Other Lazy Persons kit.

[corinth]

I have never done what I would consider is a good wine kit.
I am looking for a kit that has pretty good instructions and all if not most of the ingredients and all I have to do is follow the instructions. That is why I am calling it "MY lazy man's kit. I have seen people on you tube or read about kits that take a lot of the guesswork out of it but ---what do I know, I have never bought a fairly good kit and would like to buy one and try it, see what one is like; therefore, I am looking for some recommendations for a mid-range kit between $60- $80 dollars give or take ten bucks here or there. And yes, I know there are a lot of kits out there but I am overwhelmed by all the possibilities and in the end, I will probably end of buying more than one brand (but not at one time) Sooo...

I would like something like a (variations would also be quite acceptable) Cabernet Sauvignon mainly because a lot of my friends drink this and I am basically just trying to be a nice guy( it's cool with me).

your suggestions would be greatly appreciated since I am still quite a newbie at winemaking.

I think I may know enough(?) to tweak it but everything I have done so far has been pretty much by putting together much of the process, procedures, ingredients, additives, etc.

Again, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Corinth

 

[sour_grapes]

Before making any product suggestions, I should point out that you can get the instructions to most kits online. Therefore, you can judge in advance whether the instructions are explicit enough for your liking.

One big question is: Do you want a grape pack or not?

 

[DoctorCAD]

$60 - $80 wont get you a "good" kit, but look into the Williams Brewing wine kits. The instructions are very easy, almost to the point of not enough info, but they make a very drinkable wine. They are in your price range.

 

[corinth]

lazyt mans wine kit

Sour_grapes.
Instructions on line, really?
Point me to some directions!

I am a babe in woods(with wrinkle's) outside of castle black (game of thrones).
I would love to read what their directions say and what is included in their wine kit: additives, ingredients, oak, yeast is included in their product .

As for a fruity pack. I am a bity foggy on what that means . Is this added for body or to back sweeten a wine that may be a bit thin. Help me out here.

DoctorCad:I have used Williams on two occasion and their directions are pretty good but other than that they supply the yeast, some oak and that is it. The rest I have to tweak and finish looking up all the other things needed to make a nice wine.

a wine kit that includes Lazy Mans all the little packages?
Corinth

 

[cpfan]

Corinth:

The major kit manufacturers (not Williams) include all the needed ingredients. I don't know which kits are available to you in that price range, but here are the instructions for the Winexpert Vntners Reserve kits which should be close.

http://www.winexpert.com/images/Vintners%20Reserve%20%20World%20Vineyard%20instructions%20-%20Feb%202013(1).pdf

These are typical of other Winexpert kits, although there are some differences.

Grape packs are included in some of the better (ie more expensive) kits to be added to the primary resulting in added body and tannins and whatever else.

Fruit packs are added post fermentation to add a fruit flavour in what is called a Mist wine.

Steve

 

[sour_grapes]

I sent you a PM with much more information. However, for the sake of the thread, here are the instructions for the Cellar Craft kits:
http://www.vinecowine.com/instructions

And here are the instructions for all the WinExpert kits: http://www.winexpert.com/kit-instructions

 

[berrycrush]

This is my first kit and the only kit so far. I thought it is very good in terms of instruction clarity and ingredient completeness:

 

[corinth]

Berrycrush, Wine expert keeps showing up over and over again as a good choice. Williams Brewery sounds pretty economically reasonable also.
thanks
Corinth

 

[Putterrr]

you can always check out what Joeswine is doing to tweak a $45 amazon kit

http://www.winemakingtalk.com/forum/f3/when-good-wines-gone-bad-14483/index49.html

 

[corinth]

lazy-persons-kit-

Ok, it has been some time but after some practice under my belt, I have come to the conclusion that if I really want to be lazy and I do not mind a sweet wine, the Cornucopia white coconut frascati http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RZ1QPY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
from Amazon is about as easy for me as it is going to get. i asked Joe about any tweaks and the only thing he said was bump up the alcohol level and you are good to go.i did not have to wait long for any aging or anything. It was also very inexpensive at about $43.00 which included shipping.Now I see it there for $143.00????

Second easiest was the peach chardonnay from amazon for about $43.00 including shipping. It was rated number five on wine maker magazine's top 100 kits. Maybe in a little while, the price of that will jump up too?

Anyway, I am in the process of doing other kits and making wine from fruit, from juice pails and from my own grapes....but in terms of my concept of a lazy(my definition--easy) kit, my wife and all her friends loved it which allows me time to tackle the intricacies of more expensive kits and wine making from pure grapes.

Just an update for anyone who is interested or someone who does a Google search.

regards,
corinth

 

[richmke]

If this is for your friends, then make whatever cheap wine they will drink. If this is for yourself, then make a premium kit.

Simplified lazy instructions for a Red Wine Kit without Skins:
1a) Reconstitute to 6 gallons.
1b) Take an SG reading
1c) Get temp into 72-75 degree range (If kit has oak dust, add now)
1d) Pitch yeast.
1e) Put cover on pail, but do not lock down the lid

2) after 7 days, rack to carboy, airlock

3a) Wait 7 days. Take SG reading. If higher than 0.998, repeat step
3b) rack
3c) Add K-meta from the kit
3d) If kit has oak chips or cubes, add now
3e) top off carboy


4a) Wait 3 months.
4b) Rack
4c) add 1/4 tsp K-meta (you have to buy this)
4d) top off carboy

Repeat step 4 for 1 year

5a) If wine not clear, return to step 4a
5b) bottle
5c) Enjoy a sample of whatever is left over and does not fill a bottle.

6) Every 6 months, sample a bottle. Should be very good at 24 months, and get better over time.

If your kit has skins, then add:
1e) Stir twice a day to sink the skins.

Note: You are skipping the Bentonite (usually step 1) and clarifying agent (usually step 3).

 

[LeChat]

I am going to recommend this kit:

GCI Australian Cabernet Sauvignon

I have made it twice so far and was pleasantly surprised by the results. It's no premium kit, but it sure is right up there in terms of quality.

Instructions are available at the link I have provided.

@Richmke

Adding 1/2 TSP Kmeta every 3 months is a bit much IMO. I usually go with 1/4 TSP at first racking and 1/8 thereafter. I rack every 3 months.

 

[richmke]

Yes, typo on the kmeta