WineXpert Topping up - different varietals

[kat50496]

I will be transferring a batch of Luna Rossa from secondary in the next week or so. Wondering about what to use to top up. I have WE International Sangiovese and Amarone in the bottle and aged one year. Either of these a good choice? Opinion on which would be better (I have more of the Amarone on hand).

Maybe the better question is, how much of a difference does 750ml (approx. 3% in 23L) of additional varietal really make? At what point does the percentage added start to change the characteristics / flavor in a blend?

Many of you have a lot of experience in blending and this might be a good way to address topping considerations in the future. Depending on how much is lost to racking, one could possibly create a nice blend just by topping with a completely different varietal (cab/merlot or cab/syrah come to mind). Is this small amount enough? Sorry for being long winded, just came to me as I was typing my original question.

 

[robie]

One bottle out of 25 to 30 in a 5 to 6 gallon batch will not make a lot of difference, as long as it is the same color, of course. Now 750 ml of water is another story. Water will water down your wine, so I would never use it.

A like wine is always the best, but either will work fine. I would choose the Sangiovese, myself.

Merlot always makes a good top off for reds, because it has somewhat of a middle-of-the-road taste profile. One bottle of Merlot in a batch of 30 will make no noticeable different at all.

 

[djrockinsteve]

I have done several blends over the past couple of years. Yes Merlot and Sangiovese will work well. Cab Sauv. of Franc will be good too.

If in doubt take a glass and carefully measure out a few ounces and make a test blend. I know it has not aged but you will get a rough idea.

Basically the same or closest wine is used to top off. Please don't add water. You will be disappointed trust me.

If you can use multiple but smaller carboys to rack your wine into. I use a number of bottles, magnums and 750 and 375ml bottles with airlocks. Waste no wine.

 

[ibglowin]

I have added up to 3 full bottles on some kits and could not tell that they had altered the taste profile of the wine in any appreciable way. Some kits turned out great tasting while others have been not so great even after 2 years in the bottle. Bottom line, don't spend a whole lot of extra $$$ on a top off wine, it tends to just get lost in the mix.

 

[joeswine]

topping off

FILLER UP


I THINK THE THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS THAT MOST WINES CAN ALL BE BLENDED WITHOUT INTERRUPTION OF THE ORIGINAL BASE WINE DEPENDING ON THE VOLUME BEING ADDED