RJ Spagnols RJ Spagnols Bella Bianco

[quntumleap]

I have taken a hiatus from winemaking as I moved from Loveland, OH to Columbus, OH in May 2010. I had purchased a RJ Spagnols bella bianco kit in December 2009 from George. After moving and retiring and setting up my golf club fitting business I have just now started opening boxes containing my winemaking equipment and supplies. What I forgot was that the Bella Bianco was never made and was packed away in my basement since May 2010. Is this kit work making or should I pour it down the sink and order and new one? I have missed having my own wines and being active on the forums. Now that the business is up and running I hope to get back and see what I have been missing for the past 2 years.
John

 

[PeterZ]

If the juice looks and smells OK (not oxidized) you should be OK. You will probably need some fresh yeast.

 

[quntumleap]

Thanks for the response. What are the signs of oxidation. It has been in the box, never opened. Would there be color or odor changes?
Thanks
JOHN

 

[PeterZ]

Mostly color change. The straw color of the juice becomes brown.

 

[quntumleap]

Well it looks like it may not be usable. I never opened it but the color is like a dark honey. I don't remember what it looked like when I got it but this is the darkest I've seen any white kit that I have had. I don't think I want to waste the time to find out.
Thanks
JOHN

 

[v1rotate]

I would taste the juice before throwing it out. If it tastes ok, make it. I got some chardonnay concentrate from a friend who owns a boutique winery near Lodi which was very brown in color. It turned out fine.

 

[quntumleap]

Started the kit today. Juice tasted fine. Color was almost the color of light honey. Used new yeast as the one I had was expired. SG was 1.10 Only time will tell.
JOHN

 

[quntumleap]

An update for those who may be in a similar situation. I racked the wine to a carboy a few days ago. Fermentation was complete and the SG was right on target at 1.02 after 14 days. Degassed and added K meta, sorbate and clearing agents. It is clearing well and I tasted it today. Bouquet is faint but nice. Color looks dark in the carboy but it is only slightly darker than I would have expected in the glass. It tastes pretty good for a just racked wine and I expect it to turn out great. Thanks to those that said go ahead and make it.
John

 

[ibglowin]

Sounds like it will turn out OK then. Good job!