I'm new to winemaking and thank you all for the great info I have read while
lurking the past few months. My first attempt, still in the works, was a
kit which I am apt to do again until I get some chops. But being a man, I
want to ignore the directions ......

The instructions suggest racking to the carboy before fermentation is
complete and adding additives while in the carboy. Wouldn't it make more
sense to add all material while the must is in the primary fermenter making
it easier to stir? My local wine guy suggested leaving the must in the
primary fermenter till fermentation was complete then rack for
clarification. BTW, during which stages do I stir? All or just when
mixing in additives.

All input and direction is appreciated. Thanks!

Jeff

Jeff,
I never rack before fermentation is finished. You can stir until it
finishes. I usually let it sit for a few days once it's done fermenting
and then sulfite & rack, topping up the carboy.

I don't know what additives you have but some go in at different times,
you want to clarify the wine and some of those will help that.

Some wines are made sweet and sorbate helps keep them from
re-fermenting, that goes in at the end.

Some wines benefit from oak and some kits have you put that in first,
others a little later.

This time you may want to follow the directions, they are usually
foolproof. Next kit tell us what it is and what you are thinking of
doing. I really don't make kits, I use fresh wine juice and grapes so
can't speak with authority on kits.

Joe


Jeff Lange wrote:
> I'm new to winemaking and thank you all for the great info I have read while
> lurking the past few months. My first attempt, still in the works, was a
> kit which I am apt to do again until I get some chops. But being a man, I
> want to ignore the directions ......
>
> The instructions suggest racking to the carboy before fermentation is
> complete and adding additives while in the carboy. Wouldn't it make more
> sense to add all material while the must is in the primary fermenter making
> it easier to stir? My local wine guy suggested leaving the must in the
> primary fermenter till fermentation was complete then rack for
> clarification. BTW, during which stages do I stir? All or just when
> mixing in additives.
>
> All input and direction is appreciated. Thanks!
>
> Jeff

Jeff:

In my town, I'm the 'local wine guy' as I run a Brew on Premise.
IMHO, your local guy is full of it. That's one of the ways to bad
results, such as oxidized wine.

Follow the instructions. You should get good results.

You didn't say what kit you bought so I can't give you any helpful
tips.

Steve

On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 09:44:35 -0400, "Jeff Lange" >
wrote:

>I'm new to winemaking and thank you all for the great info I have read while
>lurking the past few months. My first attempt, still in the works, was a
>kit which I am apt to do again until I get some chops. But being a man, I
>want to ignore the directions ......
>
>The instructions suggest racking to the carboy before fermentation is
>complete and adding additives while in the carboy. Wouldn't it make more
>sense to add all material while the must is in the primary fermenter making
>it easier to stir? My local wine guy suggested leaving the must in the
>primary fermenter till fermentation was complete then rack for
>clarification. BTW, during which stages do I stir? All or just when
>mixing in additives.
>
>All input and direction is appreciated. Thanks!
>
>Jeff
>