Ok, this will probalby be the first(well, second, I guess) of many questions
from me in here.

Anyway, this saturday I started an Island Mist Exotic Fruits White Zinfandel
kit. For those who don't know, this is a pretty standard 7.5L/6 gallon kit,
which has two juice packets, the main packet is just supposed to be white
zinfandel, and the second packet is, I guess, the "exotic fruits" part.
Anyway, I've noticed that the juice from the White zinfandel packet is
noticably red/dark. It's nothing like the Merlot kit I will be bottling
this, but it's definiteiliy not near what a finished White Zinfandel kit
looks like.

This is the first white kit I've done(only second in general, just started
all this the first of this month, though as usual, ahve gone overboard, and
have 19 gallons in 9 different batches going right now), and I was curious
as to whether the darkness of this juice is just due to the grapes being
used(as obviously Zinfandel is normally used as a red), and if it'll clear
up to the light pink color I'm used to in White Zinfandels, or whether the
darker color is a peculiarity of this particular kit,a nd it'll jsut be a
darker "white".

And yes, I'm aware of the fact that red's gain their color not from the
juice, but from bering fermented with the skin. Rather fond of White
merlots.

The color of course will not keep me from getting this kit again, I just had
a lot of curiosity as to why the color presented this way,a nd if it would
stay this color or lighten up.

Thanks much
Joel

Joel Sprague wrote:
>
> Anyway, this saturday I started an Island Mist Exotic Fruits White Zinfandel
> kit.

> <snip>

> I was curious
> as to whether the darkness of this juice is just due to the grapes being
> used(as obviously Zinfandel is normally used as a red), and if it'll clear
> up to the light pink color I'm used to in White Zinfandels, or whether the
> darker color is a peculiarity of this particular kit,a nd it'll jsut be a
> darker "white".

As you note, white zin is actually a blush, and usually
darker than white merlot. Because a 7.5 L kit is going to
be almost all concentrate, the colour is also concentrated.
I think you'll find that once diluted to volume, the must
is an appropriately pink colour. The only other probable
cause of darkening would be oxidation; unlikely, but
possible. If there are brownish tones to the diluted must,
or if it has a sherry-like smell, do contact the seller.

Leslie Gadallah

First, you are really wrong when you assume that Island Mist makes standard
kits. They are not. They make low alcohol (6-7%) fruit flavored wines that
I call picnic wines. They are very nice on warm days when you want to drink
more volume. They are not traditional wines. Some wine purists do not like
them. People who do not like wine, tend to love them. I have made several
of the Island Mist kits and keep some on hand for certain guests and I am
not above enjoying some myself. Hope you are not disappointed if you are
expecting a standard white.

Also, for grapes and some other fruit, color comes mainly from the skin.
Some red wine grapes can be used to make white wine. Other grapes and fruit
will get some of their color from the juice with no skin contact and will
produce blush wines from just the juice.

If you want to make a real white wine you might try a Riesling or
Gewürztraminer kit. Some of them are quite good. Or if you want to go on
the cheap, try making white wine from Welch's frozen Niagara Concentrate.
It comes out better than you would think.

Ray
"Joel Sprague" > wrote in message
news:4isFe.6203$Zt.4805@okepread05...
> Ok, this will probalby be the first(well, second, I guess) of many
> questions
> from me in here.
>
> Anyway, this saturday I started an Island Mist Exotic Fruits White
> Zinfandel
> kit. For those who don't know, this is a pretty standard 7.5L/6 gallon
> kit,
> which has two juice packets, the main packet is just supposed to be white
> zinfandel, and the second packet is, I guess, the "exotic fruits" part.
> Anyway, I've noticed that the juice from the White zinfandel packet is
> noticably red/dark. It's nothing like the Merlot kit I will be bottling
> this, but it's definiteiliy not near what a finished White Zinfandel kit
> looks like.
>
> This is the first white kit I've done(only second in general, just started
> all this the first of this month, though as usual, ahve gone overboard,
> and
> have 19 gallons in 9 different batches going right now), and I was curious
> as to whether the darkness of this juice is just due to the grapes being
> used(as obviously Zinfandel is normally used as a red), and if it'll clear
> up to the light pink color I'm used to in White Zinfandels, or whether the
> darker color is a peculiarity of this particular kit,a nd it'll jsut be a
> darker "white".
>
> And yes, I'm aware of the fact that red's gain their color not from the
> juice, but from bering fermented with the skin. Rather fond of White
> merlots.
>
> The color of course will not keep me from getting this kit again, I just
> had
> a lot of curiosity as to why the color presented this way,a nd if it would
> stay this color or lighten up.
>
> Thanks much
> Joel
>
>

By standard kit I was merely referring to it being a 7.5L kit, packets of
yeast, pot meta, etc. I know it's a light picnic type "wine", or wine based
beverage, if you prefer. That's what I was looking for. I tend to prefer a
nice light, slightly sweet, white at times(of course, my favorites are
actually big tannic reds, but it varies by mood and by what I'm eating).
Definitely understand your concern about me not getting something I
expected, and glad I reread what you said. At first, I must admit I was a
little insulted, felt like you were saying I didn't know what I was talking
about, but now that I reread what you said, can see that it was out of
concern that I might not get what I expected, so thank you for your concern.
This is what I wanted this time though. Doing about one kti a month for
now until I get a goodly supply of wine, and next will be another red, but
after that looking to do a full white wine kit, probably one of the
Selection kits from Brew King(went with the cheaper kits on the first two,
Vintner's Reserve and this Island Mist now, but think I want to step up in
potential quality of final product on the next two).

I was aware of the fact that most red wines gain the color from the skins,
both from one book I've read and John Cleese's Wine for the Confused(which I
highly suggest for those trying to learn about wines in general).

I will follow your suggestion on the Welch's, but primarily because I
already have it in process, is in secondary right now under airlock. Thanks
for the tip though. I've started 7 1 gallon batches of various wines
from juices using Jack Keller's recipes(or 6 from juices and one from canned
blueberries, which I just pitched the yeast in this morning).

I was mainly just curious as to whether this color was normal, as I haven't
done enough kits yet, of either full wine kits, or the Island mist Wine
based beverage kits, to know if this was normal color for a zinfandel juice.
Thank you for your response though.

Have learned a lot already reading back messages in this group, sure I'll
continue to learn more.

Joel

"Ray Calvert" > wrote in message
. ..
> First, you are really wrong when you assume that Island Mist makes
standard
> kits. They are not. They make low alcohol (6-7%) fruit flavored wines
that
> I call picnic wines. They are very nice on warm days when you want to
drink
> more volume. They are not traditional wines. Some wine purists do not
like
> them. People who do not like wine, tend to love them. I have made
several
> of the Island Mist kits and keep some on hand for certain guests and I am
> not above enjoying some myself. Hope you are not disappointed if you are
> expecting a standard white.
>
> Also, for grapes and some other fruit, color comes mainly from the skin.
> Some red wine grapes can be used to make white wine. Other grapes and
fruit
> will get some of their color from the juice with no skin contact and will
> produce blush wines from just the juice.
>
> If you want to make a real white wine you might try a Riesling or
> Gewürztraminer kit. Some of them are quite good. Or if you want to go on
> the cheap, try making white wine from Welch's frozen Niagara Concentrate.
> It comes out better than you would think.
>
> Ray
> "Joel Sprague" > wrote in message
> news:4isFe.6203$Zt.4805@okepread05...
> > Ok, this will probalby be the first(well, second, I guess) of many
> > questions
> > from me in here.
> >
> > Anyway, this saturday I started an Island Mist Exotic Fruits White
> > Zinfandel
> > kit. For those who don't know, this is a pretty standard 7.5L/6 gallon
> > kit,
> > which has two juice packets, the main packet is just supposed to be
white
> > zinfandel, and the second packet is, I guess, the "exotic fruits" part.
> > Anyway, I've noticed that the juice from the White zinfandel packet is
> > noticably red/dark. It's nothing like the Merlot kit I will be bottling

> > this, but it's definiteiliy not near what a finished White Zinfandel kit
> > looks like.
> >
> > This is the first white kit I've done(only second in general, just
started
> > all this the first of this month, though as usual, ahve gone overboard,
> > and
> > have 19 gallons in 9 different batches going right now), and I was
curious
> > as to whether the darkness of this juice is just due to the grapes being
> > used(as obviously Zinfandel is normally used as a red), and if it'll
clear
> > up to the light pink color I'm used to in White Zinfandels, or whether
the
> > darker color is a peculiarity of this particular kit,a nd it'll jsut be
a
> > darker "white".
> >
> > And yes, I'm aware of the fact that red's gain their color not from the
> > juice, but from bering fermented with the skin. Rather fond of White
> > merlots.
> >
> > The color of course will not keep me from getting this kit again, I just
> > had
> > a lot of curiosity as to why the color presented this way,a nd if it
would
> > stay this color or lighten up.
> >
> > Thanks much
> > Joel
> >
> >
>
>

Thanks for reading between the lines and realizing I was not coming down on
you. If you like the Island Mist kits, try the Peach Apricot Chardonnay.
It is white and is very pleasant. I have made it several times.

Ray

"Joel Sprague" > wrote in message
newsDyFe.6207$Zt.4305@okepread05...
> By standard kit I was merely referring to it being a 7.5L kit, packets of
> yeast, pot meta, etc. I know it's a light picnic type "wine", or wine
> based
> beverage, if you prefer. That's what I was looking for. I tend to prefer
> a
> nice light, slightly sweet, white at times(of course, my favorites are
> actually big tannic reds, but it varies by mood and by what I'm eating).
> Definitely understand your concern about me not getting something I
> expected, and glad I reread what you said. At first, I must admit I was a
> little insulted, felt like you were saying I didn't know what I was
> talking
> about, but now that I reread what you said, can see that it was out of
> concern that I might not get what I expected, so thank you for your
> concern.
> This is what I wanted this time though. Doing about one kti a month
> for
> now until I get a goodly supply of wine, and next will be another red, but
> after that looking to do a full white wine kit, probably one of the
> Selection kits from Brew King(went with the cheaper kits on the first two,
> Vintner's Reserve and this Island Mist now, but think I want to step up in
> potential quality of final product on the next two).
>
> I was aware of the fact that most red wines gain the color from the skins,
> both from one book I've read and John Cleese's Wine for the Confused(which
> I
> highly suggest for those trying to learn about wines in general).
>
> I will follow your suggestion on the Welch's, but primarily because I
> already have it in process, is in secondary right now under airlock.
> Thanks
> for the tip though. I've started 7 1 gallon batches of various wines
> from juices using Jack Keller's recipes(or 6 from juices and one from
> canned
> blueberries, which I just pitched the yeast in this morning).
>
> I was mainly just curious as to whether this color was normal, as I
> haven't
> done enough kits yet, of either full wine kits, or the Island mist Wine
> based beverage kits, to know if this was normal color for a zinfandel
> juice.
> Thank you for your response though.
>
> Have learned a lot already reading back messages in this group, sure I'll
> continue to learn more.
>
> Joel
>
> "Ray Calvert" > wrote in message
> . ..
>> First, you are really wrong when you assume that Island Mist makes
> standard
>> kits. They are not. They make low alcohol (6-7%) fruit flavored wines
> that
>> I call picnic wines. They are very nice on warm days when you want to
> drink
>> more volume. They are not traditional wines. Some wine purists do not
> like
>> them. People who do not like wine, tend to love them. I have made
> several
>> of the Island Mist kits and keep some on hand for certain guests and I am
>> not above enjoying some myself. Hope you are not disappointed if you are
>> expecting a standard white.
>>
>> Also, for grapes and some other fruit, color comes mainly from the skin.
>> Some red wine grapes can be used to make white wine. Other grapes and
> fruit
>> will get some of their color from the juice with no skin contact and will
>> produce blush wines from just the juice.
>>
>> If you want to make a real white wine you might try a Riesling or
>> Gewürztraminer kit. Some of them are quite good. Or if you want to go
>> on
>> the cheap, try making white wine from Welch's frozen Niagara Concentrate.
>> It comes out better than you would think.
>>
>> Ray
>> "Joel Sprague" > wrote in message
>> news:4isFe.6203$Zt.4805@okepread05...
>> > Ok, this will probalby be the first(well, second, I guess) of many
>> > questions
>> > from me in here.
>> >
>> > Anyway, this saturday I started an Island Mist Exotic Fruits White
>> > Zinfandel
>> > kit. For those who don't know, this is a pretty standard 7.5L/6 gallon
>> > kit,
>> > which has two juice packets, the main packet is just supposed to be
> white
>> > zinfandel, and the second packet is, I guess, the "exotic fruits" part.
>> > Anyway, I've noticed that the juice from the White zinfandel packet is
>> > noticably red/dark. It's nothing like the Merlot kit I will be
>> > bottling
>
>> > this, but it's definiteiliy not near what a finished White Zinfandel
>> > kit
>> > looks like.
>> >
>> > This is the first white kit I've done(only second in general, just
> started
>> > all this the first of this month, though as usual, ahve gone overboard,
>> > and
>> > have 19 gallons in 9 different batches going right now), and I was
> curious
>> > as to whether the darkness of this juice is just due to the grapes
>> > being
>> > used(as obviously Zinfandel is normally used as a red), and if it'll
> clear
>> > up to the light pink color I'm used to in White Zinfandels, or whether
> the
>> > darker color is a peculiarity of this particular kit,a nd it'll jsut be
> a
>> > darker "white".
>> >
>> > And yes, I'm aware of the fact that red's gain their color not from the
>> > juice, but from bering fermented with the skin. Rather fond of White
>> > merlots.
>> >
>> > The color of course will not keep me from getting this kit again, I
>> > just
>> > had
>> > a lot of curiosity as to why the color presented this way,a nd if it
> would
>> > stay this color or lighten up.
>> >
>> > Thanks much
>> > Joel
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>

I think the Winexpert White Zin kits tend to run darker. I've got a batch
in the carboy right now, (the 15L selection kit), and it's really dark, but
when bottled, it lightens up quite a bit. But, it's probably the darkest
White Zin I've ever seen.

With regard to the Island Mist kit, to make it more like a traditional wine,
you can chapitalize (add sugar) to bring the SG up to about 1.090. To do
this, you would add 5 lbs of sugar to the must before or during fermenation.
This will boost the alcohol level to about 12%. I've heard this doesn't
alter the balance too much, but it still tastes the same as the wine
cooler/picnic beverage that was intended, but with the higher alcohol
content.

Regards,
Van

"Joel Sprague" > wrote in message
news:4isFe.6203$Zt.4805@okepread05...
> Ok, this will probalby be the first(well, second, I guess) of many
> questions
> from me in here.
>
> Anyway, this saturday I started an Island Mist Exotic Fruits White
> Zinfandel
> kit. For those who don't know, this is a pretty standard 7.5L/6 gallon
> kit,
> which has two juice packets, the main packet is just supposed to be white
> zinfandel, and the second packet is, I guess, the "exotic fruits" part.
> Anyway, I've noticed that the juice from the White zinfandel packet is
> noticably red/dark. It's nothing like the Merlot kit I will be bottling
> this, but it's definiteiliy not near what a finished White Zinfandel kit
> looks like.

Thanks for the input.

Mine's sitting in Carboy now too, will add last few packets tonight and let
it sit two weeks to make sure it clearsly nicely. But I might consider the
sugar next time around. Going to see what I think of this with the normal
recipe first.

Joel

"Van DeWald" > wrote in message
news:ffAIe.72$KX4.4@okepread05...
>I think the Winexpert White Zin kits tend to run darker. I've got a batch
>in the carboy right now, (the 15L selection kit), and it's really dark, but
>when bottled, it lightens up quite a bit. But, it's probably the darkest
>White Zin I've ever seen.
>
> With regard to the Island Mist kit, to make it more like a traditional
> wine, you can chapitalize (add sugar) to bring the SG up to about 1.090.
> To do this, you would add 5 lbs of sugar to the must before or during
> fermenation. This will boost the alcohol level to about 12%. I've heard
> this doesn't alter the balance too much, but it still tastes the same as
> the wine cooler/picnic beverage that was intended, but with the higher
> alcohol content.
>
> Regards,
> Van
>
> "Joel Sprague" > wrote in message
> news:4isFe.6203$Zt.4805@okepread05...
>> Ok, this will probalby be the first(well, second, I guess) of many
>> questions
>> from me in here.
>>
>> Anyway, this saturday I started an Island Mist Exotic Fruits White
>> Zinfandel
>> kit. For those who don't know, this is a pretty standard 7.5L/6 gallon
>> kit,
>> which has two juice packets, the main packet is just supposed to be white
>> zinfandel, and the second packet is, I guess, the "exotic fruits" part.
>> Anyway, I've noticed that the juice from the White zinfandel packet is
>> noticably red/dark. It's nothing like the Merlot kit I will be bottling
>> this, but it's definiteiliy not near what a finished White Zinfandel kit
>> looks like.
>
>

For anyone curious, I got around to bottling this batch(yes, I did the
minimum 28 days on this bathc and the one before, and probably on next two
too. Trying to get enough of a stock here of drinkable homemade wine that I
can start lengthening the aging times and continually improve the product).

But anyway, pulled a bit to check that it had cleared first, and while it's
not a white white, it's a definite pink color, as white zinfandels or white
merlots often are. So I suspect the color I initiially saw was a
combination of bubbles, the various matter that later settled, and just not
being used to seeing a wine liek this in a 6 gallon carboy, rather than in a
750ml bottle(which obviously lets more light through, as it passes through
less wine). Tasted the bit I pulled out to check clearness too, ended up
tasting great, jus twhat I like, a light white, a bit sweet. In other
words, what's generally a simple, cheap white wine, but hey, in white's,
that's what I like, at least a lot of the time.

Thanks again for all the input on this thread.

Joel