California Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Making Kit - VineCo Signature Series™
California Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Making Kit - VineCo Signature Series™
SKU: WK907
$182.99
SKU: WK907
$182.99
This Signature Series Cabernet is one of the best wine kits I've ever used, and I've been making wine for 15 years. The additional grape skins made a huge difference in the depth of flavors you could taste, and the smoked oak cubes really put on the finishing touch.
This is the most I have paid for a wine kit to date. However, after racking to the 2nd carboy we tasted a glass. OUTSTANDING!! Very smooth with a slight oak finish that lingers on the palate. Followed the instruction to a "T" and started on 2-4-21 and racked to 2nd carboy on 4-18-21. Looking forward to drinking this one with steak and many meals. Will be bottling in a couple of days. Really appreciate the enclosed labels.
How many botles yield?
Do people do a MLF with a wine kit like this? Thx!
I am doing one! Every red wine should have a MLF done on it.
I suppose you could but I never have. You don't need to.
Neil; I have not done a MLF with any of the Vineco kits but it should be possible. I have made a num ber of kits from MoreWine and they have all been wonderful and well received. Several (in a wine tasting comparison) were preferred over a twenty dollar bottle off the shelf. I would love hearing about your success if you try the MLF.
To start with you would have to introduce the right bacteria since kit juice is sterilized. The bacteria then converts malic acid to lactic acid. My understanding is that kits have a high amount of malic acid due to concentration process. The risk is trying a malolactic fermentation will leave the wine flabby… low acid as far as mouth feel.
As far as I have been able to research no. You do not need to do malolactic fermentation on kit wines. Apparently that has already been adjusted . I have made three different vineco red wine kits (the best ones with skin packs) and they have turned out fine. Not as good as my homemade from grapes but with a lot less hassle.
I didn't add a bacterial inocculation to the wine but it should happen naturally in the secondary fermenter
No. The Malolactic bacteria have been removed MLF is not possible.
I would not.
Absolutely! And I also use Brewmaster CY3079 dry yeast. Together they give a nice buttery finish. I add the Lavin EC-1118 yeast that comes with the kit about day three of the initial ferment to insure dryness.
Everything comes in the kit. I don't know if the MLF process is required as the kits have packets that you add over the weeks before bottling.
Personally I would not worry about it. I have produced several great wines from these VineCo kits with no MF. I'm sure there is someone who disagrees and will let us know why but my experience is don't worry about it. If you are entering a wine in some sort of competition maybe there's a good reason to do a MF.
Generally not wine kits are formulated and balanced there are numerous reasons kit wines should avoid MLF
What exactly is in the kit? Juice skins yeast KSO4 bentonite clarifying agents. Is that right and what else?
all the things you asked about plus oak chips and a mesh bag for the wine skins and a detailed instructions that help keep you on track. I did however use a different yeast RC212 . Turns out a very enjoyable wine
It also has oak chips and cubes and a mesh bag for the skins.
That is everything. You need a fermenter and carboy.