WineXpert California Chardonnay

[Rocky]

I put on a triple batch of this wine today. I had ordered Chardonnay-Semillon and got three packages labeled "California Chardonnay." When I called to question the order, I was told that WineExpert had renamed the Chardonnay-Semillon and this was the new package. This was confirmed in an email to the WineExpert website.

I am breaking in my new 20 gallon (Et Tu?) Brute and it is awfully close to the top. If I get a vigorous fermentation, I could be in trouble. One thing about this kit is that it came with oak powder, 2 packages per kit. I put 4 packets in the primary. I am not sure how much oak I would like in this wine. I can always add more later.

 

[sour_grapes]

I am breaking in my new 20 gallon (Et Tu?) Brute ....

Nice one!!

Caesar: We have come not to praise him, but to ferment his grape juice.

 

[cimbaliw]

The 2 WE chard kits we've done, fermented pretty aggressively. They didn't bubble up so much as just sat under the muslin cover and sizzled loudly. I've read that chardonnay ferments pretty well if you use a carboy as the primary. Perhaps if you get into trouble you could off some into a smaller primary or even a piece of glassware and re mix at later date. Shoot Rocky for all the knowledge you've brought to the site, I think karma is on your side! Never the less, some type of catch basin might be in order.

 

[Rocky]

Paul, I remember that from my classic literature education. I think there was this Roman citizen who grew very beautiful blueberries. They were so outstanding people would come from miles around to see them and exalt their beauty. This caused the Roman government to send soldiers to confiscate the berries. When they arrived the citizen said, "Are you here to admire my berries?" The soldiers answered, "We come to seize your berries, not to praise them!"

Cimbaliw, a catch pan would have been a great idea had I thought of it in the beginning. Unfortunately, the wine is in a 20 gallon fermenter and cannot be moved (at least by me!). I can take some of the wine out of the fermenter and move it to an 8 gallon bucket if need be. Anyway, that is my emergency plan at this point.

 

[cimbaliw]

Well Rocky, I wanted to take a minute to say that the WE chards we've made are simply delightful. Having recently returned from SF and Napa, we felt that ours were as good if not better than all we tasted. Agreed ours were the WE aussie kits but I sincerely hope that you enjoy yours as much as we have ours.

BC

 

[Rocky]

Cimbaliw, a little more information on the California Chardonnay. It was re-designated to eliminate the confusion with two other Chardonnay's they offer, French Chardonnay and Australian Chardonnay. It is supposed to have both Chardonnay and Semillon juice, which is what I wanted.

Here is the query that I sent to WineExpert and their response:

MESSAGE:
I recently purchased three Winexpert kits from a retailer on the internet. I had ordered Chardonnay-Semillon and received the California Chardonnay. When I called to question why I had not received the Chardonnay-Semillon, I was told that California Chardonnay is the new designation for Chardonnay-Semillon. Is this an accurate statement? Thank you.

RESPONSE:
Hello,
Yes that is absolutely true.
Cheers,
Linda Kazakoff
Customer Service
Winexpert

 

[tonyt]

they are a very polite folk in Canada.

 

[sour_grapes]

Paul, I remember that from my classic literature education. I think there was this Roman citizen who grew very beautiful blueberries. They were so outstanding people would come from miles around to see them and exalt their beauty. This caused the Roman government to send soldiers to confiscate the berries. When they arrived the citizen said, "Are you here to admire my berries?" The soldiers answered, "We come to seize your berries, not to praise them!"

Another good one!

Here is one that I never got a chance to use in 25 years of trying, but I pass it along here. I especially hope that Seth reads this. You have to be doing some sort of experiment with the alkaline earth elements. Then you can say: "I have come not to praise cesium, but barium."

 

[Enologo]

I'm interested to see how the 20 works for you Rocky. I picked one up a while back with the same intention to make a triple batch but when i marked it out it seemed so close I was worried I wouldn't have enough room for the fermentation. So I picked up a 32 and had plenty of room, in fact I'm thinking quadruple batches and maybe more.

 

[Rocky]

I'm interested to see how the 20 works for you Rocky. I picked one up a while back with the same intention to make a triple batch but when i marked it out it seemed so close I was worried I wouldn't have enough room for the fermentation. So I picked up a 32 and had plenty of room, in fact I'm thinking quadruple batches and maybe more.

I know exactly what you mean. I had a 20 gallon fermenter (the ones that the wine equipment suppliers sell) and I had used it for several triple batches including some with grape packs. There was always enough head space at the top. This one, with three white wine kits (i.e. no grape packs) seems much closer to the top. I will keep all up to date on how it works. Ironically, I also bought a 32 gallon from a Home Depot that did not stock the 20 gallon. I returned it because it looked too big, but I wish I had kept it now. I think I will be okay with this batch, but if I were making a red with grape packs, I would be in deep sneakers.

On another matter with this wine, the kits came with oak powder/shavings that were to be added during primary. Although I knew better, I followed the instructions and added them to the must without using a bag. It said to stir them under the surface to get wet before adding the yeast. I was a little skeptical because they still floated but I followed what they wrote. I am considering scooping the oak off the surface and putting it into a strainer bag. I think I will give the wine a stir first, since the yeast is hydrated (oeno-ated?) by the wine and to get the yeast into the body of the wine. I expect that most of the oak will again surface and then I will scoop it out. Anyone see a problem with this tactic?

Here are pictures of my old 20 gallon (which has been relegated to trash can duty in my shop area) and the new Brute with the Chardonnay.

 

[Enologo]

I've done kits with the Oak chips loose and they do eventually sink. I had no problem with the yeast taking hold however when it comes time for racking I've picked up some of the chips and even transfered some over but no real problems just a little messier. I've also considered adding them in a bag but haven't tried it as yet. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Rocky]

Enologo, this morning, most of the oak powder/chips have sunk and fermentation has started, slowly but steadily. If I were to do it again, I would put the oak in a bag. I am not looking forward to the racking operations. I expect that they will be somewhat messy and require some filtration down the road.

 

[Enologo]

Not much worse than usual, after a couple of rackings it's all good. I've never had to filter.

 

[cimbaliw]

How are things Rocky messy or manageable?

 

[Rocky]

There is just a smattering of chips floating on the surface and the SG is dropping rapidly. I think I will be going to secondary tomorrow. What I plan to do is put some cheese cloth in my large funnel and fill the carboys that way. I have a spigot on the primary fermenter. Should be okay. I did put on a batch of Winexpert Selection International Nero D'Avola yesterday. It came with three bags of oak powder and one bag of oak cubes. I put the powders in the bag with the grape skins. A few have found their way out but it is much cleaner than the Chardonnay Semillon.

 

[Rocky]

The SG of the Chardonnay Semillon was down to 1.010 so I racked the wine into carboys. I netted out a little more than 18 gallons. A bit of the oak slipped by and into the carboys. It is bubbling up to the top and then sinking. I still feel that I am going to have to filter this wine unless the oak somehow gets trapped in the sediment. The Nero D'Avola looks great, cooking away. Some of the finer powdered oak has escaped the bag. Oh well, the best laid plans of mice and men...

 

[cimbaliw]

Hey Rocky any word on the chard? It should be hitting the sweet spot right about now.

 

[geek]

@Rocky
Also interested to know.....my online retailer has a sale right now and I want to buy 2 white kits, Chardonnay is in mind as well as Riesling.

 

[Rocky]

Hey Guys. Thanks for asking. The California Chardonnay turned out great. It is in the bottle and about 25% of it has been consumed. It is really a nice wine for my taste, which normally does not run to white wine. The Semillon is the perfect complement to the Chardonnay. My Bride and Daughter, the major white wine drinkers, love it.

 

[geek]

Rocky, does it have any hint of sweetness?
I tend to like whites off-dry but recently tried a Chardonnay that I REALLY liked.

I'm still debating whether to buy this or the Riesling but also whether to get the California version which is cheaper or the Australian version at about $10 more per kit.