Thanks for the info. How important is it to top off when racking? I don't
have any wine to top off with and it seems your just diluting it if you add
water which can't be good. I have 6gal carboys I plan to use and purge with
CO2 prior to any racking and I can also purge after racking and adding the
airlock. I also thought about using marble to bring the volume up to the top
of the carboy.

Mark

"K. B." > wrote in message
. ..
>
> "Adam Lang" > wrote in message
> ...
> > The brew king kits typically are a 4-6 week turn around, according to
> > instructions.
> >
> > "Mark Garwatoski" > wrote in message
> > news
> > > Hello,
> > >
> > > I have been making beer for over 10yrs and mead for about two. My
father
> > has
> > > been harassing me to make a batch of Merlot. I think I'm about to
> finally
> > > break down and get a Brew King Select kit and get it started. I plan
to
> > make
> > > it per the instructions for the first time and rack onto marbles to
> yield
> > a
> > > low headspace after racking.
> > >
> > > Is it to late to start a kit and still be in bottles by xmas? I don't
> mind
> > > telling him to let it age 3-6 months in the bottle. I basically have
no
> > idea
> > > how long wine takes but I make meads and Lambics that I make and
forget
> > > about for 12-18months so I know the drill and can wait if needed.
> > >
> > > Is the yeast provided adequate or should I use a liquid strain?
> > >
> > > Thanks for any input,
> > >
> > > Mark
> > >
>
>
> IMHO, Christmas should be fine. If you start in June, bottle in September
> you will have 90 days in the bottle. Longer is better but 90 days will
> suffice (I've made about 20 brew king kits).
>
> The supplied yeast is fine too IMO. You might consider adding some oak to
> your primary if you like an oaky flavor and/or add some tannin. Also,
there
> is a range of SG to which you dilute with water. Dilute to the high end
> (less water) for a better result (in fact, I have reduced the water to
5.75
> US gallons total volume with good results).
>
> Good Luck,
> --
> KB
>
>