WineXpert Island Mist Blackberry Cabernet

[mjdtexan]

I have one of those kits going. I have been through step 1 and almost all of step 2. The ending of step two says to leave carboy for 10 more days.


The beginning of step three says to check (after ten days) the SG and see if it is .996 or less.


Well, I noticed today that all of the sudden my air lock was only giving me a bubble every 4 or 5 seconds. Yesterday it was about every 2 seconds. So I got suspicious and checked the SG. It was .990. If it is stable at .990 tomorrow should I go ahead with step 3?


Tempature of must is 72f. Starting SG was 180. Today is day five of the ten day wait.

 

[grapeman]

What's the rush? Take your time and let the gas vent out some. It will make degassing easier later and allow for better clearing.

 

[mjdtexan]

What's the rush? Take your time and let the gas vent out some. It will make degassing easier later and allow for better clearing.

Not a problem, I am not in a rush, I was just making sure that everything is going smoothly, not finishing to fast or something.

 

[grapeman]

Lesson #1 with Winemaking - take your time and practice patience. That's the toughest hurdle you need to overcome. Follow directions the best you can, practice reasonable sanitation and heavy on the patience!

 

[mjdtexan]

Lesson #1 with Winemaking - take your time and practice patience. That's the toughest hurdle you need to overcome. Follow directions the best you can, practice reasonable sanitation and heavy on the patience!

but, i'm thirsty

.


Yeah, I know. It is my first batch though, well, not really, I started a 1 gallon mead the day before I started that kit. I've got some apple juice in the primary now. I guess it will all pay off when I can look in the wine closet (we dont have cellars) and put my hand on a bottle whenever I feel like it. Right now I've still got to go to the store ifin I want to taste wine. Drank a little Chivas Regal tonight.

 

[ASAI]

I don't have enough experience to give advice. I did this as my first kit, in Jan 09, and it is the only one finished. I don't understand your starting SG of 180, mine was 1.049; also mine finished at .997, never did get below .996. I waited the time 15 days total, made sure it was stable. Based on what I understood from what I read here in other post, this was normal for this type of kit.

 

[Tom]

but, i'm thirsty

.


Yeah, I know. It is my first batch though, well, not really, I started a 1 gallon mead the day before I started that kit. I've got some apple juice in the primary now. I guess it will all pay off when I can look in the wine closet (we dont have cellars) and put my hand on a bottle whenever I feel like it. Right now I've still got to go to the store ifin I want to taste wine. Drank a little Chivas Regal tonight.[/QUOTE]


Mjdtexan.
You chose a "fast" kit to make. That is you don't need to age it.
There are 6 words to remember
Like what Appleman said
Patience
Patience
Patience
AND
Taste
Taste
Taste
Enjoy your "new" hobby.!

 

[mjdtexan]

I don't have enough experience to give advice. I did this as my first kit, in Jan 09, and it is the only one finished. I don't understand your starting SG of 180, mine was 1.049; also mine finished at .997, never did get below .996. I waited the time 15 days total, made sure it was stable. Based on what I understood from what I read here in other post, this was normal for this type of kit.

I up'ed the sugar in this kit so that I did not have to drink it all right away.

but, i'm thirsty

.


Yeah, I know. It is my first batch though, well, not really, I started a 1 gallon mead the day before I started that kit. I've got some apple juice in the primary now. I guess it will all pay off when I can look in the wine closet (we dont have cellars) and put my hand on a bottle whenever I feel like it. Right now I've still got to go to the store ifin I want to taste wine. Drank a little Chivas Regal tonight.


Mjdtexan.
You chose a "fast" kit to make. That is you don't need to age it.
There are 6 words to remember
Like what Appleman said
Patience
Patience
Patience
AND
Taste
Taste
Taste
Enjoy your "new" hobby.!

Yeah, I know. In a couple of years I will have a collection like yall and it'll be all good.

 

[mjdtexan]

I am now not getting any bubbles in my fermenter and I am in day 8 of my 10 day wait before putting in f-pac. Is this normal?

 

[Tom]

Yes.

I would wait for the 10 days just incase.

You cant go wrong if you follow the directions. They are a "general rule" which it may take longer or shorter depending on the conditions.

Remember Patience........

 

[mjdtexan]

Well, everything is going good. I put in the f-pak and all of that. Its amazing how much stuff is on the bottom. It makes me wonder if there really is 6 gallons of wine in there. It looks like a gallon or better of stuff in the bottom. I have about 1 liter in ajar that I had to take out so that I could put the f-pac in but there is more stuff in the bottom than that. How does that work exactly? Do you wind up with less than 6 gallons?

 

[grapeman]

The lees compact quite a bit on the bottom with just a bit of time, lessenong losses. You will find that you normally get from 28.5-30.5 bottles out of a batch. I most comonly get 29 full bottles and a glas or two to drink while bottling and corking/labeling, etc.


When doing these IM kits and even the Orchard Breezin ones, I typically bottle 10 full size 750's and bottle the balance in 375 ml bottles. I like to cool one slightly and bring it out while I mow the lawn in the summer. If I drank a whole big bottle while mowing the lawn, I might be missing a few shrubs and flower beds!

 

[mjdtexan]

Well, I am going to bottle the stuff tomorrow. I hope its good.

 

[mjdtexan]

Well, I am going to bottle the stuff tomorrow. I hope its good.

Well, I am suprised at how dry this wine finished. I was thinking is was going to finish sweet. I did backsweeten it to a low/medium sweet. I racked it off to three 4 liter jugs and the rest wine bottles. It taste alright, I guess.


I just have to face it, I like the fruit wines better I expect.


Good thing watermelon goes into ground on the 1st of April.

 

[gaudet]

The lees compact quite a bit on the bottom with just a bit of time, lessenong losses. You will find that you normally get from 28.5-30.5 bottles out of a batch. I most comonly get 29 full bottles and a glas or two to drink while bottling and corking/labeling, etc.


When doing these IM kits and even the Orchard Breezin ones, I typically bottle 10 full size 750's and bottle the balance in 375 ml bottles. I like to cool one slightly and bring it out while I mow the lawn in the summer. If I drank a whole big bottle while mowing the lawn, I might be missing a few shrubs and flower beds!

or fingers and toes....

Oh wait thats Wade