RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin' Seville Orange Sangria

[kat50496]

I'm going to rack into secondary this weekend. After reading several posts regarding this and other OB kits, I decided to make this one pretty much according to instructions as it is the first of these for me and I would like to have a benchmark to compare future kits to.

That being said, I plan on racking from the primary into a 6 gal. BB, and may still have to top up after adding back the reserved wine after f-pack is added. Is there something I can add to the wine at that point to enhance flavor, %abv etc.? I have read in other posts that addition of rum or vodka may be OK for this.

If I don't need to top up, can I still add something to the wine just before bottling, and if so, what might be some good options for this. Sorry for all of the questions, but we are looking forward to enjoying this in the summer and trying more in the future. Thanks all

 

[robie]

I have made two batches of this particular kit. Both times I added extra sugar before fermenting, so the ABV was a little higher. I never tried the wine without the extra ABV, so I can't comment on how different it would be. However, I really wonder if it has made that much difference.

I do wish it was not quite so sweet, but leaving out some of the F pack might also affect the flavor.

I would not add anything like rum to it. It is pretty good by itself. If you want more ABV and a little more smoothness, try experimenting with a glass of this wine and some plain brandy. Add a little brandy and taste test.

This wine goes much better if served over a full glass of ice. It really needs to be cold. Garnish it with things like strawberries, blue berries, and pineapple wedges. I promise it will be a crowd pleaser just as it is.

 

[mhenry41h]

In reading some posts regarding limiting the sweetness of these kits, Ive taken advice (which I hope is good advice) and I added just over half of the F-Pack. I mixed the kit on Wednesday and airlock action began Thursday evening. So, I figured it would be best to wait a few days to have a vigorous fermentation before putting that portion of the F-Pack in. Again, Im hoping the advice was good but they say that the fruit flavor of the F-Pack will still be present but the ABV is increased while the sweetness is decreased. Here's to hoping its good! (Orchard Breezin' Strawberry Riesling)

 

[robie]

Yep, after fermentation you will be adding half the sugar, so the wine won't be as sweet. I do wonder if the fruit flavor will also be much less. I don't know how well the fruit the flavor of the half added in fermentation will survive fermentation.

I have heard that without having to tweak, the Mosti Mondiale summer wines come out a little higher ABV and not as sweet. I would prefer my summer wines to not be as sweet, but still have lots of fruit flavor.

Let us know how yours turns out.

 

[mhenry41h]

Yep, after fermentation you will be adding half the sugar, so the wine won't be as sweet. I do wonder if the fruit flavor will also be much less. I don't know how well the fruit the flavor of the half added in fermentation will survive fermentation.

I have heard that without having to tweak, the Mosti Mondiale summer wines come out a little higher ABV and not as sweet. I would prefer my summer wines to not be as sweet, but still have lots of fruit flavor.

Let us know how yours turns out.

It is definitely a consideration for me. I generally wouldnt, if making a beer, add a flavor adjuct only during primary fermentation as it will get a healthy CO2 scrub and blow off. I doubt all of the fruit flavor will get scrubbed so hopefully the last 1/2 of the f-pack (post fermentation) will help bolster what is left over from primary. I'll definitely let you know how it works out. I guess I couldnt help myself in screwing around with my first kit. If it wasnt a mist wine, I wouldnt have...but Im allergic to sweet wine!

 

[joeswine]

orange seville

I have this kit sitting in the wings ,for those of you who have finished this party kit ,QUESTION?how was the body ?my wife likes these kits so I have made quite a few,the blueberry cab ,had no body at all,need to work oon that one again,but on the latter how did the taste finish?what was the prevailing flavor?Enquiringly mines want to know

 

[robie]

I have this kit sitting in the wings ,for those of you who have finished this party kit ,QUESTION?how was the body ?my wife likes these kits so I have made quite a few,the blueberry cab ,had no body at all,need to work oon that one again,but on the latter how did the taste finish?what was the prevailing flavor?Enquiringly mines want to know

The taste is very pleasant. I have made several of this particular one and several others. I have found that most of these summer wines, being very thin and not made from the very best quality wine, go much better poured over a full glass of ice. Add a wedge of pineapple and/or some berries, and they make a very nice summer beverage.

They are more like a fruity, sweet wine cooler. They have their place and that place is not going to replace a very nice glass of good wine, which one would never pour over ice.

 

[roblloyd]

Thanks for the reminder. I have to get mine going so it's ready for summer. They don't need much aging right?
I was going to use 1/2 the f-pac upfront and add extra sugar if the SG isn't up enough.
Also only do it as a 5 gal batch.
Any other tips for this one?

 

[Dugger]

I've made a quite a few of these OB kits as well they can be a bit sweet. I also have a white zin made from an inexpensive kit ( free, actually - it had started fermenting in the box at the store so they gave it to me, rather than down their sink) that is quite dry and by blending it with some of the mist wine I end up with a very pleasant drink. The sweetness is reduced but the fruit still seems to come through nicely.
Blending is therefore another option.

 

[robie]

I mentioned it on some other thread already, but George of The Wine Maker's Toy Store told me the Mosti Mondiale Summer wine kits are higher in alcohol and not so sweet. Since I always up the ABV in RJS kits and don't like the sweetness so much, I think I might try a couple of these MM kits next time.

I generally make them in March, so they will be ready by June.

 

[joeswine]

orange seville

As a rule of thumb, I usually boosts the ABV 1.010 plenty of room for bite and plenty room for fruit, I'm wondering if I should hit this with a little bit of orange zest the same time, or I could do it at the end once I see how the final tasters, thanks for your post.

 

[robie]

As a rule of thumb, I usually boosts the ABV 1.010 plenty of room for bite and plenty room for fruit, I'm wondering if I should hit this with a little bit of orange zest the same time, or I could do it at the end once I see how the final tasters, thanks for your post.

It can't hurt.

 

[flapbreaker]

Would this wine be ok if it was aged a year? I don't think I could drink all thirty bottles in one summer.