I think I'm getting close to taking the plunge. I've seen many
equipment kits on the internet. Any recommendations? I guess I'm
just as interested in a quality supplier as I am a quality kit. I
don't mind spending up to $200 to get started. Though from what I've
seen, it doesn't look like it will cost that much. Seems like most
folks like the glass carbouys so I'll probably go that route. I'm
also interested in small, wood barrels. Of course, that can come
later.

Also, what is a good first-timer wine kit (red). I like cabs, merlots
and such-- typically failry dry and not too sweet. I've seen the 28
day kits, but am a little skeptical. It would be nice to get one or
two batches in for practice that didn't take too long to complete. It
would be a huge let down to make, ferment and bottle over the course
of a year, only to discover my wine tastes like dog doo-doo. I would
also like for each of these first batches to be small, ten bottles or
less if that's possible. I don't want a glut of mediocre wine. I
just want enough to wet my whistle (pun intended).

Jack wrote;
"I guess I'm just as interested in a quality supplier as I am a quality kit.
I
> don't mind spending up to $200 to get started. Though from what I've
> seen, it doesn't look like it will cost that much."
~Do you live near a homebrew/winemaking shop? Go there and discuss what you
need. You can touch and feel the equipment. Better IMO that buying sight
unseen.

"Also, what is a good first-timer wine kit (red). I like cabs, merlots
> and such-- typically failry dry and not too sweet."
~Brewking makes cab/merlot blends I believe. Buy one of those and follow
the instructions closely. Don't count on the wine being fit to drink in 28
days. If you want it to taste good plan on 6 months at least.

"I would also like for each of these first batches to be small, ten bottles
or
> less if that's possible. I don't want a glut of mediocre wine. I
> just want enough to wet my whistle (pun intended)."
~Buy an expensive kit. Make the kit as instructed. Give it some time. The
wine will be good. If you try to make small volumes of wine there is a
greater chance for the wine to become oxidized somewhere in the process and
you will be disappointed.

Best advice...once the wine is in a carboy keep it topped up to within 1/2
inch of the air lock.

Good luck.

Bill Frazier
Olathe, Kansas

(Jack) wrote in message . com>...
> I think I'm getting close to taking the plunge. I've seen many
> equipment kits on the internet. Any recommendations? I guess I'm
> just as interested in a quality supplier as I am a quality kit. I
> don't mind spending up to $200 to get started. Though from what I've
> seen, it doesn't look like it will cost that much. Seems like most
> folks like the glass carbouys so I'll probably go that route. I'm
> also interested in small, wood barrels. Of course, that can come
> later.
>
> Also, what is a good first-timer wine kit (red). I like cabs, merlots
> and such-- typically failry dry and not too sweet. I've seen the 28
> day kits, but am a little skeptical. It would be nice to get one or
> two batches in for practice that didn't take too long to complete. It
> would be a huge let down to make, ferment and bottle over the course
> of a year, only to discover my wine tastes like dog doo-doo. I would
> also like for each of these first batches to be small, ten bottles or
> less if that's possible. I don't want a glut of mediocre wine. I
> just want enough to wet my whistle (pun intended).

I really would suggest going to the top of this page where it says
"google search" and type in "first time red wine kit." Then click on
the bullet next to rec.crafts.winemaking and hit "search." You'll get
more responses than you can possibly read. Any time I have a question
about my winemaking I always check the archives first, and invariably
I find the answer I need. Good luck!

Kim

> I really would suggest going to the top of this page where it says
> "google search" and type in "first time red wine kit." Then click on
> the bullet next to rec.crafts.winemaking and hit "search." You'll get
> more responses than you can possibly read. Any time I have a question
> about my winemaking I always check the archives first, and invariably
> I find the answer I need. Good luck!


Actually, I tried that and got several hits, but not really what I was
looking for. However, I didn't use those exact words. In fact, I
couldn't decide what words were best to use. I'll try your
suggestion.

Most wine hardware kits have the basics for what you need and quality is not
a major issue as most of the stuff is standard. If you are buying it at a
local shop and you have already decided you are going to get serious you may
talk him into changing the cheaper hand corker for a good floor corker. If
you continue, you will eventually do this anyway. I would also suggest a
second carboy. Get one 5 and one 6 gal size. It is handy to rack from a
bigger to a smaller. While you are at it you might get some 1/2 gal sizes.
You can probably find some 1 gal sizes that are free. The larger variety of
carboy sizes you have, the less you will have to water your wine when
topping up. And get some extra airlocks and bungs to fit. You will still
be way under $200 in equipment. Probably down around $125-150.

For the wine kit, I would suggest you get the medium to high quality kits.
These are $70-80 for good quality or $90-110 for highest quality. If you
start with a good quality kit and follow instructions it will turn out good.
Some of the whites are very drinkable at 2 months which is nice for a
beginner. Reds should be aged longer. I have not had great luck with kit
reds and make my red from scratch. But the white kits I have tried are
great. Some others may give you some good advise on reds.

Ray

"Jack" > wrote in message
om...
> I think I'm getting close to taking the plunge. I've seen many
> equipment kits on the internet. Any recommendations? I guess I'm
> just as interested in a quality supplier as I am a quality kit. I
> don't mind spending up to $200 to get started. Though from what I've
> seen, it doesn't look like it will cost that much. Seems like most
> folks like the glass carbouys so I'll probably go that route. I'm
> also interested in small, wood barrels. Of course, that can come
> later.
>
> Also, what is a good first-timer wine kit (red). I like cabs, merlots
> and such-- typically failry dry and not too sweet. I've seen the 28
> day kits, but am a little skeptical. It would be nice to get one or
> two batches in for practice that didn't take too long to complete. It
> would be a huge let down to make, ferment and bottle over the course
> of a year, only to discover my wine tastes like dog doo-doo. I would
> also like for each of these first batches to be small, ten bottles or
> less if that's possible. I don't want a glut of mediocre wine. I
> just want enough to wet my whistle (pun intended).

best advise is to look at the archives and also visit a local Homebrew Shop
for good advice.
it would seem that you can afford to go for a reasonable amount of equipment
but don't go over the top.
A couple of my opinions
1 Do go for a top of the range kit like Brew King Selection.
2. That means inevitably that it will be a kit which makes up to 23 Litres
(5 gals Imp, 6 Gals US ) but that is better than just buying a 1 gallon
kit.And it takes just as much effort to make 1 gallon as it does 5 gallons.
3.Don't go mad on your purchases of equipment until you are happy to be
doing it. Your home brew shop will lend/hire you a floor corker when it
comes to bottling time.
4. Do follow the instructions that come with the kit the first few times
until you glean a lot more info by reading about it ( on here and in books).
5. For a good kit red wine you do need to be in the top of the range of kits
and you do need to "bulk age" for about 6 months --- but with your first kit
start drinking it after a month of aging --- that is a month after the kit
instructions say it is ready to drink. It will have made a lot of difference
even with just a month.White wines kits produces generally "better" results
within any price range. But I bet you will enjoy your first home made
wine -- it will be the best you ever make. So as soon as you can, start your
second kit so that you can bulk age it for longer -- you will be amazed how
different it is after more aging.
6. If you have read my comments on red kit wines before you will see I am a
bit critical but I make twice as much red wine as white and am only critical
cos I strive for the best results. Occasionally, out of the blue I get an
excellent result out of something that I thought would be "run of the mill".
A case in point I bought a £22 kit of SolVino Tempranillo. It came in a can
and I expected to use it for cooking and slurping! I actually forgot about
it during its bulk aging and it sat for a year. I bottled it in November and
when I tried it just before Christmas when I was cooking I was so surprised.
It had all the body, fruit and tannin of a much more expensive wine -- I
immediately withdrew it from my "fit for non wine drinkers" list and put it
on my reserve stock. I now have to try and keep my fingers off it for a
while longer cos I can't buy that kit any more -- it has been
withdrawn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Any way, Welcome and Good luck!


--
Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire, England
Remove "PSANTISPAM" from my address line to reply.
All outgoing mail is scanned by Norton
Anti Virus for your protection too!
"Jack" > wrote in message
om...
> I think I'm getting close to taking the plunge. I've seen many
> equipment kits on the internet. Any recommendations? I guess I'm
> just as interested in a quality supplier as I am a quality kit. I
> don't mind spending up to $200 to get started. Though from what I've
> seen, it doesn't look like it will cost that much. Seems like most
> folks like the glass carbouys so I'll probably go that route. I'm
> also interested in small, wood barrels. Of course, that can come
> later.
>
> Also, what is a good first-timer wine kit (red). I like cabs, merlots
> and such-- typically failry dry and not too sweet. I've seen the 28
> day kits, but am a little skeptical. It would be nice to get one or
> two batches in for practice that didn't take too long to complete. It
> would be a huge let down to make, ferment and bottle over the course
> of a year, only to discover my wine tastes like dog doo-doo. I would
> also like for each of these first batches to be small, ten bottles or
> less if that's possible. I don't want a glut of mediocre wine. I
> just want enough to wet my whistle (pun intended).

I agree with Mr. Ray's post.

Let your wallet be your guide on both the equipment and the kit.

Basic equipment should run around $50

Brew King has 50 -60- 100 dollar kits and up.


BASIC Kit:
Plastic Pail
Hygrometer
Car boy(s) one 6 gallon 1 5 gallon
Car boy washing brush
raking cane/ tubing clamp
bottling dealie (about $3)
Air lock(s)

Options:
Floor COrker

Most important thing:

TAKE THE PLUNGE!

Good Luck,


--
KB





"Pinky" > wrote in message
...
> best advise is to look at the archives and also visit a local Homebrew
Shop
> for good advice.
> it would seem that you can afford to go for a reasonable amount of
equipment
> but don't go over the top.
> A couple of my opinions
> 1 Do go for a top of the range kit like Brew King Selection.
> 2. That means inevitably that it will be a kit which makes up to 23 Litres
> (5 gals Imp, 6 Gals US ) but that is better than just buying a 1 gallon
> kit.And it takes just as much effort to make 1 gallon as it does 5
gallons.
> 3.Don't go mad on your purchases of equipment until you are happy to be
> doing it. Your home brew shop will lend/hire you a floor corker when it
> comes to bottling time.
> 4. Do follow the instructions that come with the kit the first few times
> until you glean a lot more info by reading about it ( on here and in
books).
> 5. For a good kit red wine you do need to be in the top of the range of
kits
> and you do need to "bulk age" for about 6 months --- but with your first
kit
> start drinking it after a month of aging --- that is a month after the
kit
> instructions say it is ready to drink. It will have made a lot of
difference
> even with just a month.White wines kits produces generally "better"
results
> within any price range. But I bet you will enjoy your first home made
> wine -- it will be the best you ever make. So as soon as you can, start
your
> second kit so that you can bulk age it for longer -- you will be amazed
how
> different it is after more aging.
> 6. If you have read my comments on red kit wines before you will see I am
a
> bit critical but I make twice as much red wine as white and am only
critical
> cos I strive for the best results. Occasionally, out of the blue I get an
> excellent result out of something that I thought would be "run of the
mill".
> A case in point I bought a £22 kit of SolVino Tempranillo. It came in a
can
> and I expected to use it for cooking and slurping! I actually forgot about
> it during its bulk aging and it sat for a year. I bottled it in November
and
> when I tried it just before Christmas when I was cooking I was so
surprised.
> It had all the body, fruit and tannin of a much more expensive wine -- I
> immediately withdrew it from my "fit for non wine drinkers" list and put
it
> on my reserve stock. I now have to try and keep my fingers off it for a
> while longer cos I can't buy that kit any more -- it has been
> withdrawn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
>
> Any way, Welcome and Good luck!
>
>
> --
> Trevor A Panther
> In South Yorkshire, England
> Remove "PSANTISPAM" from my address line to reply.
> All outgoing mail is scanned by Norton
> Anti Virus for your protection too!
> "Jack" > wrote in message
> om...
> > I think I'm getting close to taking the plunge. I've seen many
> > equipment kits on the internet. Any recommendations? I guess I'm
> > just as interested in a quality supplier as I am a quality kit. I
> > don't mind spending up to $200 to get started. Though from what I've
> > seen, it doesn't look like it will cost that much. Seems like most
> > folks like the glass carbouys so I'll probably go that route. I'm
> > also interested in small, wood barrels. Of course, that can come
> > later.
> >
> > Also, what is a good first-timer wine kit (red). I like cabs, merlots
> > and such-- typically failry dry and not too sweet. I've seen the 28
> > day kits, but am a little skeptical. It would be nice to get one or
> > two batches in for practice that didn't take too long to complete. It
> > would be a huge let down to make, ferment and bottle over the course
> > of a year, only to discover my wine tastes like dog doo-doo. I would
> > also like for each of these first batches to be small, ten bottles or
> > less if that's possible. I don't want a glut of mediocre wine. I
> > just want enough to wet my whistle (pun intended).
>
>