Hi all:

I posted recently about an Island Mist kit I had recently done. It was a
black raspberry merlot, and from a couple of tastings before I racked it,
thought I had made a grave error in buying it. It was very sweet, not
pleasing at all to my palate - I believe my original description was 'mildly
alcoholic Kool-Aid.' At the time I was looking for ways to save it.

Turns out, I should have been more patient. I gave it another ten days in
the carboy to clear a bit more, then filtered and bottled it last night. The
finished product is a pleasant surprise. While it remains rather sweet for
me, and I'm not sure if I'll make it again, it's a nice, light, refreshing
beverage, good for a summer/fall party I'm thinking, and it's better served
cold. It would probably be better suited to people who really don't like
wine a whole lot, it's more like a cooler than anything. But certainly
drinkable, and I wouldn't be afraid to give it as a gift.

Sorry if I scared anyone off Island Mist kits. The black raspberry really
isn't bad at all. I did however take back the white strawberry that i
purchased at the same time, traded it in for a good, safe French savignon
blanc.

KD

I make several Niagra Mist kits each year and find that even though
they are good to drink at bottling time they drastically improve over a
few months. I like too modify the kits I get and add sugar to bring
the potential alc. up to about 11-12%.

-J

Adding sugar, that's interesting. I'm fairly new to this craft...how much
sugar would you add to a kit like this, and when would you add it? I think
I'd enjoy this wine more if it were a standard alcohol level rather than the
6 per cent kool aid I've got. Still tastes ok though.

KD


"JD" > wrote in message
...
> I make several Niagra Mist kits each year and find that even though
> they are good to drink at bottling time they drastically improve over a
> few months. I like too modify the kits I get and add sugar to bring
> the potential alc. up to about 11-12%.
>
> -J
>