Kits with a Funny Taste

[pbacbell]

Hello Everyone! I am new to wine making and have loved reading this forum. I have made 3 different reds - all Wine Expert. My Cabernet has been bottled for 7 months and has a very odd taste (bitter with a bit of a bite). It actually starts with a chemical smell and just doesn’t taste right. All 3 of the reds have the same smell. I am so jealous of those who have said your wine tastes good right out of the carboy. I’m hoping this is just a time issue. I know 7 months is still early, but was hoping for at least something drinkable. Any advice or anyone else have a similar experience?

I have made 2 whites and they have been great 3 months bottled.

 

[jgmann67]

Bite usually means co2 in the bottle. Test to see if that’s the case. It won’t go away. You can decant and degas one bottle at a time. Or, pour them all back into the carboy, degas and rebottle.

The rest, and assuming you followed the directions and had good sanitation during winemaking, is a function of time.

 

[pbacbell]

Bite usually means co2 in the bottle. Test to see if that’s the case. It won’t go away. You can decant and degas one bottle at a time. Or, pour them all back into the carboy, degas and rebottle.

The rest, and assuming you followed the directions and had good sanitation during winemaking, is a function of time.

 

[pbacbell]

I have been using Easy Clean for sanitation. Would that leave the chemical smell?

I’m tempted to do the dump, degas, rebottle. At this point not sure it would hurt. Would I need to add anything to the carboy? Let it sit for a few days before rebottling?

Thank you so much for taking time to help me.

 

[salcoco]

before you do the whole carboy take a sample shake it vigorously you should see the gas exit by the bubble then do a taste.

If better dump in the carboy and stir the wine vigorously for two minute rest for ten then do two again. one of the drill mounted stirrer works well for this. let wine rest a week then bottle. add k-meta as soon as degassing is done.

if the sample test doesn't change anything bitterness can be attributed to tannin. take a sample and add plain gelatin. wait about a week rack and see if its better. if so treat the whole carboy.

 

[mainshipfred]

My take on this and it's only my opinion so take it for what it's worth. A lot of people talk about "Kit Taste" and I experience it myself. I believe the taste comes from kits being high in malic as opposed to lactic acid. Of course they always get better with time. I also assume your whites are better due to the fact very few whites go through MLF. I'll more then likely not do kits again not to mention a quality kit costs almost 3 time that of a fresh juice bucket. Again, my opinion.

 

[ceeaton]

And at least the taste is funny and can make you laugh. I'd hate to have a sad taste

Can you tell I had a few drinks while making dinner, can you?

 

[jgmann67]

before you do the whole carboy take a sample shake it vigorously you should see the gas exit by the bubble then do a taste.

If better dump in the carboy and stir the wine vigorously for two minute rest for ten then do two again. one of the drill mounted stirrer works well for this. let wine rest a week then bottle. add k-meta as soon as degassing is done.

if the sample test doesn't change anything bitterness can be attributed to tannin. take a sample and add plain gelatin. wait about a week rack and see if its better. if so treat the whole carboy.

Totally agree. Search “poof test” on this site and see what you get.