WineXpert Chocolate Raspberry Port Pre-Order from midwest

[TomK-B]

I made the WE Chocolate Raspberry and the RJS Apple Tatan in November, 2011 and gave them as Christmas gifts last year. They were both very good with the year of age on them. The Apple Tatan was probably the fuller bodied of the two. Both tasted like liquid dessert. So, I decided to do it again. Last fall I started both kits again and plan to give them as Christmas gifts this year.

But now I've decided to go a different direction for next year. Guess that means I'm at part #2 by your scale, Tess. This year I ordered two of the RJS Black Forrest kits from FVW. I do hope that kit lives up to my hopes for it!

 

[Tess]

These all would make perfect Christmas wines to pass out to the family!!! I want to buy them all. Im sick!!! Im tellin ya!! Its killing me that I have to wait till my checks drops in my bank account to get the toasted Caramel. By then its will probably be sold out!! lol..Tom, Im going part one and two this year I have a lot of catching up to do.

 

[kmarvel]

Yup, us 2 years ago. Still have a few bottles left. While we do like it, we like the Dark Chocolate Orange better. And the Toasted Carmel port made last fall is to die for. Everyone love those two.
We are waiting on the Black Forest Port that will be available soon. What could be better than chocolate and cherries! Our supplier thinks that they will have it in stock in late August or September. Check around because many places had/or may still have the Black Forest Port on early order.

The only medication that I know of is to drink more wine and place the order. LOL!

Sammy, where are you buying the Black Forest Port kit?? Sounds interesting.

Kathie

 

[kmarvel]

I found a RJ Spagnols Toasted Caramel Port on sale $69

WOW. I just ordered the caramel port also for $69. I am looking forward to this one. I ordered the coffee and the chocolate orange port from FVW also.

 

[Boatboy24]

Sammy, where are you buying the Black Forest Port kit?? Sounds interesting.

Kathie

Fine Vine Wines will be carrying it. The pre-order period is already over, but I imagine their stock will be in sometime in late Aug.

 

[Sammyk]

kmarvel LHBS

 

[Tess]

Hey went to southern Home B to order the $69.00 kits and read this
Please Note: These kits makes 3 gallons. If you are use to making 6 gallon kits then you need to order two kits. Sorry, I hadnt seen this before.

 

[Tess]

Lookig around most that I see are 3 gal kits. WTH? It better be liquid gold for 3 gal kit over 100.00 not counting shipping Im not giving it away at that price lol

 

[Sammyk]

Yes, the ports do make only 3 gallons so we bottle them in 375ml bottles. We have not found one that was not well received so I went ahead and ordered the Black Forest. Don't know the price yet but we are not too concerned given our previous experience with them

 

[kmarvel]

Hey went to southern Home B to order the $69.00 kits and read this
Please Note: These kits makes 3 gallons. If you are use to making 6 gallon kits then you need to order two kits. Sorry, I hadnt seen this before.

Tess,
Most of the Port kits make only 3 gallons.

 

[Tess]

Yes, Im finding that out lol

 

[SouthernChemist]

The plus side is that you will add very little water to the kit. And 3 gallon carboys appear to be more consistent in volume than say the 6 gallon carboys that are actually 6.5 or so gallons.

 

[Tess]

I'll buy two kits. I really dont have or want a 3 gal carboy. Besides if its that good. Im gonna want 6 gal of it. I'll add marbles or something when it comes time to top up or find a tasty choc wine

 

[TomK-B]

Oh, Tess, top up with brandy!!

 

[robie]

I'll buy two kits. I really dont have or want a 3 gal carboy. Besides if its that good. Im gonna want 6 gal of it. I'll add marbles or something when it comes time to top up or find a tasty choc wine

If you continue to make wine, I doubt you will go very much longer without at least wanting to buy some 3 gallon carboys. They are great when you want to experiment with your wines, as you can split a 6-gallon kit into two carboys, doing different things to each. If you do like the port kits, they are all 3-gallon and you won't always want to make 2 at a time.

If and when you want a 3-gallon, go ahead and buy 2 of them; they are less expensive than the bigger carboys. I know all this can get expensive, that's why I always tried to buy a little at a time until I finally got my equipment inventory built up. Of course life won't end for you if you never buy the 3-gallon.

And yes, top the ports off with brandy!!!

 

[Thig]

Oh, Tess, top up with brandy!!

I second that

 

[SouthernChemist]

Besides being cheaper, the 3 gallon carboys have a more consistent volume. They're smaller (goes without saying), and they can be a lot easier to move around. Amazon used to sell them for 25 bucks a piece (great deal with free Prime shipping), but unfortunately I don't think they sell them anymore.

Plus, why make 6 gallons of one port when you can make 3 gallons of two different ports?

 

[GaDawg]

Do they make a raspberry brandy?

 

[SouthernChemist]

Do they make a raspberry brandy?

I'm not sure about a commercial source, but you could probably just add some raspberries to brandy and allow the fruit to sit for several days. The raspberry flavor will just be extracted into the brandy.

 

[Geronimo]

I think you'll find that the raspberry flavor is quite strong, in the style of a flavored port (which is meant to be sipped). The chocolate is much more in the background however.

Even if you topped up with a decent red wine you'll be fine. Many people can't get the FG below 1.020 before adding the flavoring.