Other Tweeking Cheap Kits

[winemaker81]

I am trying a bariation of this. Rehydrated and fermented golden raisins - fermentation with skin contact. After fermentation finished, added to wine made from green grocery store wine grapes....hoping to add some complexity and a tad bit of sweetness. Will see how it goes.

What you did is perfectly fine, but I don't expect it to make any significant difference. Adding raisins will add some complexity, either way.

You're not going to get a complex wine from eating grapes, as they are grown for quantity, not quality. But keep this in mind: If YOU are happy with the result, nothing else matters.

If the two batches ferment dry, the wine will be dry, e.g., lacking sweetness. It may be fruity tasting, but it won't have sweetness.

If you want some residual sugar, ferment dry, then dose the wine with potassium sorbate + potassium metabisulfite (K-meta), which acts as birth control for yeast. Then sweeten to taste.

 

[mpdeem]

What you did is perfectly fine, but I don't expect it to make any significant difference. Adding raisins will add some complexity, either way.

You're not going to get a complex wine from eating grapes, as they are grown for quantity, not quality. But keep this in mind: If YOU are happy with the result, nothing else matters.

If the two batches ferment dry, the wine will be dry, e.g., lacking sweetness. It may be fruity tasting, but it won't have sweetness.

If you want some residual sugar, ferment dry, then dose the wine with potassium sorbate + potassium metabisulfite (K-meta), which acts as birth control for yeast. Then sweeten to taste.

Thank you for your feedback especially with regard to lack of complexity from eating grapes. While I am happy to get anything quaffable, I would like to move on to using wine grapes in some shape or form for future winemaking efforts. The lack of complexity combined with slightly acidic grapefruit profile does not make for the most enjoyable dry wine.

I really enjoy dry wines and having adult onset type 1 diabetes, the drier the better. Backsweetening is an option but would probably use - gasp -artificial sweetner (aspartate) rather than sugar because of extreme sensitivity to carbs -refined or complex

My budget currently prevents me from doing so immediately. Just had some rather unexpected and expensive dental work done so need to wait a month or two before I could afford to get frozen grapes and/or must.

I am considering ordering a pail of frozwn grapes from Brehm in future. Also looking at Wineforgrapes although they seem to source mostly from the East Bay area around Livermore. Having lived in the Bay Area and have family there, I am familiar with the differences in getting grapes from Sonoma/Napa versus Lovermore. Livermore was not exactly known for wine grapes when I was living in CA. Not saying it is bad..but rather that it is a relative unknown. However the prices are nice espeically when having to ship to Indiana Any suggestions regarding grape/grape must sources are welcome.

Thanks for the suggestion regarding adding Potassium Sorbate. Cureently only have K-meta so will pick some up.

 

[winemaker81]

I really enjoy dry wines and having adult onset type 1 diabetes, the drier the better. Backsweetening is an option but would probably use - gasp -artificial sweetner (aspartate) rather than sugar because of extreme sensitivity to carbs -refined or complex

Sorbate is only necessary if adding a fermentable sugar. If you're using an artificial sweetener, it's not necessary.

Taste test a glass of wine with the sweetener before doing the batch, to ensure you like the result.

My version of backsweetening is a lot less than most folks. I backsweetened my 2023 Vidal with 1/4 cup sugar per 4 liters, which addresses high acidity. I realize that may be too much for your situation.

I am considering ordering a pail of frozwn grapes from Brehm in future.

Frozen must buckets are relatively expensive. I buy grapes from shipped from CA, which are less expensive, but more than locally grown grapes. Last fall all my grapes came from a Virginia vineyard, all French-American hybrids. You might look for locally grown grapes, which will be different from CA grapes.

 

[wineview]

In November I looked for the cheapest white wine kit I could find to see if I could make a decent wine. Today I racked a Pinot Grigio after three months that I bought from Amazon for $75. There wasn’t much to the kit typical EC 1118 chitosan and kieselsol and the juice pack. Instead of making six gallons I made five and to the primary added golden raisins, green grape stems, pectic enzyme, grapefruit zest and a packet of D-47. Even after only three months, this wine is very good. My wife wanted me to bottle it today. I’ll wait another three or four months for that. It’s surprising what you can achieve with a bit of tweaking.

 

[Rocky]

In November I looked for the cheapest white wine kit I could find to see if I could make a decent wine. Today I racked a Pinot Grigio after three months that I bought from Amazon for $75. There wasn’t much to the kit typical EC 1118 chitosan and kieselsol and the juice pack. Instead of making six gallons I made five and to the primary added golden raisins, green grape stems, pectic enzyme, grapefruit zest and a packet of D-47. Even after only three months, this wine is very good. My wife wanted me to bottle it today. I’ll wait another three or four months for that. It’s surprising what you can achieve with a bit of tweaking.

What was the purpose of the "green grape stems?" Were you looking for tannin?

 

[joeswine]

It’s called thinking outside the box had fun Joey wanna make it a fun craft

 

[wineview]

What was the purpose of the "green grape stems?" Were you looking for tannin?

Yes. Just a small amount for two days. It worked out as I had hoped.

 

[Rocky]

Yes. Just a small amount for two days. It worked out as I had hoped.

That's great. There are more than one way to skin a cat.

 

[joeswine]

Yes. Just a small amount for two days. It worked out as I had hoped.

Did you sauté the grapes in the wine base before you add that would speed along the process?

 

[wineview]

I intended to but forgot. Next time.