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CA Syrah - RJS Kit

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epetkus

epetkus

NewBee
Registered Member
Jan 1, 2009
378
2
0
Florida
Decided to try making a batch of wine from a kit. Chose a CA Syrah from RJ Spagnols - Cellar Classic, Winery Series. This kit comes with grape skins that get put into a hop bag for infusion into the must.

Since this is my first kit, I decided to follow the directions exactly. Variations may come later if I'm happy with what this produces.

Compared to mead making, it was a bit wierd adding bentonite right up front, and I'm seriously debating using the keisol and chitosan clearing agents versus just let it drop clear by itself.

Anyway, we'll see how it goes! ;D

Eric
 
I usually use the Bentonite when doing kits. I figure the juice has been clarified, so the additional particulate matter provided by the Bentonite probably helps fermentation to go smoother and faster. I never use the other fining agent in the red kits, and just let them clear through bulk aging, but then I'm used to bulk aging. What's more, If I get some sediment in the bottom of a bottle of red wine, it doesn't bother me in the least. After all, you'll be hard pressed to find a vintage red that's been aged properly without some sediment.

I haven't tried that particular kit, but that series makes some very good wines so I expect you're going to get something quite good. The only problem with kits is that they make it too darned easy (compared to mead making).

One nice thing to keep in mind is that they are designed for 23 liters and after racking once or twice, you may find that you have a couple of liters more than will fit in a 5-gallon carboy. You can of course save that for topping up, or bottling, but I have had fun using the "extra" in kits to blend in with traditional meads making pyments. Just an idea for having more fun. :)
 
Medsen,

Thanks for the finings experience and the pyment suggestion! I'm actually splitting this batch with a friend, and I think one of my carboys is actually closer to a 6 gallon than a five gallon, but I may blend some of my batch with a mead and see how that turns out.

Eric
 
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