2018 Verdicchio
October 2018
American Brewmaster has some kits on sale. They’re old – the R J Spagnols Grand Cru Verdicchio I purchased is dated February 2017, so it’s a year and a half old. I’ve made older kits before, had no problems, so I didn’t even blink when buying this kit.
I had to google “verdicchio” before I purchased this kit – never heard of the grape before. It’s an Italian white that used to be in heavy demand but has lost favor in recent decades. I’m ecumenical … I’ll give it a try!
I’ve been making beer, which is more complicated to start. In comparison this is amazingly simple.
Ingredients
| Kit | R J Spagnols Grand Cru Verdicchio Kit |
| Bentonite | package doesn’t state size; looks like the same amount as Winexpert kits |
| Yeast | Lalvin EC-1118 |
| Sulfite | yes |
| Sorbate | yes |
| Fining Agent | kieselsol and chitosan |
Method
| Added 1 gallon hot tap water to the primary fermenter, sprinkled bentonite on top.
Added contents of grape juice bag. Rinsed it with warm water and added to fermenter. Topped up to 5.5 gallons. Kit calls for 6 gallons, but I typically do 5.5. Stirred for 4 minutes with powered stirring rod, reversing direction every 30 seconds. Sprinkled yeast on top. |
10/19/2018 SG 1.084 |
| Racked into carboy. | 10/25/2018 SG 1.002 |
| Racked. Stirred for 4 minutes, reversing direction every 30 seconds.
Added sulfite and sorbate. Stirred 1 minute. Added kieselsol, stirred 1 minute. Added chitosan, stirred 1 minute. |
11/04/2018 SG 0.996 |
| Racked. There was sufficient buildup of sediment that I wanted it gone. Added 1/4 tsp potassium metabisulfite.
I was surprised the SG dropped since the last racking, although the difference may be temperature related. |
11/12/2018 SG 0.994 |
| Added 1/4 tsp Kmeta. Bottled. | 11/24/2018 SG 0.994 |
Notes
| Yield | 26 bottles |
| Alcohol | 12.2% |
| 11/24/2018 | This wine tasted clean and crisp at bottling. Obviously green, I have high hopes for it at the 1 year mark. It sort of reminds of a Soave … which is made from Gargenega. I need to see if the grapes are related. |
| 02/29/2020 | At nearly 1.5 years old, the wine is losing it’s crispness and mellowing very nicely. This wine appears to be one that changes throughout its lifespan. Crisp and Vouvray-like when young, mellower as it ages. I should probably make this kit every springs so I’ll have a selection of ages to choose from. |
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