RJ Spagnols RJS Ice Wine kit

[antler]

I just bought this kit to make a few weeks ago. My question is to you experienced winemakers, would you follow the directions exactly? I work away from home. I spend 12 days at home and then work for 22 days. I've been making beer for over a year. I put it in primary soon as I get back home, 7-10 days I rack to secondary and leave it for the full 3 weeks I'm gone.
Can I do this with this wine kit? I was told if I plan to bulk age I don't need to use clearing agents, just leave it in secondary to clear.

 

[Deezil]

This kit is amazing

I pretty much followed the directions, but i went by my own time scale. The EC-1118 they send will only work so hard and wont be able to chew through all the sugar.. Then you end up sulfite/sorbate'ing it and add the f-pack.

The 1118 is a big enough yeast that you should be able to do primary while you're home, rack to secondary and leave.. And be ready to rack off lees when you get home again.

What you're thinking, works in my mind

 

[ibglowin]

+1

As long as the temps in secondary are kept up reasonably it should finish out OK. Since its Ice Wine it really doesn't matter if it gets stuck and doesn't quite finish out right? It will be back sweetened like crazy anyway.

 

[antler]

Thanks guys! I'll be putting this in the primary in a week or so. Keeping the heat in the higher range shouldn't be a problem. I plan to bulk age for 6 months, then bottle it. I'll have about 30 bottles. I'll let the case of 24 bottle age for another 6 months, probably try the extra couple bottles over that time. Can't wait to try this!

 

[Deezil]

Honestly the kit really comes into its own when you hit the 1-year age mark. Before that, its good.. But after that its great. I'm giving mine another year, most of which will be in bottles

 

[antler]

Honestly the kit really comes into its own when you hit the 1-year age mark. Before that, its good.. But after that its great. I'm giving mine another year, most of which will be in bottles

That's what I heard. It's decent after a few months, but after the one year mark it's awesome!

 

[Deezil]

Oh its "Decent" right out of the box

I had to stop drinking the juice before i added the yeast lol, be careful.. Its hard to stop.

 

[antler]

Oh its "Decent" right out of the box

I had to stop drinking the juice before i added the yeast lol, be careful.. Its hard to stop.

Haha! When I make beer I always taste the wort before pitching the yeast. I'll have to try not to with the wine, lol.

 

[Deezil]

I probably drank a good pint of the juice, in the half-dozen times i took a "sip"