Does anyone have any comments on this kit? I am picking a couple
Cabernet Sauvignon's tonight to try. Price is good, so I thought I
would try.

Do they compare favorably to the Grand Cru line from Spagnols? They
seem to be priced similarly. I like the idea that the fresh juice
kits have the yeast right in them. Just warm them up and they start
to ferment.

Rob

If you are referring to the fresh juice then yes. I have a Riesling and so
far I can not complain, this is the first time I have used them. Just in
case you are not aware, fiesta is really Magnota (sp?).

Just to let you know, since the juice has been in cold stored for about 7
months or so you can expect that they will have an alcohol content of about
5-7 already. which will mess you up if you are trying to control the sugar
and alcohol content of the wine. Since I use my grandfathers methods of
very clean, but not sterilized, containers and no chemicals of any kind,
just 100% juice it does not bother me. For you, it might be a bit of a
problem.

Keep me posted if you don't mind and I hope this helps,

Rob A of Hamilton



Rob M wrote:

> Does anyone have any comments on this kit? I am picking a couple
> Cabernet Sauvignon's tonight to try. Price is good, so I thought I
> would try.
>
> Do they compare favorably to the Grand Cru line from Spagnols? They
> seem to be priced similarly. I like the idea that the fresh juice
> kits have the yeast right in them. Just warm them up and they start
> to ferment.
>
> Rob

If you are referring to the fresh juice then yes. I have a Riesling and so
far I can not complain, this is the first time I have used them. Just in
case you are not aware, fiesta is really Magnota (sp?).

Just to let you know, since the juice has been in cold stored for about 7
months or so you can expect that they will have an alcohol content of about
5-7 already. which will mess you up if you are trying to control the sugar
and alcohol content of the wine. Since I use my grandfathers methods of
very clean, but not sterilized, containers and no chemicals of any kind,
just 100% juice it does not bother me. For you, it might be a bit of a
problem.

Keep me posted if you don't mind and I hope this helps,

Rob A of Hamilton



Rob M wrote:

> Does anyone have any comments on this kit? I am picking a couple
> Cabernet Sauvignon's tonight to try. Price is good, so I thought I
> would try.
>
> Do they compare favorably to the Grand Cru line from Spagnols? They
> seem to be priced similarly. I like the idea that the fresh juice
> kits have the yeast right in them. Just warm them up and they start
> to ferment.
>
> Rob

>
> Keep me posted if you don't mind and I hope this helps,
>
I will. I ended up reading your post to late and found the OG a
little low so I added 1KG of sugar to each kit to bring it up to 1092.
If it is already at 5 to 7 percent then I will have some serious
stuff.

I decided to get a Shiraz as well as the Cab. They let me taste what
they had at the bar that was similar.

I liked the Shiraz better but only time will tell.

The lady told me it was 100% juice but the bucket says it "may"
contain concentrate. HMMM.

Rob M Scarborough

>decided to get a Shiraz as well as the Cab. They let me taste what
>they had at the bar that was similar.
>
>I liked the Shiraz better but only time will tell.
>
>The lady told me it was 100% juice but the bucket says it "may"
>contain concentrate. HMMM.
>

I think from earlier discussions, Magnotta (Festa) does contain concnetrate.
Some have suggested it is simply concentrated with water already added. My
only experiment with similar product was Vinbon Juice, and that like Festa has
the yeast added. Results were poor, but maybe I got a "bad batch".

Does Festa not come in 21 litre kits? That kind of screws me up as almost all
my carboys are for 23 litres/