follow the instructions because at least two others have
already.  Nor will I tell you about sanitation, which needs to be followed
religiously.

I would like to direct you to:

http://www.pobox.com/~malak/kits

because I wrote that about four years ago when a friend wanted to get her
husband into the hobby through the use of kits.

But I will do something that at least one person has done before:

Welcome to the hobby!

----------

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(Mtl Que Can), firstarter FAQ, Scouting FTP & Super Scout(er), Star Trek
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really really new wine "maker"

Post by mck.. » Fri, 09 Jan 1998 04:00:00



Quote:
>Hi all

>My wife and I bought together for Xmas the equipment and a wine "kit" (ie:
>containes concentrate, sugar,...) to begin our new hobby. We're all set to
>make our first batch and have read all that we can get our hands on. Anybody
>have any "make sure you do this" or "don't do that" suggestions before we start?

>Thanks in advance. :-)

>Cameron

I started home winemaking only two years ago and can appreciate
your enthusiasm. as some have already mentioned, follow kit
instructions religiously and ensure ALL instuments are sterile.
Something I started after the first 2 or three batches was a homemade
form for each batch made. It includes a vertical calander so I could
record the progress of the wine such as s.g. readings, temperature,
the days and dates that racking was done or agents added. I also
included all costs associated with the batch and the yield. I then had
a comment section that I could jot down things that I could do
differently in the future (try oak chips, use or don't use clearing
agents etc.)  I also graded the wine on a scale of 1-10 as I was
experimenting with various wines. I find it a handy reference if I
want to make a specific type again. It's fun to look back on as you
become more experienced.......Enjoy !

Don
Fergus, Ont. Canada.
religiously and

 
 
 

really really new wine "maker"

Post by Judy Tolliv » Fri, 09 Jan 1998 04:00:00


Always top off with wine.  Never top off with water. I also know two
people who have made this mistake, having topped off with water.  When I
read the directions to one of these kits, I could see how easily that
could be done.

Judy

 
 
 

really really new wine "maker"

Post by Phil Lose » Fri, 09 Jan 1998 04:00:00



Quote:
>Hi all

>My wife and I bought together for Xmas the equipment and a wine "kit" (ie:
>containes concentrate, sugar,...) to begin our new hobby. We're all set to
>make our first batch and have read all that we can get our hands on. Anybody
>have any "make sure you do this" or "don't do that" suggestions before we start?

>Thanks in advance. :-)

>Cameron

A few people have told you to follow the kit instructions faithfully.
This is good advice for your first attempt.  

However, with subsequent batches, and having read up a bit on the
subject (e.g. the FAQ),  I wouldn't be afraid to change some of the
kit instructions .  Keep in mind that the kit manufacturers are
catering to the typical consumer's desire for instant gratification,
so they tell you to bottle after four weeks (this is assuming that you
are using a typical "wine kit").  At this point I would ignore their
advice and keep the wine in the carboy for a few more weeks/months
before bottling.    

Phil

To reply, remove KILLJUNK from address.

 
 
 

really really new wine "maker"

Post by Tonya Ros » Sat, 10 Jan 1998 04:00:00



Quote:
> Always top off with wine.  Never top off with water. I also know two
> people who have made this mistake, having topped off with water.  When I
> read the directions to one of these kits, I could see how easily that
> could be done.

Okay, I am new to this too.  Just started my first batch in the primary
last week (a kit).  The kit I have says to top up with cooled boiled
water.  If you don't top up with water, what do you top up with?

Just for your information.  My boyfriend bought a huge pile of apples
today to try apple cider with and when I go home next year I intend to get
a bunch of wild blueberries and partridge berries (something like a wild
cranberry) for wine making.  My father used to make wines when I was
growing up and I liberated his recipes the last time I was home.  So I
also intend to get into this seriously - I grew up on wine.

Ton

 _______
When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth with
your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will
always long to return.                               Leonardo da Vinci


 
 
 

really really new wine "maker"

Post by Tom Sha » Tue, 13 Jan 1998 04:00:00


Quote:


> > Always top off with wine.  Never top off with water. I also know two
> > people who have made this mistake, having topped off with water.  When I
> > read the directions to one of these kits, I could see how easily that
> > could be done.

> Okay, I am new to this too.  Just started my first batch in the primary
> last week (a kit).  The kit I have says to top up with cooled boiled
> water.  If you don't top up with water, what do you top up with?

>Either the extra gallon that you saved for the purpose or, more probably in the case of a kit, commercial wine or some left over from previous kits.

TS
 
 
 

really really new wine "maker"

Post by Bryan Fazek » Tue, 13 Jan 1998 04:00:00


On Fri, 9 Jan 1998 17:44:29 GMT, Tonya Rose

Quote:


>> Always top off with wine.  Never top off with water. I also know two
>> people who have made this mistake, having topped off with water.  When I
>> read the directions to one of these kits, I could see how easily that
>> could be done.

>Okay, I am new to this too.  Just started my first batch in the primary
>last week (a kit).  The kit I have says to top up with cooled boiled
>water.  If you don't top up with water, what do you top up with?

I'd use an inexpensive, decent tasting wine.  If you don't like the
taste, then don't use it.

Casarsa (Italian) makes a Merlot and a Pinot Grigio that are
inexpensive ($5 US for 1.5 liter at Sam's Wholesale Club) and taste
decent.  These aren't exceptional wines, but neither will they
interfere with taste of most wines.

In the future you could reserve a few bottles from your current batch
to use in topping off future batches.

Most of my wine is made from fresh grapes, so I tend to buy more than
I anticipate will fill an even number of carboys.  I keep extra 4
liter, 1.5 liter, 750 ml, and 375 ml bottles for holding extra without
much air space.  Then each time I rack I top up the carboys with the
smaller bottles.

When making wine from kits, you can purchase an extra can of
concentrate to make a slightly larger quantity of wine, so you'll have
a bit extra to keep the carboy topped up.

Quote:
>Just for your information.  My boyfriend bought a huge pile of apples
>today to try apple cider with and when I go home next year I intend to get
>a bunch of wild blueberries and partridge berries (something like a wild
>cranberry) for wine making.  My father used to make wines when I was
>growing up and I liberated his recipes the last time I was home.  So I
>also intend to get into this seriously - I grew up on wine.

Sounds good.  For more information and recipes, check out Don Buchan's
web site (see my sig line).  In addition to hosting the r.c.w FAQ, he
has a serious load of other good stuff there.

---
Bryan

for more info check out the rec.crafts.winemaking
FAQ:  http://www.pobox.com/~malak/rcw.faq