Making normal strength wine?

[Omega]

I like my wines made from kits. However, I suspect they are 8-9.5% strength while I want to get to 11-13%. And I think I ferment all sugar out
I read that I can add brandy, but I don't like the idea
Are there other options to make the wine stronger from the start?
I am considering adding more sugar, but suspect I may end up with simply sweet wine

Here is the list of wine kits I used so far, all seem to taste nice (some supermarket wines are not as tasty as mine), but not to the strength of a supermarket ones:

1. Cosmopolitan Twisted Mist (made in Canada)
2. Beaverdale White Wine Kit - Sauvignon Blanc
3. Beaverdale Red Wine Kit - Rojo Tinto
4. Wineworks Red Riocca
5. Beaverdale 30 Bottle Red Wine Kit - Vieux Chateau Du Roi
6. Wineworks Express Superior Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine Kit

Thanks

 

[old dog new tricks]

To go stronger you will need more sugar yes but also a yeast than can support the higher ABV and some form of nutrient.

This also run the risk of being very dry and losing flavour, as long as active yeast adding more sugar will not sweeten the yeast will use it

many are more expert than me but that the very basic

 

[Chippy_Tea]

I like my wines made from kits. However, I suspect they are 8-9.5% strength while I want to get to 11-13%.

Most kits are around 11 - 13% where are you getting the 8 - 9.5 figure from?

 

[Chippy_Tea]

If you are determined have a look at this - https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/adding-sugar-to-wine-kits-to-increase-abv.95636/

 

[Omega]

Most kits are around 11 - 13% where are you getting the 8 - 9.5 figure from?

I have Rapt Pill and manually measure gravity before and after - the results are close to each other easily within 1%, so I am confident my wine is weak. Also, drinking and not getting drunk is another indicator of a weak wine .

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Do the kits you buy have the ABV listed as i said earlier most I have bought are around 13%

 

[Omega]

I checked now and do not see they mention ABV, except Cosmopolitan, here is the list of the wines I made:

1. Cosmopolitan Twisted Mist (made in Canada), 4/11/2023, sg 1050, 21-23/11/2023 1000,
2. Beaverdale White Wine Kit - Sauvignon Blanc - 30 Bottle (23L), 9.2-9.3% alcohol (bottled 29/9/2023)
3. Beaverdale Red Wine Kit - Rojo Tinto - 30 Bottle (23L)
4. Wineworks Red Riocca
5. Beaverdale 30 Bottle Red Wine Kit - Vieux Chateau Du Roi
6. Wineworks Express Superior Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine Kit

Suspect they deliberately do not mention expected alcohol % as this allows to say that errors are on the side of the wine maker, not kit maker

 

[Chippy_Tea]

We have made loads of Winebuddy kits as it says below "Equivalent to commercial wine at approx 11% ABV"

I seem to remember reading it has to be above 10% to stop it spoiling when storing for a long period of time.
(this could be a load of billhooks)

 

[Omega]

Thank you - I will try Winebuddy kits next time, it is time for me to buy some

 

[Supersocks]

I make my wine kits up to 21 litres instead of the 23 they are supposed to be as I find them a bit meh otherwise, I guess that's another approach?
Must measure the gravity before and after nextime to see how its finishing out.

 

[Omega]

Sounds like a great idea. I sometimes wonder how come I have not thought about it? I will do it next time
How is acidity of the wine? The reason why I am asking is because I recently made kvass, and I feel it is very acid and I suspect the acidity stopped it fermenting

 

[Supersocks]

Just more flavour to be honest and presumably a little more alcohol too, I usually do Sauvignon Blanc (Beaverdale or On The House) and fizz it up in my DrinkMate, tastes great to my not so refined palette. Cannot say I've noticed any more acidity at all.

 

[Ale House Rock]

I've made a good few Winexpert kits and they all come out at around 13%. Your post doesn't mention any specific gravity readings. Did you record these at the beginning and end of fermentation?

 

[Cwrw666]

Beaver Dale kits come out at about 10% and a bit watery. Just make them up to a smaller volume which solves all issues. I do mine at 4.5 gallons instead of 5. Best one of the Beaver dales is the Nebiolo, the Mrs loves it and it's better than most £6 supermarket wines.

 

[Supersocks]

Another vote for Beaverdale here. I'm convinced On The House is the same as the WinExpert classic range, the instruction leaflet is extremely similar and to be honest i cannot tell the difference in taste, certainly not worth the price premium to my mind.

 

[Supersocks]

Just started a Beaverdale Sauvignon Blanc today and made up to 21 litres as usual, I was curious after this post of what this would normally end up at so measured the gravity and starting off its about 1.08