RJ Spagnols bottled my Super Tuscan today...

[Paulc]

I got my RJ Spagnols into bottles today! I got 30 bottles and enough left over to try a glass straight from the carboy. It tastes pretty grapey still but I hope/assume that will change with aging. My question actually is about shrink wrapping the bottle tops...mine does not seem to be working quite right as the wrap is not getting tight all the way around. I am using my wife's hair dryer on high. Is there a better way? I was wrapping them to create a more attractive presentation but odd looking scrink wrap is NOT more attractive. Thanks, Paul C

 

[xoltri]

You could try steam from a kettle. It also says on some of the instructions for them to dip them in boiling water, but I am not sure how that would work exactly, because you'd have to turn the bottles upside down at which point the capsules would fall off, wouldn't they?

I use a heat gun, it works great and is fast.

 

[Runningwolf]

A cheap heat gun works excellent. A hair dryer does not get hot enough. To complete your job today I would dip them in boiling water. Use a large fork or another utensil to hold the cap on while you dip. This is best done before your labels are on. If they are on take caution not to get them wet. You could hold the bottle with a rag in your hand around the label. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

[cpfan]

The problem with hair dryers (and some heat guns) is that they don't get hot enough. My brother and one of his buddies started makng wine a few years ago. Both used heat guns to shrink the wraps, and one was not pleased, and the other successsful. They noticed that the 'better' heat gun had higher wattage.

Personally I do the boiling water thing. Boil the water. While waiting put the shrinks on the bottles. Hold the shrink in place with a slotted wooden spoon (or similar), and turn the bottle upside down. Works very quickly (except the waiting for the pot to boil part.

A couple of other threads to look at.
http://www.winemakingtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11536
http://www.winemakingtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11406

Steve

 

[EngineJoe]

On a tangent, anyone ever made the Super Tuscan before? I'm considering the kit, but am obviously concerned by Paul's mention of it being "grapey". By experience, has it come together nicely over time?

 

[Paulc]

Thanks for all the advice...I had a heat gun in the work shop and it worked great.

And yeah, what about my grapey taste? Who has done this kit before? And what were your impressions of the taste while bottling? I did not notice much of an oak taste...TIA, Paulc

 

[Wade E]

As I stated in the other post where you asked the same question, I dont bottle nearly that early. I bottled at about 8 months and it was just tarting to come around but still has a way to go. I also always add more oak then is supplied with the kits. Always adjust a kit to your taste.

 

[xoltri]

I have this kit sitting on my wine room floor waiting for an empty primary. If you look at the comments on the RJS website there are some pretty glowing reviews of this kit and that's why I bought it...but everyone's tastes are different I guess.