WineXpert 5gal v. 6gal dilution

[cimbaliw]

I've read plenty of posts on this forum about undercutting the dilution of kit wines; some for, some against. I thought I'd give it a try and my wife and I just pitched a WE Shiraz at the 5 gal mark. I figured the SG would be a little elevated but it was all the way up to 1.110. That seems awfully high, especially with the "dessert wine" remark on the hydrometer. We're dry wine folk. I figure I've got another 48 hours or so to add additional water. Thoughts?

 

[Bartman]

You may have seen my posts on the subject, I would add .5 gal to bring it up to 5.5 gal for fermenting ASAP. As it is, it will probably ferment all the way out, but you run the risk of it stopping before all the sugar is converted to alcohol, which would leave you with an off-dry Shiraz. I don't think I would like that, personally. It's your party, so you can do what you want, but I think you will not be as happy with the result as you might hope. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[TonyP]

Sorry, but I don't see it. To me it's not about dilution, but mixing the batch to a proper concentration. It's like mixing cement with less water to make it stronger and getting weaker cement as a result.

There are many things I do to improve kits: re-hydration, nutrients, longer time frames, my own oak. However, I assume the kit makers know what they're doing when they recommend dilution and it's not for me to vary it.

One last point, reducing dilution by from 6 gallons to 5 results in 20% less wine. If you're not satisfied with the wine kit as it is, I feel you'd be better off spending an extra 20% to get a premium kit.

 

[jimmyjames23]

I agree with tony P. never use volume as a mark for your wine. Your Shiraz would be great between 1.080 and 1.090.
If you like dry wines that is.

 

[cimbaliw]

Thanks for the prompt posts. In the mean time I thought about it, squeezed the trigger and added the extra gallon of water. Sp gr now 1.090... I feel better. Oddly enough the cost/bottle difference between a value kit cranked down to 5 gallons and the next level up at six gallons is little if any different.

BC

 

[dillybar]

Good choice on the extra gallon. If you research WE kits and their instructions they have been carefully calculated for the additional water added even including the water required to top off after fermentation. It can have a significant effect on some critical factors like ph, yeast viability, etc...

I saw a video posted somewhere by Tim V at WE that explained the chemistry very well.

 

[robie]

Good choice on the extra gallon. If you research WE kits and their instructions they have been carefully calculated for the additional water added even including the water required to top off after fermentation. It can have a significant effect on some critical factors like ph, yeast viability, etc...

I saw a video posted somewhere by Tim V at WE that explained the chemistry very well.

I totally agree!!! Follow the instructions and don't mess with the balance. It's not worth it.