First Batch EVER - pointers please

[Flem]

It's lookin' good Chris. It all perfectly normal. Good Luck!

 

[chrisj8221]

June 16, 2011

Took a reading today and the SG is at .998 - surely this can not be right? Kit going from 1.080 to .998 in 9 days? the temp has been a pretty steady 70F the whole time.

Any thoughts?

Chris

 

[closetwine]

Yes, that is quite possible, and is not uncommon.

 

[tonyt]

June 16, 2011

Kit going from 1.080 to .998 in 9 days?
Chris

Mine have gone to dry that quick several times. BTW, don't worry about when you bottle. It's your first (of many) kits. I would (and did on my first two kits) bottle according to directions and start drinking a few bottles after a month or so in bottle. That way you can enjoy the fruits of your labor while being more patient with your next kits. Many of us use some variation or modification of Tim V's 5-20-40-90 schedule.
Here's the original article about the extended process.
http://winemakermag....-kit-wine-shine
and here's an update to it.
http://winemakermag....ne-Redeaux.html

 

[Mike93YJ]

Mine have gone to dry that quick several times. BTW, don't worry about when you bottle. It's your first (of many) kits. I would (and did on my first two kits) bottle according to directions and start drinking a few bottles after a month or so in bottle. That way you can enjoy the fruits of your labor while being more patient with your next kits. Many of us use some variation or modification of Tim V's 5-20-40-90 schedule.
Here's the original article about the extended process.
http://winemakermag....-kit-wine-shine
and here's an update to it.
http://winemakermag....ne-Redeaux.html

Those links don't work. Please post them again, I'm interested!

 

[tonyt]

Those links don't work. Please post them again, I'm interested!

Seems they are no longer posted at Wienmaker. I do have the article in a word file. I will MP it to you.

 

[chrisj8221]

thanks for all the sagely advice and encouragement. While we have yet to taste the fruits of our labor - my wife and i are really getting into this. We have even decided to buy a filter/polisher for our very first batch.

Who would have guess this to be such a fun, and dare i say, family hobby?

thanks again all!

chris

 

[Dugger]

When it comes time to bottle, I suggest you put some of your wine into small bottles for sampling at various times. These can be 375 ml bottles, beer bottles, etc.
I usually make 6 small bottles, have 2 dozen to put away in boxes, and a couple to put on the rack. I sample the small ones periodically to see how the wine is doing.

 

[JohnT]

knowing that this is your first batch, I offer the following words of advise..

Aways keep you carboy as full as you possibly can. Also, resist the urge to keep opening the carboy for a taste.

Keep it sealed and full until its time to rack or bottle.

 

[chrisj8221]

what a great idea about the smaller bottles for tasting... you all rock!

 

[chrisj8221]

Well - Bottled 29 bottles today of my first batch - and - started my second - a Pinot Grigio. Here we go again!

 

[Redtrk]

Well - Bottled 29 bottles today of my first batch - and - started my second - a Pinot Grigio. Here we go again!

Did we happen to mention how addicting this is?????