I really like a the Shiraz Cabernet from Jacobs creek. I would like
to do a similar concept with kits. I wanted to do a 50/50 blend with
a Cabernet Sav and a Shiraz kit.

When you blend, do you do it before it ferements? During? Or at
bottling?

You can do it any way you want. I grow grapes and sometimes mix different
red grapes before fermentation to help with obtaining better pH and %TA
numbers. But, you have more flexibility by blending finished wines when it
come to flavor. If you do blend after fermentation be sure to let the
blended wine bulk age for a while. It's possible the blended wine will
develope a haze or precipitate solids even tho. the wines were perfectely
clear before blending.

Bill Frazier
Olathe, Kansas USA

"Rob M" wrote in message
om...
I really like a the Shiraz Cabernet from Jacobs creek. I would like
to do a similar concept with kits. I wanted to do a 50/50 blend with
a Cabernet Sav and a Shiraz kit.

When you blend, do you do it before it ferements? During? Or at
bottling?

You can do it any way you want. I grow grapes and sometimes mix different
red grapes before fermentation to help with obtaining better pH and %TA
numbers. But, you have more flexibility by blending finished wines when it
come to flavor. If you do blend after fermentation be sure to let the
blended wine bulk age for a while. It's possible the blended wine will
develope a haze or precipitate solids even tho. the wines were perfectely
clear before blending.

Bill Frazier
Olathe, Kansas USA

"Rob M" wrote in message
om...
I really like a the Shiraz Cabernet from Jacobs creek. I would like
to do a similar concept with kits. I wanted to do a 50/50 blend with
a Cabernet Sav and a Shiraz kit.

When you blend, do you do it before it ferements? During? Or at
bottling?

"Rob M" wrote in message
om...
I really like a the Shiraz Cabernet from Jacobs creek. I would like
to do a similar concept with kits. I wanted to do a 50/50 blend with
a Cabernet Sav and a Shiraz kit.

When you blend, do you do it before it ferements? During? Or at
bottling?

Traditionally, you ferment the grapes first and then blend the finished
wine. There are two reasons for this that come to mind. First, different
grapes usually reach peak for picking at different times. You cannot keep
tons of grapes around waiting for another grape to come in. So they make
each and then blend later.

Another reason would be because you can blend and taste to determine the
optimal blend if they are made separately.

But the first reason is not applicable for kits and I see no reason not to
blend first if you are not going to worry about optimal blend. It would
certainly be easier.

Ray

"Rob M" wrote in message
om...
I really like a the Shiraz Cabernet from Jacobs creek. I would like
to do a similar concept with kits. I wanted to do a 50/50 blend with
a Cabernet Sav and a Shiraz kit.

When you blend, do you do it before it ferements? During? Or at
bottling?

Traditionally, you ferment the grapes first and then blend the finished
wine. There are two reasons for this that come to mind. First, different
grapes usually reach peak for picking at different times. You cannot keep
tons of grapes around waiting for another grape to come in. So they make
each and then blend later.

Another reason would be because you can blend and taste to determine the
optimal blend if they are made separately.

But the first reason is not applicable for kits and I see no reason not to
blend first if you are not going to worry about optimal blend. It would
certainly be easier.

Ray

"Rob M" wrote in message
om...
I really like a the Shiraz Cabernet from Jacobs creek. I would like
to do a similar concept with kits. I wanted to do a 50/50 blend with
a Cabernet Sav and a Shiraz kit.

When you blend, do you do it before it ferements? During? Or at
bottling?

Traditionally, you ferment the grapes first and then blend the finished
wine. There are two reasons for this that come to mind. First, different
grapes usually reach peak for picking at different times. You cannot keep
tons of grapes around waiting for another grape to come in. So they make
each and then blend later.

Another reason would be because you can blend and taste to determine the
optimal blend if they are made separately.

But the first reason is not applicable for kits and I see no reason not to
blend first if you are not going to worry about optimal blend. It would
certainly be easier.

Ray

Of course, there's nothing wrong with what you are suggesting, but you
could also buy a Cabernet-Shiraz Kit.

Not sure where you live, so I don't know what's easy for you to find,
but off the top of my head....

Vineco makes an Australian Cab Shiraz in their Ken Ridge Showcase
6-week line, and a "origin not-specified" in their 6-week Bin 49.

Spagnols has a 4-week Vino del Vida Cab Shiraz, and a 6-week Cellar
Classic.

Spagnols also has a Cru Select Platinum Australian Cab-Shiraz-Merlot,
that is very nice. (The only Cab Shiraz that I've made - it's a bit
rich for my tastes - but one friend likes it so much he's talking
about making a batch for himself.)

I don't know the other kit companies line-ups very well, but I imagine
that they also have a Cab Shiraz buried somewhere.

Steve


On 18 Dec 2004 06:32:27 -0800, (Rob M) wrote:

I really like a the Shiraz Cabernet from Jacobs creek. I would like
to do a similar concept with kits. I wanted to do a 50/50 blend with
a Cabernet Sav and a Shiraz kit.

When you blend, do you do it before it ferements? During? Or at
bottling?