White Wines

[Trubador]

Do white wines (Wine expert Selection Original for example) improve
with age as much as reds? It seems that at least a year is needed
for reds while whites seem to indicate less. I just tasted a
bottle of chardonnay/semillon that had bulk aged 2 months and aged in
bottle 1 month. It was very good and I'm wondering whether I
should just drink it or whether it will be better in 2 to 3 more months?

 

[Waldo]

It will continue to improve Trubador. But you are correct. The reds do take more aging to come into their own. It is my understanding that whites rach their peak at around 12-18 months.

 

[Wade E]

Waldo is absolutely correct and to add to that, the bigger(more juice per kit) the more it will need to age. In ex. an All juice bit will need longer to reach its full potential than a 7.5 liter much more concentrated kit would need. Right now you are at the minimal aging for your particular kit and it will cintinue to improve for at least another 6-8 months. Did you add extra k-meta before bottling?

 

[Trubador]

Waldo is absolutely correct and to add to that, the
bigger(more juice per kit) the more it will need to age. In ex. an All
juice bit will need longer to reach its full potential than a 7.5 liter
much more concentrated kit would need. Right now you are at the minimal
aging for your particular kit and it will cintinue to improve for at
least another 6-8 months. Did you add extra k-meta before bottling?

I sure did

I learned that lesson after the first kit and all my kits from this
point on always have the extra k-meta...its so easy, i am not sure why
winexpert doesn't just include it. Not like it costs much more or
is any more complicated then any of the other wine making steps....



I also think I can be patient and wait a few more months at a
minimum. I just didn't want to bother waiting if it wasn't
projected to improve. As i said, it tasted very good, but I am
hoping for better

 

[Wade E]

Maybe open a bottle every month or 2 and note its progression so youll know next time how much it can improve.

 

[Trubador]

Maybe open a bottle every month or 2 and note its progression so youll know next time how much it can improve.

great idea! Plus then it satisfies my urge to drink some.
Something about 30 some odd bottles of wine in the basement calling up
to me that makes it difficult

 

[scubaman2151]

Did you add extra k-meta before bottling?

Why would you do this and what wines does this apply too?

 

[Wade E]

At bottling time we add an extra 1/4 tsp. of k-meta to allow long storage of wines , say for 2-3 years so that the wine does not oxidize.

 

[Steve]

K-Meta is Potassium Metabisulfite, sulfites are used to prevent the wine form oxidizing. Your kit includes a packet to be used during stabilizing. You will typically add additional K-Meta before bottling if you intend on aging the wine for an extended period of time.


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