I've made several Wine Lovers (ABC Cork) kits. They're fine for the money, but I definitely wouldn't make one without some tweaks (see @joeswine excellent thread).It was wine lovers on line.
I've made several Wine Lovers (ABC Cork) kits. They're fine for the money, but I definitely wouldn't make one without some tweaks (see @joeswine excellent thread).It was wine lovers on line.
Best way I know of to add body is add grape skins during fermentation.Are the Wine Lovers kits produced by ABC Cork? Fontana kits are the same as the ABC Cork. I've been buying the Fontana off Amazon and now some directly from ABC Cork.
With any of these cheap kits (Wine Lovers, Fontana or ABC Cork) they deficiently need tweaking and amending. With the tweaks they can be nice table wines.
Adding body can be a challenge. I bought this Liqui-Gum | MoreWine liquigum to add mouthfeel to thin wines. It does help.
Yes, same kits AFAIK.Are the Wine Lovers kits produced by ABC Cork? Fontana kits are the same as the ABC Cork. I've been buying the Fontana off Amazon and now some directly from ABC Cork.
I add shredded oak or oak chips during fermentation, and glycerin at bottling. Since I make liqueurs, I buy glycerin by the gallon, which is less than 1/4 the price of the little bottle from the LHBS.Adding body can be a challenge. I bought this Liqui-Gum | MoreWine liquigum to add mouthfeel to thin wines. It does help.
Also add fermentation enzymes if using skin packs. I added ScottZyme ColorPro to my FWK's in November, and the color is amazing and the body is surprisingly good for a young wine.Best way I know of to add body is add grape skins during fermentation.
Label Peelers has FW Tavola kits on sale for 35% off.
Does adding the skins to them make a big difference on the tavola kits?At those prices (same as the WE Classics), not sure why anyone would want to buy anything but a FWK, (if your looking for a medium to lower end kit,) what a value!
Does adding the skins to them make a big difference on the tavola kits?
I saw the abv is different between the tavola and the higher end. Is that a concentration factor?IMO, Tavola beats all other kits right of the gate, but when you start adding skins it takes it up a notch. But the more skins you add the longer you should wait to experience the wines full potential
Yes, the Forte has a bit more concentrate volume, therefore has a higher starting gravityI saw the abv is different between the tavola and the higher end. Is that a concentration factor?
All one would have to do is add some simple syrup and kick up the ISG to match the potential ABV.I saw the abv is different between the tavola and the higher end. Is that a concentration factor?
I suspect there's more to it than simple sugar -- the Forte must has more body, not just higher Brix.I was wondering what the difference would be if one bought the Tavola series (say Zinfandel) and added two grape skin packs to the order. The Forte Zinfandel (which comes with two grape skin packs) is $127.49, and the Tavola Zinfandel on sale would be $106.28. A little bit of simple syrup to increase the ISG would be negligible in cost, so it appears to save one about $20.
You may be right Paul, but I remember everyone was very pleased with the Tavola series before the Forte series was available. Anyway, I am going to make a wine we made at home (75% Zinfandel and 25% Muscat) using the Tavola series. I have a Forte Zinfandel going now so I will be able to compare before blending the two wines.I suspect there's more to it than simple sugar -- the Forte must has more body, not just higher Brix.
Anyone measure the SG bump ya get from a bag (or 2) of grape skins? I did Not...with my recent Forte Bordeaux. :-/
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