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Manimal, I do get most of my juices from Kamil. I was introduced to wine making using their juice, even before I tried kits. It's good to know that less than the recommended amount will work well. I would agree that adding less if you can is better. I'll probably try reducing the amount I add in...

I use gelatin in my wines made from Juice (i.e. not kits) at a slightly higher rate than has already been mention, about 1/4 to 1/2 level tsp dissolved in a couple oz. of boiling water and let to cool for about 20 mins. I use this with kieselsol in the white wines as was mentioned. I have used...

Thanks guys that's helpful. Brant, the details you provided are exactly what I was looking for. I think I'll try a sterling at some point, maybe the Pinot Noir, and do a comparison first hand. For now I decided to try a CC Showcase Rosso Fortissimo (opposite end of the spectrum from what I...

Hi all, Hoping someone out there who has experience with both levels of kits can provide guidance here. I'm relatively new to kits and have made a few higher end kits and most of them are aging as we speak. I'm ready now to start a few more and have been talking with my LHBS owner and he...

Been reading up on Skeeter Pee and think I'll give it a try... don't have a slurry available as I usually ferment to dry in my primary. It sounds though like folks have had good success creating a small starter batch of wine and using that instead. What recipes have folks used with good...

Thanks again for the replies. Sounds like leaving it is the best approach... I have thought about testing... but don't know anyone near by with the equipment. What do you guys use to test? I saw an add in Winemaker Magazine for a tester from Vinmetrica (I think) and saw that mentioned here...

Waiting to be made Winexpert Blackberry Port In some stage of being made RJS RQ Hang Ten - (Muscat Symphony Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay) Winexpert Chocolate Raspberry Port Festa Juice Pinot Noir Fresh Festa Juice Merlot Premium Fresh with Skins Bottled CC Showcase Barbera RJS Cru Select...

It was 30 bottles. I didn't originally plan on touching it that fast. I wasn't going to open the first bottle until after 3 months, and let it age from there... Figured I try and give it closer to 1 year, but I may have to change plans :) Thanks for taking the time to respond.

I added both a pkg. of Sulphite and a pkg. Potassium Sorbate about 30 days ago as per the instructions and nothing since. I didn't do any bulk aging - just wanted to follow the instructions as this is only my 2nd batch - so I haven't add anything more. Hope that helps. Can't believe I missed...

I just bottled a batch of kit wine over the weekend. It was the RJ Spagnols LE Toro. I forgot to add the little extra k meta that is recommended if you are cellaring for more than 6 months. Based on the nature of this red, I really hoped to store it that long or longer... what would you do to...

Do you find when you stir kits every day or so that they have a tendency to ferment more quickly? I've taken a similar approach and all of my kits have fermented to below 1.000 days early than the kit instructions suggest. Is that to be expected?

Can you point me too or share your recipe for the Welches jalapeño wine? That sounds very interesting... Andrew

Thanks for all the replies. Exactly what I was looking for. As always a couple different perspectives, but that's what I love about places like this. You can evaluate the reasons given for different approaches and make your own decision. Thanks again all!

Question for you folks... I've heard a lot of people talk about putting k-meta solution in the airlock. The Spagnol kit I just started made reference to this, as mild sulphite solution. Question is, what ratio of water to k-meta do you guys use? The same for addition to wine? or something...

Thanks guys. I appreciate the info. It sounds like my goal should be a high-end kit with grape skins if I want to have a good shot at maintaining the varietal characteristics. Thanks again.

Wade, that would be the Cru Select Platinum Chilean Malbec? If so, my retailer carries those as well, so I may give that one a shot instead if you've had success. Thanks for the info.

Thanks for the welcome Jon. I've done winemaking in the past at a place near where I live. I always wanted to try it at home but never had the space in our condo. We recently moved to a new house and I now have the space :) The place I used, provided unconcentrated juice and I found the...

Forgive me if this is a question previously asked and responded too... I'm looking for a kit wine that makes a decent Malbec. I have read comments on a number of kits that suggest the finished wines don't exhibit typical Malbec traits. Can anyone who has made the Cellar Classic Winery...