Racked the Vine&Co Merlot. Tastes stronger than the previous wines.

After drinking the previous wines, some observations.

• The wines improve over several weeks, so it's worth building up a stock.
• I think in terms of preference we would go Malbec > Cabernet > Rojo
• Leaving the wine to work two weeks instead of one made the third wine drier and better. The wine was probably the best except for the peppery flavour from the grape variety.

It's time to buy a third vat to make more than one at a time!

 Racked the Cellar7 Rojo, specific gravity 0.994 (1.080 - 0.994)/7.36 = 11.7%

Leaving for two weeks has resulted in a dryer wine which is better. This wine tastes better at this stage than either of the previous two. I'm curious about the impact of the stabilizing and fining on the flavour.

So far we are preferring the first Cellar7 over the Solomon Grundy.

Started the VineCo Chilean Merlot. Quite a bot more complex, specific gravity 1.094, so a bit stronger (1.094 - 1)/7.36 = 11.4%. Interesting that the kit includes oak chips and bentonite. Also interesting that every stage takes longer. It would be interesting to try a cheaper kit with the time scales given for this kit!

The must stays in the vat for four weeks instead of one so it is going to be quite a bit slower. Perhaps I need to buy a third vat!

 The wine is still working. I guess because it is a bit cooler. It will have to wait until next Friday now.

I made up some sour cherry gin today with some cherries from Claire. 

 Started off third batch. Another Cellar7, Spanish Rojo this time. I've ordered a couple of more kits; better quality for around £50, hopefully these will be nicer.

Specific gravity was 1.080 this time so this should make a stronger wine. 80/7.36 = 10.9%

Started a spreadsheet to make this easier. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ysp2vGHZ7V30oT_0bBycq9U7bx4pvLkRmJ-VU5afbyk/edit?usp=sharing

 Racked the second batch of wine. This tastes quite a bit better than the Cellar7 which is very thin. Both very dry. Specific gravity just below zero.

The manual for the hydrometer https://sr-hb.com/InstructionsS1011.pdf says 10% alcohol.

This batch tastes more promising!

 Tested the specific gravity: 1.0 of the Cellar7. The wine tastes very dry.

Racked the wine into the second container. 

Received my second order from the Home Brew Shop.

Items	Qty	Price
10 ltr Wine Dispenser / Bag in Box SKU: 101902	4	£17.40
5 ltr Wine Dispenser / Bag in Box SKU: 101107	1	£4.45
SG Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Kit - Solomon Grundy SKU: 2058	1	£26.55
5 ltr jug SKU: 100744 - 5019	1	£8.30
Cellar 7 Spanish Rojo Wine Kit SKU: 1790	1	£28.65
Earned		85 points
Subtotal		£85.35
Shipping & Handling		£0.00
VAT		£17.07
Grand Total		£102.42

What is still missing is something to the stand the container on. I need something about 45cm high. I'm using a plant pot stand for now.

Started off the second batch, the Solomon Grundy Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Kit. Took the initial specific gravity test, around 74. Quite hard to read due to bubbles. Interesting that this set of instructions said not to stir in the yeast.

 Another go at wine making

Youngs cellar7 Malbec 22.5 litres

Made up according to instructions!

I bought a starter kit from The Home Brew Shop

Items	Qty	Price
5 ltr Wine Dispenser / Bag in Box SKU: 101107	1	£4.45
Basic Fermenting Equipment Starter Kit 5 Gallons SKU: Start1	1	£41.00
Cellar 7 Malbec Wine Kit SKU: 1791	1	£28.65
Subtotal		£74.10
Shipping & Handling		£0.00
VAT		£14.82
Grand Total		£88.92

30 bottles for £88.92. Next time for £30-£40, so about £1 per bottle