Kit selection

[Alypius]

Aloha,

I'm coming back from a deployment and SWMBO has decreed that I shall make her wine. She loves moscato, so I was looking at the Vintner's Reserve California Muscat as well as the Eclipse Columbia Valley Riesling. Reading the boards, I don't think I can go wrong with either kit, but I was hoping some of you could please tell me how sweet the wines get. Thanks a lot!

 

[pumpkinman2012]

Although I haven't made any Kit Moscato, I usually make 10-12 gallons of Moscato each season from Juice buckets, the Chilean, Californian and the Italian juice buckets.
They will ferment to dry, I usually back sweeten the moscato just enough to off set some of the natural acidity, I make an Asti Spumante type sparkling wine from it as well. It doesn't last very long around here.

 

[Alypius]

Thanks! I just ordered the Eclipse Riesling and the chocolate-orange port kits (one for her, one for me) so they should be there by the time I get home.

 

[Yooper]

Thanks! I just ordered the Eclipse Riesling and the chocolate-orange port kits (one for her, one for me) so they should be there by the time I get home.

The Eclipse kits are new(ish) and I've been impressed with the quality. I think you'll be very happy with your choices!

 

[WilliamSlayer]

Aloha,

I'm coming back from a deployment and SWMBO has decreed that I shall make her wine. She loves moscato, so I was looking at the Vintner's Reserve California Muscat as well as the Eclipse Columbia Valley Riesling. Reading the boards, I don't think I can go wrong with either kit, but I was hoping some of you could please tell me how sweet the wines get. Thanks a lot!

The Eclipse kit is a much higher quality, but the Vintners kit will be ready faster. Its a trade off!

 

[pumpkinman2012]

I've made the Eclipse Merlot and Eclipse Zinf, the Merlot is good even at a young 1 year mark, the Zinf was and still is a real turn off, it has become a cooking wine, and even then I am apprehensive about using it.

 

[Alypius]

I'll probably stick with the Eclipse series. SWMBO doesn't often drink wine so I want to make sure that when she does, she's drinking something of quality. I'm definitely looking forward to expanding my fermenting to wines after making beer and mead! I hope that we don't move in the next few years...I don't relish the thought of moving several cases of aging wines and meads.

I'm definitely much more of a beer fan. I just spent a few days in Rome sampling every red I could order. I loved the amarone, but I honestly didn't think the other stuff was as exciting as the local beer. The Italian craftbrew scene is just starting to come around (Open Baladin is a great brewpub) and I was impressed with their saisons. Thanks for everyone's advice and thoughts!