Stag's Leap Merlot - low OG

[JBP]

Started the WE SLM today - added water to 6 gal mark (BMB) per instructions, then added grape skins. OG about an hour after grape skins added was only 1.080, which seems quite low. Haven't pitched yeast yet. Bummed that I should have checked OG before adding all the water as I hate to chapitalize a higher end kit like this. Seems like that would be the logical next step at this point?

 

[Johnd]

Started the WE SLM today - added water to 6 gal mark (BMB) per instructions, then added grape skins. OG about an hour after grape skins added was only 1.080, which seems quite low. Haven't pitched yeast yet. Bummed that I should have checked OG before adding all the water as I hate to chapitalize a higher end kit like this. Seems like that would be the logical next step at this point?

The skins should give you another .013 - .015 of SG once they’ve had a chance to release their sugar into the mix. I’ve done this kit a number of times,it’s always been good. If, for some reason, your SG doesn’t come up by tomorrow, a bit of sugar will get you home.

 

[sour_grapes]

Agree with @Johnd . Skins generally add about 0.015 for me, but it takes a day or so.

 

[JBP]

Thanks so much for the advice - up to 1.090 today. Might bump just a tad before pitching yeast tomorrow.

 

[cmason1957]

Thanks so much for the advice - up to 1.090 today. Might bump just a tad before pitching yeast tomorrow.

Last two times I have made this kit, I added just a small amount of sugar, took it up to 1.100. It handles the extra alcohol quite well.