"Mark Garwatoski" > wrote in message r.com>...
> This brings me to part two. Accoring to my directions I am not to top up at
> the first racking but I am supposed to at the second, with water. I've read
> that it is better to top up with a similar wine rather than water. The folks
> at my LHBS told me that water is fine because the kit is actually ment to
> make 6.5 gallons. I think with what I've read about reds that I'd rather
> just throw in a $6 bottle of merlot each time. Might add some quality to the
> finished product. Is it true that the BK select kits are "supposed" to make
> 6.5 gallons and water is fine? I got a bottle of Merlot as well as another
> gallon of bottles drinking water.
>

The kits are designed to make 6 gals, not 6.5. According to Tim
Vandergrift, who made the kit, they will accommodate topping up with
water at the second racking up to about 1L max. with no detrimental
effects.

Pp