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Beefing up kit

My local winemaking shop only carries Brew King Vintners Reserve kits, so I usually order better kits on-line. However, I was in the shop yesterday, and noticed a pretty large selection of V-R kits on the shelf, including one Merlot. I've never made Merlot, and have a couple of empty 6-gal carboys, so I made an impulse purchase -- now, however, I'd like to try to improve the probable end product...

My typical schedule with kits is:

5-10 days in primary; Rack to secondary, set aside under cover for at least 15 days; Rack and add sulphite, sorbate and fining agent, and set aside for at least 20 days; Rack and set aside for at least 50 days. Bottle when I'm ready.

Generally, I've been pleased with the results.

For the V-R Merlot, I've considered (and decided against) doing it as a

5-gal kit. What other measures (e.g., adding a few pounds of raisins to the primary) could I take to better the end product?

Thanks,

Bart

Reply to
bwesley7
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Although the VR kits are very nice, if you have been doing higher end kits, I don't think you would be satisfied with the VR. Some people make the kit to a smaller quantity (no bargain there). The samples I tried that were done that way just tasted strong and harsh and definitely not "better".

Reply to
Brewser83

Hello Bart, There are many ways to customize a kit. I'm not familiar with the Vintners reserve. How many litres of concentrate do you start with? Regards, Al

Reply to
Alfonse

It's a cheap kit, only 7.5 ltrs (and priced accordingly...).

Bart

Reply to
bwesley7

Bart,

I always make VR reds as 5 US gal batches with good results. The chianti comes out especially well. If you make wine from fresh grapes, freeze the pomace and add it to the primary of these kits...it seems to hide some of the cooked flavor and increases complexity and aging potenial. I don't recommend doing 5 gal VR batches with whites.

Good Luck, David

Reply to
David D.

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