TINO SAYS HELLO. New to the game. Here is the story so far.

[diiulio]

I have decied to sledgehammer a vent from a dining room cupboard into the chimney stack. This has been covered with a muslin and is now a nice hidden addition to the dining room. Cleaned and worked on the cupboard and it now has the makings of a nice little production plant.

I got the book CJJ berry first steps in winemaking a few days ago and speed read it overnight. (my opinion - it is dated but still good for background).

Against the advice I have read online - I have started a 30bottle winebuddy kit (youngs) (20 quid). From reading forums and berry decided that a half pound of squished rasberries and a lemon was a nice random fruity addition. Kit has started well (3 days in and so far is bubbling away nicely). (Debated putting a campden in but decided to leave the kit sulphites do the work).

Tonight I have put a half pound of squished rasberries, a quarter pound of grapes, a pint out of the ABOVE youngs kit (yeast starter). A spoon of tannin, a spoon of yeast food, two plums and some syrup and took the sugarmeter into the blue with tate n lyle (1.085) (about a half pound). I also chucked in one campden as there was likely to be some wild yeast to surpress in this lot. It is already bubbling away and I have already felt quite proud :) Just over a gallon container (5l)

All I am asking is - is any of this going to be worth all this fun. If I get to drink 30-40 bottles on top I think this is a hobby and a half

I would like a simple answer - is this going to beat a 3 for £10 bottle in asda or is it going to be stinky hooch!!!! I will of course wait and see and undoubtedly try and get one up on chateau neuf de pape in the longer term :)

Any advice would be extremely welcome.
Regards
Tino (novice winemaker)

 

[diiulio]

Want to post a picture of my little factory but can't work this out?

 

[Duncs]

With all that fruit, I'd put a bit of pectolase in there too.

 

[diiulio]

Should the pectolase go in during the fermentation or will it work at the end to clarify?

Does look a cloudier than the kit but still has a nice red colour. I will order some just in case.
Thanks.

 

[Duncs]

I believe that it can go in at any time, I always put some in at the beginning along with the yeast.

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

Moley will be along, he's one of the in-house wine experts.

BB

 

[Moley]

Should the pectolase go in during the fermentation or will it work at the end to clarify?

1 tsp to the gallon from the start as a preventative measure, 2 tsps to the gallon later on as a remedial treatment.

I can't comment on the Young's kit as I've never made one, but if your hygiene has been good and you follow the instructions it ought to match the “three for a tenner”.

The other one sounds a bit light on fruit, it's usually a minimum of 3 lbs to the gallon unless you're using something with a particularly strong flavour.

 

[diiulio]

I have put a teaspoon of pectolase into the second trial. I have not added it to the kit.

Thinking it might be light on fruit. I have now also added a can of grape concentrate to it.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[diiulio]

Should I increase it further with some raisins?

 

[HLA91]

Should I increase it further with some raisins?

Umm, not knowing the amount of sugar in RGC I am not going to say yes or no.
Raisins add sugar [amount of raisins in grams] * 0.666 = how much sugar in grams, check what you hydro is now that you have added the concentrate, if there is room for more sugar then I think I would but raisins add body to a wine just like concentrate so is it possible to have too much body?

 

[Moley]

If there's room in the fermenter, yes, I would add some.


While I'm a big fan of the ‘making it up as you go along’ school of winemaking and brewing, if you've got “First Steps” then try a few recipes straight out of the book but never use more than 3 lbs of sugar to the gallon.

 

[diiulio]

Thanks for the help. 3 batches on the go now so recipes will have to wait for a while.

3rd batch is another kit (1 gallon cabernet) and instructions followed to the letter.

Looking forward to comparing them all.

 

[DrTr1cks]

Simple answer of course it beats the 3 for £10 offer with all the fun too :)

if your doing kits as I did when I returned to this awesome hobby, just coz they say 7 day kits or so is more often than not incorrect as depending on temps in house sometimes more or less but learn to be patient and you will be better rewarded with a nicer taste :)

Hope I have helped