Aug 2003
Help! I am out of wine, I need something quick
August, 2003 Filed in: Wine making
More than once we have heard this comment after winemakers have been enjoying our warm fall avoiding the destiny of winter. While we can’t make a 4 week kit in 3 weeks or less we can make a couple of suggestions to help with your dilemma.
The solution to your problem might be in choosing the right type of wine. If your preference is for a red wine, you might want to consider a lighter bodied red wine such as Bergamais (Vintners Reserve) or BeauSoleil (CellarCraft). These two wines contain Gamay juice, which is also found in the popular Beaujolais wine. These wines are renowned for their ability to be consumed on the young side and yet be very enjoyable.
Other lighter bodied red considerations are Pinot Noir, and possibly the Italian superstars, Valpolicella and Chianti. Drinking fuller bodied wines on the young side really doesn’t do them justice. However, if you must and your find your wine has a bit of an “edge” to it you may want to consider the addition of a small amount of glycerine. Glycerine will smooth your wine out, and really does not sweeten your wine when added in small amounts. If you want people to ooh ad aww at your wine you will be surprised at the effect of glycerine. Glycerine will give your wine, legs (no it won’t walk away on you).
If your preference is white wine your choices are a little more extensive. It is probably easier to tell you what not to choose rather than what to choose as is the case with the reds. Stay away from kits containing Chardonnay juice and possibly Riesling as both these wines deserve to be aged to reveal their true character. Blush wines also are consideration if you will be consuming wine on the young side.
At the end of the day, use the old home winemakers adage, aaahhh September , a fabulous vintage!
The solution to your problem might be in choosing the right type of wine. If your preference is for a red wine, you might want to consider a lighter bodied red wine such as Bergamais (Vintners Reserve) or BeauSoleil (CellarCraft). These two wines contain Gamay juice, which is also found in the popular Beaujolais wine. These wines are renowned for their ability to be consumed on the young side and yet be very enjoyable.
Other lighter bodied red considerations are Pinot Noir, and possibly the Italian superstars, Valpolicella and Chianti. Drinking fuller bodied wines on the young side really doesn’t do them justice. However, if you must and your find your wine has a bit of an “edge” to it you may want to consider the addition of a small amount of glycerine. Glycerine will smooth your wine out, and really does not sweeten your wine when added in small amounts. If you want people to ooh ad aww at your wine you will be surprised at the effect of glycerine. Glycerine will give your wine, legs (no it won’t walk away on you).
If your preference is white wine your choices are a little more extensive. It is probably easier to tell you what not to choose rather than what to choose as is the case with the reds. Stay away from kits containing Chardonnay juice and possibly Riesling as both these wines deserve to be aged to reveal their true character. Blush wines also are consideration if you will be consuming wine on the young side.
At the end of the day, use the old home winemakers adage, aaahhh September , a fabulous vintage!