grape ideas

[tkutch]

I just got some grapes from a neighbor who grows a few just because it was already at his home when he bought it. He does not take care of them but they were free. Well I checked the brix and it was really low at 15. Well the acid is high and have not checked the PH.

My question is I am curious what some of you guys with experience think I should do with them? I never messed with grapes with this low brix and high acid. I already adjusted the Brix and they are currently crushed sitting in primary waiting for me to try something. I just am worried if I balance everything out the wine be harsh.

Please any ideas!

 

[grapeman]

What color grapes are they, red, blue, pink,purple, white, green, yellow? It makes a difference in how they are handled. You might as well try to make wine with them now. My guess is they are Concord and a bit underripe. It will still make a wine and may need to be finished semi-sweet.

 

[AlFulchino]

whats the acidity level..did you test or learn via taste? either way is ok...just asking....you can bring the wine later to a freezer and get the acid to form crystals and drop and then rack off...you can also use pot carb to reduce somewhat

you can bring it around to being drinkable....as far as acid/sugar....flavor is your next matter

 

[tkutch]

I meant to say they are Red grapes and I live in Texas. My original plan is exactly what has been mentioned. I added sugar to bring the level of Brix up to 22 but will have to retest later. The acid levels I am not a 100% sure. I did a test and had mixed results. I do know its below 1.5 (which is high). I know the acid level is high also because when I crushed them my hands were on fire. The grapes didnt taste extremely high though. My acid test is just the acid test kit sold and dont have much experience with it.

My original plan was to press them and then MLA to bring it down and add pot carb and cold store it for a while. But I was curious if others had some ideas and experience with high numbers.

 

[AlFulchino]

1.5 is high...but use all your tools and you can bring it down to manageable levels..and if need be, then later you can use this wine w another of lesser acidity

 

[tkutch]

That was the plan. I figured I could get it to drop some. Plus I dont take 1.5 to be really accurate. Mainly because I dont have enough experience using the test kit with this grape. My main problem when testing this type of grape is when I add the solution the test tube turns colors but at the very bottom it stays the color of the wine. So I dont know if I need to add more solution from the kit or if it is done.

 

[AlFulchino]

stir your test tube more thoroughly..it should not have two levels of color

 

[tkutch]

I stirred it like crazy. Let me clarify my last comment. I have used this kit many years but never had the problems I am having with this grape. My problem is when I drop the solution it acts like normal. Then when I have added 3ml 3/4 of the test tube turns purple. Then when I add more solution it doesnt do anything till I hit 6ml and the final part turns purple. Its not a gradual change at the end. I will retest when I get the skins off it next weekend.

 

[grapeman]

Your description of the grapes, the fact that they burn your hands and location being Texas, I would suggest they are likely a Mustang grape. ,You certainly need to deal with the acid if that is the case and I have no experience with that grape type. Good luck and be sure to let us know how it turns out.



Here is a link to some information from Jack Keller
http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/mustang.asp

 

[tkutch]

thanks for the link and will keep you guys posted. I have been told they are not mustang and are "supposed" to be Lomanto and are just picked early. The grape kind of looks like them but not as dark. They were small clusters. The leaf though is completely different.


Next year I will take my refractometer and he told me he would let me pick them. He doesnt use them at all.

Anyways it doesnt hurt to learn and experiment.