Tweaked Beaverdale Rioja

[Richard S]

Looking forward to a slurp of this one Richard

Me too but it will be a while, it tastes great on bottling day then goes into hiding/bottle shock for a bit. I will keep a couple of gallons in demi johns so I can keep an eye on progress better.

just a word of caution if you are new to winemaking, doing this will make your kit warranty void, its something for later in your winemaking, once you have your techniques nailed down.

Good point, I know this kit rather well and know that these additions won't do too much harm. Could be a good way to enhance a Barolo.

[Her Lushness]

As ever, thanks for the suggetions and advice guys, I'm defo going to give this one a go next Rioja I do.

[lockwood1956]

Looking forward to a slurp of this one Richard

just a word of caution if you are new to winemaking, doing this will make your kit warranty void, its something for later in your winemaking, once you have your techniques nailed down.

regards
Bob

[lockwood1956]

I wouldn't re-use the oak chips either

regards
Bob

[Richard S]

Am I right in thinking that you can re-use the wood chips that you put in wine? (I assume it was a 5 gallon kit you refer to?)

Yes it is a 5 gal kit and no to re-using the chips. The oak was £2 from the local hbs so no great loss. Keep 2 or 3 bottles of Rioja back for topping up your next kit with.

[Her Lushness]

Am I right in thinking that you can re-use the wood chips that you put in wine? (I assume it was a 5 gallon kit you refer to?)

Either way this sounds like a plan, and I think I will try it next time i do a Rioja - I just bottled up 30 bottles of it 2 weeks ago, so it may be a few months until I start another one... then again...

I've got a 5 gallon Beaverdale Cabernet on the go at the moment - I'm trying to increase my stocks of "ready to drink" wine ready for Xmas, and as I'm off work sick at the moment, I've got plenty of time on my hands to pester you all on this forum and ferment things

[Richard S]

One of my choice slurping reds is the Beaverdale Rioja. The last one I made was in November and already I find myself down to the last few bottles. I bought another and decided to try to "enhance" the kit a little by adding a few extras. The kit comes with a packet of oak dust, I like oak so in went a 30g packet of French oak chips as well. I also added 500g of chopped sunmaid raisins and 1tsp of tannin. Anyway, I am at the de-gassing stage now so I thought I would sneak a taste (as you do ) and all I can say is YEEEEEEHAAAAAW!!!! Me thinks it's gonna be good.