How to increase wine kit alcohol content

[metalmickey]

Hi all

Ive just made a pinot noir from a kit and my starting SG was 1065 and my finishing was 995 which the calculator suggests is an ABV of 9.3%.

Is it supposed to be this level for the taste of the kit or is there a way of increasing the abv somehow to get it closer to an average wine of about 14%?

Thanks

Neil

 

[corby_brewer]

All you have to do is add more sugar. And start fementation over again.

 

[31bb3]

just stick a kilo of sugar/ glucose powder in or you can add pure grape juice

 

[metalmickey]

Thanks.

On average to kit wines come up short on ABV? Should i expect to fall short on alcohol and add an extra amount of sugar on starting the kit?

Neil

 

[31bb3]

put the sugar in when you first start thhe kit

 

[Moley]

I always swore I would never do a kit wine but, against all my principles, I've just tried a couple of Beaverdale reds to see if they really are any good. They both started around 1.080 and dropped to 0.992 giving 12% abv. That seems a bit on the skinny side, so if I ever do another I might add some sugar.

just stick a kilo of sugar/ glucose powder in or you can add pure grape juice

That's a fairly dangerous generalisation, and I hope Eddie is talking about a 5 gallon kit.

To get another couple of percent alcohol you need about 50g sugar per litre.

 

[31bb3]

I always swore I would never do a kit wine but, against all my principles, I've just tried a couple of Beaverdale reds to see if they really are any good. They both started around 1.080 and dropped to 0.992 giving 12% abv. That seems a bit on the skinny side, so if I ever do another I might add some sugar.

just stick a kilo of sugar/ glucose powder in or you can add pure grape juice

That's a fairly dangerous generalisation, and I hope Eddie is talking about a 5 gallon kit.

To get another couple of percent alcohol you need about 50g sugar per litre.

Whoops sorry Moley yes i mean a 5 gallon kit my mistake thanks for correcting me

 

[andymacintyre]

Were the Beaverdale kits any good?

Andy

 

[corby_brewer]

Were the Beaverdale kits any good?

Andy

the simple answer to this question is YES.

 

[Moley]

Were the Beaverdale kits any good?

Jury's still out, early testing has been favourable but I'm trying to leave the rest to 6 months.

 

[metalmickey]

Do i need to add the sugar in solution/syrup or can i add it granulated? Also, should it be plain old granulated cane sugar or caster?

Neil

 

[Moley]

If you're starting a new brew, boil the sugar first in some of the water and then allow it to cool.

If you're adding it to an existing wine, just stir some in, but try a couple of ounces at a time and see if your yeasties take an interest.

Yes, plain old granulated or caster. It's exactly the same stuff, just different grain sizes.