Mosti Mondiale Question about Renaissance Shiraz Kit...

[tcb54]

I started the Mosti Renaissance Shiraz kit last Sunday (12/30/2007). When I started, the SG was 1.050. The directions say to check it on Day 6 and transfer to the carboy (secondary) if the SG is 1.020 or below.


On Thursday, 01/03/08, I checked the SG and it was 1.035, so I knew I had a few more days to go. I could not do anything with the wine until today (Sunday, 01/06/08). When I checked it today, the SG was 1.000, so I went ahead and racked it to the secondary. It is slowly bubbling in the airlock.


The wine has been (and is now) at a steady temperature of 70 degrees...


Did the extra day or so mess up anything or is everything going to be fine??? I need some reassurance or suggestions.


Thanks...

 

[Wade E]

As far as the extra day it is fine. Are you sure the beginning SG was 1.050? Did you stir it with a drill mounted mix stir? That is extremely low for a Shiraz.

 

[tcb54]

Wade,


I appreciate the fast reply. I stirred the heck out of it with a drill mounted stirrer for over 5 minutes, so I know it was well mixed.


Thanks again...

 

[Wade E]

In the instructions is there a low and high SG for this kit to be starting at? That SG is way to low and is not good unless this is a mist kit. This low SG will give you only 7% abv and that will not cellar well at all nor will it be true to its characteristics. It should have been more like 1.105. What are your temps because with that low starting SG I believe this kit would be done fermenting already. Take a look at your hydrometer and see if you really remember approx. where the level was.

Edited by: wade

 

[tcb54]

There is not a high/low starting level listed for this kit. It is definitely not a mist... When I added the yeast, the temperature of the must was 74 degrees.


I believe the SG was correct because I was fighting the foam and trying to be sure and get an accurate reading.


It is this kit:



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<DIV align=center>RE0333 </TD>
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Shiraz


A wine for today. Be on the lookout for its new taste sensations. With purple-ruby flashes and violet rim, the complexity of its bouquet brings together notes of eucalyptus and black currants.</TD></TR></T></TABLE>

 

[Wade E]

I sure hope youre wrong about your starting SG.

 

[tcb54]

Wade,


What can I do? Should I contact George or Mosti or someone???

 

[geocorn]

First thing to do is to put your hydrometer in plain water. This should give you a reading of 1.000. If not, your hydrometer is off.


I do believe you have a bad reading. The bags are filled based on weight. If there is not enough sugar the bag will be overfilled and break.


I will send you a vinometer with your next order so you can check the alcohol on this kit. It should finish around 12%.


Regarding the racking, Mosti recommends racking at 1.020, if you can. This is faster than the other companies and the reason is that they want you to stir up the must in a way that gets oxygen and nutrients to the remaining yeast. This helps to ensure that the last generations of yeast are viable to finish the fermentation. In future batches of Mosti products, try to rack a little earlier; however, if the wine finishes around the .992-.994 level, you will be fine.

 

[Wade E]

Judging by the time schedule and the temp that you have given, some how you got a false reading as like I said in an earlier post this would be bone dry right now starting with such a low SG. Im pretty sure youre fine and the refractometer will only work from what Ive heard when its bone dry. Any residual sugars will throw the reading off.

 

[tcb54]

Wade and George,


Thank you both for all your help, and George, thank you for sending out the vinometer. Rest assured, I'll be ordering again soon.


Thanks again...

 

[uavwmn]

Do any of you all use the vinometer? I was thinking of purchasing one from George.

 

[Wade E]

Never used 1 myself.

 

[grapeman]

I think every new winemaker gets one of those little contraptions - but then.......... reality sinks in that they just aren't very accurate. They work sometimes, but are not always accurate. Check a few commercial ones to see how close you come. You can come just as close by recording SG chages.