First time basic red grape using some grapes + RGJ.

[Richie_asg1]

My first time doing a traditional red grape wine.
So far - 3 x large tubs black grapes from Co-Op,
De-stalked into FV and poured boiling water over just to cover.
Smushed to break skins. Left for 24 hours to cool.

Planning to use GV2 red wine yeast, but no extra nutrient and trying to stay off sulphites.

Additions of Welches red grape juice to make up to 5L (up to 4L and then top up when calmed down)

Do I need pectolase? How long to ferment on the pulp?
Am I ok to add most of the RGJ straight away or just ferment the pulp, strain then ferment all the juice?

Thank you.

 

[Richie_asg1]

3 days in and it popped it's lid!
It's about 5L on a 10L FV, but it made it to the top. Ended up using half a pack of Ritchies 1840 red wine yeast. Seems to be working.....
Now with lid sealed and airlock added.

 

[Richie_asg1]

Update on this. I did use 1tsp. pectolase, and 1L of the grape juice just to make it more mobile.
I waited till things calmed down a lot, then filtered through a muslin into a 5L water bottle, then added the other 2L grape juice, and it started up again.
Again left it to calm down, then fed it with 300g of sugar dissolved in 500mls water in which I boiled a sliced beetroot, and added 1/4tsp of grape tannin. The idea was to keep the colour and not dilute it.

Yesterday, degassed by shaking in another Dj with a campden tablet then bottled. Was drinkable then but will sit on them for 3 months.

 

[Richie_asg1]

Another batch on today from CoOp reduced grapes - couldn't resist.

3 x500g tubs destalked, tipped into about 1.5 L boiling water in a large pan. Then cooled in the sink, smushed to break skins 2 tsp pectolase added, then left in a brew bucket overnight.
Next day, 1L RGJ and 1L Blueberry juice added, plus 800g white sugar added to 500mls water and boiled, the added.
Mixed, temp was 26C so pitched half packet of GV2.

Took an OG reading this time and is a happy 1.100, but the fruit pulp got in the way a bit.

Fizzing away next day.

 

[Andymoz-70]

Might try this recipe next week. Just put a beaverdale 6 bottle pino grigio kit on today. A good excuse to fill that empty fv :)

 

[Richie_asg1]

Just tried the Red & Blue (Good name maybe?), and it is a little harsh to start but then you get the fruit and a lovely blueberry finish. Reminds me of eating blueberry muffins.
Maybe add a few drops of vanilla next time then it really would be like muffins.

 

[johncrobinson]

If you can resist drinking it the harshess should vanish after a wee while.

I have often thought about using vanilla in a wine,I have a few sticks and they smell delicious.