Concentrating commercial wine kits

[MadRabbit]

So I just finished making a batch of apfelwein with the honey thrown in to give an extra "kick"....

Then that gave me the idea to make a batch of reisling from a kit with some honey thrown in to give an extra "kick".... wooo!! Turned out OK.

Then that gave me the idea to get a wine kit and dilute it less to have more natural sugar for fermentation with out adding honey or sugar or some such.

So I got 3 kits of concentrate reisling and used them to make 2 batches. Basically, 1.5 times as much juice by adding less water. Lalvin EC-1118 is supposed to live up to 18% I read. Before you say "You are gonna get 10 imperial gallons of rocket fuel," maybe that is what I was going for!

Of course like most great ideas I started going without thinking it all the way through. It is now bubbling away happily in the primaries. What happens when it is time to rack it stabilize it and clear it?

Will I need to do anything to the pH due to lack of dilution of the concentrate? Should I use 1 packet of sorbate or 1.5 packets? Will I need more, less, or the same sulphite as a regular batch?

Or with the dubious quality of this whole concept will it really not matter either way anyway?

 

[DoctorCAD]

Extra "kick"????

Exactly what do you want from this concoction?

 

[Unferth]

Extra "kick"????

Exactly what do you want from this concoction?

Kick = alcohol. Plain and simple.

MadRabbit,

I don't think you'll have much trouble if you stay with the exact same process for this wine. Those cheapo kits I've always found weak (in taste) too, so maybe this will help it out. Your PH may be off, I'd get the acid blend from your LHBS, assuming its too low, or you might add calcium carbonate (tums) if its too acidic. Buy some of those ph strips and check it, my guess is that it will be fine, bit will take some more time to condition.

Good luck

 

[WilliamSlayer]

I only tried this sort of thing once and got a very 'boozy' sharp flavor (too much ABV, too much acidity). Like you said though, maybe that's what you want...

If all else fails you can add water...

 

[novalou]

So I just finished making a batch of apfelwein with the honey thrown in to give an extra "kick"....

Then that gave me the idea to make a batch of reisling from a kit with some honey thrown in to give an extra "kick".... wooo!! Turned out OK.

Then that gave me the idea to get a wine kit and dilute it less to have more natural sugar for fermentation with out adding honey or sugar or some such.

So I got 3 kits of concentrate reisling and used them to make 2 batches. Basically, 1.5 times as much juice by adding less water. Lalvin EC-1118 is supposed to live up to 18% I read. Before you say "You are gonna get 10 imperial gallons of rocket fuel," maybe that is what I was going for!

Of course like most great ideas I started going without thinking it all the way through. It is now bubbling away happily in the primaries. What happens when it is time to rack it stabilize it and clear it?

Will I need to do anything to the pH due to lack of dilution of the concentrate? Should I use 1 packet of sorbate or 1.5 packets? Will I need more, less, or the same sulphite as a regular batch?

Or with the dubious quality of this whole concept will it really not matter either way anyway?

I've done this with two kits. I bought kits that yields 6 gallons. I added water to make 5 gallons. Both kits turned out great. I didn't add anything else, just followed the kit directions.

 

[MadRabbit]

Exactly what do you want from this concoction?

10 imperial gallons of rocket fuel. I've made 37 wine kits according to the directions; now the past couple months I am playing.

Those cheapo kits I've always found weak (in taste) too, so maybe this will help it out. Your PH may be off, I'd get the acid blend from your LHBS, assuming its too low, or you might add calcium carbonate (tums) if its too acidic. Buy some of those ph strips and check it

Yes, the cheap kits taste light and watery. I was thinking it would need something more complicated but (unflavoured) tums is a good idea, if necessary. Thanks!