Checking In

[Mcamnl]

I have been reading through the forum for a bit now and thought I would say hi.
I am on my third batch of wine now. The first two were done with the Artful Winemaker kit and I was really disappointed. My wife and I followed the directions to the letter and didn't like what we got.
A friend of mine has been making wine for a while now and I have really liked what I have tasted of his. That is what prompted the first kit.
When the club he belongs to made their spring purchase, I asked if he could help me out with another try. I purchased a bucket of juice from Chile for a Syrah. He offered his equipment for this batch before I totally invest.

So far I am really happy with what I am making. We have tasted it a couple of times at different points and it is fantastic. I am looking at bottling around the 4th of July. (Patience is not a virtue I have)
I am excited to start another batch and am having a hard time deciding what to do next. My wife likes more of a blush or white wine so I figure the next batch should be more geared towards her.

Any suggestions?
I saved the bucket my juice came in so I am figuring I can use that as a primary. My friend said he would part with one of his many carboys for a few bucks. So a few more items and I should be good to go on another batch. Decisions decisions.
I am looking forward to learning more and taking part in the discussions.

Mike

 

[ibglowin]

Welcome to the forums and your new hobby/obsession!

The bucket may be too small for a primary. It really should be ~ 8 gallons as when the fermentation takes off it can almost bubble over with a smaller bucket so measure it with milk jugs first to see how much it holds.

As far as kits go, you get what you pay for pretty much across the line so go with what ever your budget will allow for. Any of the Cellar Craft mid range or Mosti Mondial mid range kits will give a good bang for the buck. I would make a Pinot Grigio. Nice, light easy to drink and it will be ready in a little as 3 months.

Unfortunately this is a hobby that patience is a virtue and the longer you can let things age usually the better and especially with the higher end kits. A year is usually the minimum and 18 months is just about peak time for most of the red kits. Whites will always be much faster (3-6 months)

So relax, make a few kits, and buy commercial wine to enjoy today and save the bottles for when your ready!

 

[Bert]

Welcome Mcamnl to the great hobby of wine making.....ibglowin has some very good advice there or give George a call, he can give some great advice on kits and anything you might need to help make your wine.....GOOD LUCK

 

[Waldo]

Welcome, glad to have you onboard

 

[Wade E]

Sorry to hear about your first efforts, those were bottom line kits and I really dont like the fact they are even made as it can turn many people off thinking wine making is hard and that they did something wrong. Im thinking a White Zin might be up your wifes alley possibly which is a slightly sweet Rose. Below is the link and its a mid series kit that will be ready to drink fairly soon. I included 2 choices for this kit from 2 different manufacturers. One has a sweetening kit built in and one does not if she would rather prefer it dry.
http://www.finevinewines.com/ProdDet.asp?PartNumber=VN43
http://www.finevinewines.com/ProdDet.asp?PartNumber=24758

 

[Julie]

Hi Mike,


I just joined this site a couple of days ago, I lot of really nice people here. What type of wine does your wife like, in particular what type of what wine does she like. I woule make one of the higher end kits in the type that she likes. I like a lot of whites as well, particularly riesling or gewurtz. Gook luck in your venture.

 

[Mcamnl]

Thanks for the links Wade. I showed them to my wife and she likes the looks of the sweeter one.

The bucket I have is a 6 gallon. We used it as the primary for the Syrah I have going and it seemed ok. I don't want to make any messes though so I will look into a bigger one.

Julie, I haven't had Gewurtz before. I'll look into that one also. I may have 2 going at the same time here.

 

[Wade E]

That bucket can be risky fermenting 6 gallons of wine in so be ready for a mess one of these times as it will happen. They are ok for 5 gallon batches which are not offered in kits but if and when you start making wines from fruits it will do.

 

[Runningwolf]

Mike welcome aboard. I agree with a Gewurtz being an excellent wine

 

[smurfe]

Welcome aboard. Glad to have you here.

 

[Tom]

Mike,
Welcome. Here you will find a wealth of info.