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    WineXpert What is your longest aged kit wine in your cellar?

    I've made several WE Eclipse series kits and none have been impressive thus far. My oldest is the Lodi Ranch Cab Sav that is now 4.5 years old. It is just now starting to turn towards what may be outstanding... if it continues. I'm going to give it another year before opening the next bottle.
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    Anybody with Loquat wine experience ?

    When I get a crop I freeze them. I haven't checked their SG but I imagine it's too low for wine. I have used mine in the secondary added to beer (wheat) and it turned out nicely.
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    Wine cellar questions

    As for CO2 I ferment in my cellar and was concerned about high levels. I have ventilation fans I can turn on so I put an O2 sensor in to ensure proper air quality. As an example I just finished 3 five gallon batches and the O2 never got below 20%. The cellar has a tight seal with concrete floor...
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    WineXpert Wine Expert Cabernet Sauvignon instructions

    I've been brewing beer and making wine for 30 years but just started making wine from kits within the past 5 years. One thing I learned is to not count on the instructions. With the kits I started out just following them and not adhering to my knowledge, thinking the manufacturers knew best...
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    Persimmon wine, how long does it take to clear?

    I make persimmon wine along with other varieties. The answer is never as best I’ve seen. Ive used super kleer and cold crashing for long periods and it’s still hazy.
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    RJ Spagnols RJS En Primeur Winery Series - Italian Super Tuscan

    I made one last year after strong recommendations for this kit. My OG was 1.121 following the instructions. My initial yeast was RC-212. It only got down to 0.999 FG after sitting a couple of weeks and adding some EC-1118 to try to get it down further. I have learned now not to blindly...
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    viable way to crush "thick-hulled" muscadines?

    I've tried different methods for my muscadines over the last 20+ years. I don't have a crusher yet, but have settled on this as my current method. I put about 4-5" at a time in a 5-gallon bucket and have a five foot 2x4 (pressure treated for extra weight) and smash them in the bucket. It...
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    Recommendations for new pH meter?

    I've been using $13 this one for several years and still spot on for measurements. It lasted longer than my expensive one. https://www.amazon.com/High-Precision-Suitable-Accurate-Aquariums-Hydroponics/dp/B091SKXTXD/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=ph+meter&qid=1622812223&sr=8-3
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    Clearing wine without chemicals?

    Cold crashing is a common method for brewing beer. Chill it to 40 F or below for a day or two. Wine should take longer, so I let wine sit at least a week.
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    Persimmon wine - formed solids - what went wrong?

    The prior comments are all good. I smash my persimmons then add water and sugar as the sugar content is not high. I leave it all in the primary about five days before racking to secondary. I haven’t had any problem with high solids.
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    What was your biggest 'ah ha moment' to help you make better wine?

    Coming from making wine from my own muscadines for years and then adding on kits: I'm now applying what I've learned in this forum and making detailed measurements for my grapes. Number one thing I've learned so far: Measure everything and adjust -- don't trust the kit instructions. People...
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    To MLF or not to MLF...?

    I just did my first MLF on a white. I kept it at 70F and after two weeks its about done. It did take several days to start. It made a big improvement to the wine, which was a bit harsh with a high TA and now is much smoother.
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    Muscadine varieties for wine

    For scuppernongs my favorite is Pam. I have several other varieties: Fry, Darlene, etc that aren't nearly as good in my small vineyard. It's a heavy producer and I love the taste. For the black muscadines I have Ison's and Nobles. Ison's is a good producer and has good flavor. The Noble...
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    Ads making this site unusable

    Thanks for the account tip. It’s better now. FYI this what I was getting before So you can see why I brought this up.
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    Ads making this site unusable

    I typically use this web site on my iPad with Safari, many times by clicking a topic from the daily email. The site has gotten almost unusable recently due to the ads covering everything up. I had to switch to my Mac with Safari where the ads are now in a less invasive space. Is anyone else...
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    Increasing Brix in the vineyard

    Having tried growing hops in Georgia I know that we don't have the sunlight of the prime growing areas in the northwest. We're lucky to get 20% on the muscadine grapes here. I know that their brix was down this year due to so much rain... 15-16 brix. I have a Cynthiana grape vine, among many...
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    About To Try the RJ Spagnols Super Tuscan

    I’m curious as to what your FG was. Mine right now will not get below 1.000, and after multiple properly prepped repitchings. Has anyone ever used glucoamylase to dry out their wines?
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    About To Try the RJ Spagnols Super Tuscan

    I have this same kit finishing fermentation now. Since you’re just starting with this hobby my suggestions are: Start with the instructions. It will tell you how much water to add. However, before adding the final half gallon or so, check your OG. You want to do what Rocky says and get it...
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    Kit Wine Taste

    Yes, during fermentation but it’s gone now on the SB. I didn’t check prefermentation. I’ll be checking two reds next week that were bottled last year.
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    Kit Wine Taste

    I’m on my eighth kit and have noticed the taste described here. I’ve been making beer and home grape wine for almost thirty years and am familiar with beer off flavors but this one is new. All of my kits so far except one are from Wine Expert Eclipse. They all have that taste, even the...
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