RJ Spagnols SG for Orange Chocolate Port Style?

[Boatboy24]

Just pitched the yeast on this one a while ago. SG was 1.096. I have no idea if that is near where it should be or not.

Also wondering what is gained on this one by using two packs of yeast on a little 3 gallon batch.

 

[cpfan]

Just pitched the yeast on this one a while ago. SG was 1.096. I have no idea if that is near where it should be or not.

Also wondering what is gained on this one by using two packs of yeast on a little 3 gallon batch.

Due to the high initial sg, the yeast may be slow to get started. Two packs helps to overcome that. BTW, a number of people have reported that one pack worked just fine.

Steve

 

[Geronimo]

An SG of 1.096 sounds normal. If you added all the sugar you'd probably have 1.130 or so. I'm guessing you plan to step feed the sugar (3 equal feedings is the favored method).

 

[Boatboy24]

Theres no mention of step feeding on this one. It's pretty much: "add juice to fermenter. Ferment to 1.000 or lower. Rack to secondary. Sulphite. Sorbate. F-pack. Clearing agents". starting to wonder if I've missed something now. I was expecting a higher SG and subsequently higher alcohol.

 

[surlees]

I just completed fermenting this kit about a week ago. While there's no mention of step-feeding to increase alcohol, that's what I did anyway. I believe I got it up to somewhere around 17% ABV. When fermentation was over I added the f-pack and fined with the chitosan-kiesosol packets, let it clear for about 2 days, and then fortified with brandy.

Port wine is supposed to be about 20-22% ABV so that's what I tried to reach. I'll let it age for about a year and then I'll know if it's as good as I think it will be.

Granted, the kit instructions don't say to do any of these additions and I'm sure it will turn okay without them.

 

[Geronimo]

Theres no mention of step feeding on this one. It's pretty much: "add juice to fermenter. Ferment to 1.000 or lower. Rack to secondary. Sulphite. Sorbate. F-pack. Clearing agents". starting to wonder if I've missed something now. I was expecting a higher SG and subsequently higher alcohol.

Frankly I'd recommend adding brandy to secondary if you want 20% ABV. The final taste will be a bit drier that way.

 

[Dugger]

The chocolate ports I have made, all Spagnols kits and including the OC port, have had a starting SG of anywhere from 1.112 to 1.120, so yours could be a tad low unless it's a different kit.

 

[Boatboy24]

Thanks Geronimo. I definitely don't want something too sweet. What type/amount of brandy would you recommend?

 

[Boatboy24]

The chocolate ports I have made, all Spagnols kits and including the OC port, have had a starting SG of anywhere from 1.112 to 1.120, so yours could be a tad low unless it's a different kit.

Mine is the rjs orange chocolate port.

 

[Geronimo]

Thanks Geronimo. I definitely don't want something too sweet. What type/amount of brandy would you recommend?

Totally subjective. You could simply add a couple liters of good brandy, or add one liter... or pick an ABV and do the computations.

http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/blending.asp

For a base of 16% ABV and a Brandy of 80 proof, to get to 20% ABV you need to add 2.6 liters of Brandy. That's a bunch!

Make sure it's a good unflavored brandy, maybe a VS or VSOP. If you don't love it, don't use it.

 

[Sammyk]

My WE Orange Chocolate port started at 1.120. I have no idea why it is so low and I am concerned. The chocolate raspberry port from WE was right on from the start.

 

[Runningwolf]

I added brandy to my RJS Apple port and Coffee port last year. They turned out ok and I used about 2/3 of a bottle in each. I would not add that much again as the flavor became dominate. I think about 1/2 would have been better. I was really going for an added flavor, not necessarily upping the abv.
I'm not sure what brandy I would add to the Orange choc port. I can tell you this was very good to drink within 6-8 months. The flavor does increase over time, so don't drink it all up too fast.

 

[ibglowin]

I have used E&J VSOP as well as the E&J XO (little harder to find). Both worked out very well and didn't break the bank.