iMP

I have never tried it, but it may worth the while trying a small batch of Hard lemonade.  Apparently it's quite popular in Summer time.  See post#177 of http://www.sinoquebec.com/bbs/showthread.php?476692

iMP

I'm surprised to hear no wine kits @ Bridge!  I'm not sure about Central Market/Laval/East End, whoever know please reconfirms.

For sure: St Jean in West Island, Brossard, Boucherville.

Post by jeanpaul2007;3307974
今天去BRIDGE的costco, 没有wine kits, 他们说很久不卖了， 请问大家哪个costco 有wine kits？

iMP

Both Argentia Ridge and Paklab kits from Costco are not worth $50+tax EACH.(I can't find the Costco posting, price written there) I ONLY highly recommend them when they are at $3x, tax in.  At $50+tax, u're better off buying the regular kit(=table wine quality) ~$65-$85+tax from one of the below:
- http://www.winexpert.com, or
- http://www.rjscraftwinemaking.com/

If u prefer lower price kits, I only know 2 stores in South Shore that sells Paklab for ~$35-$40+tax(Single kit, not duo).  Can't remember name right now.  Anyone remember?  
- WineExpert: Atelier Bière Et Vin 1972 Chemin Chambly, Longueuil, atelier-biere-vin.com, (same pdt. line Costco sells)
- RJS:LA GOUTTE DE VIN - 5645 BOUL. GRAND-ALLEE #80, BROSSARD, Email: info@lagouttedevin.com (Vino Italiano+ a small kit starts with S)
- RJS: L'UNIVERS DU VRAC - 103, BOUL.PERROT, ÎLE PERROT, QC, J7V 3G2, 514-453-0538, luniversduvrac@gmail.com carries smaller kits from RJS.

Else, www.mostimondiale.com store on Jean Talon east offers many options with wide price range.  If u choose this store, only buy the cheap option.  Their wine kit . . . . . I either buy the low low end . . . . or their top top end (for Port kit, they are the best, over $100 for 11.5L)

We bought 8 Vino Italiano 1.5 months ago, @~$28.74 tax included.  Free gifts of 2 bottles of gourmet vinegar and 2 cheap wine openers.
http://www.sinoquebec.com/bbs/showthread.php?802983

iMP

That's good price, congratulation!!

Can u give us exact price charged and upload picture of kits(if not, tell me the brand and some details)?  Thanks in advance!

iMP

Post by 冬果儿;2537812
伤眼睛。放久一些甲醇没了就好了。诸位可以搜搜看。

抱歉耽搁，已经是3年了！那年我在网上搜索这个主题，所有的化学术语和组成 。 。 。嗬嗬！现在想想也觉晕 :p
1.  基本上，类似韩国泡菜/朝鲜辣白菜 的亚硝酸盐巴？！
2.  加拿大实际统计: 大部分销售的是廉价wine kits + 大部分是由代酿做的 + 大部分人灌酒后马上喝; 故我们有一个流行术语 Trunk Drinker （行李箱酒徒）。
（意思就是新灌好的酒，刚刚放到汽车行李箱，尚未开车回家，马上开始饮。）(Americans mainly buy expensive KITS, as they can buy wine @ $2/750ml bottle)

我在加拿大酿葡萄酒XX年了，从来没有听过甲醇中毒，也很少人讨论(甲醇)。此外，Wine kit 制造商比我更担心，如果有什么事情发生，他们会被起诉的。甲醇/乙醇，晕哦晕!

Post by april6;1456446
对了，看大家吃泡菜吃的这么兴奋头上，我也提醒一下小心亚硝酸盐中毒。
所以泡完菜的前72小时可以吃，接着会升高，30天后毒性会逐渐减弱，大家一定要注意哦

Post by april6;1458402
所以人家都是用泡菜坛子来封存的啊:wink: ，超过30天后毒性就降低了，我也只是说说稍微注意一下，楼上的不要这么激动嘛
请看衔接 http://env.people.com.cn/GB/1075/42110/4465629.html

iMP

Thank u very much for the picture+price.
- your box is IDENTICAL to what they sell on the web.  POSSIBILITY(only) in getting 25% off if buy 4 duo, I'm not sure any more.
-  age in quiet+dark+cold (ideally ~11-14C) place is a lot BETTER than room temperature;
-  ***** is OAK packs included the kits(1 pack/kit)?  Have u started yet?  If not, spend ~$1.5-$3/40-60 grams to buy oak chip/shaving to add to wine kit.  It MAY make a big difference in taste.  French Toasted tastes ~2X stronger than American Toasted. *****
-  if u haven't started, decrease water by 1-2 bottle, i.e. make 28-29 bottle, NOT 30/31. (i.e. only ~1/2-1" above shoulder of carboy)

This Borolo/Cab. is their feature promotion for this road show for Eastern Canada which ended on 22/9, believe u got it at the discounted price.  Regular line up is Merlot/Cab.  Believe this combination will be discontinued after stock finish.  Unfortunately both are a lot better with aging, but as long as u like the taste, it doesn't matter what everyone else think.  More details/description of the 2 varietals at http://www.mywinemonvin.com/vino-europa/barolo-cabernet-sauvignon (read this, u can make 3 diff. tasting wines)

The old Vino Europa WINES were drinkable even after 2 years if u keep them in cold basement (not the Argentia Ridge).  Normally they print manufacture date on Nutrition label, mostly stick at the bottom of the box.  Add 12 months to manufacture date, that's your KIT's best before date.  Believe they changed their packing+recipe 6-12 months ago, oak pack was removed when they 1st changed.  I don't know the new taste.  Is it 8.1L or 9.1L printed on your box?  Personally, I don't drink Borolo less than 1 year, never like Cab. too fruity for me.

See if u want to keep record of your wine making, e.g. date/temp/S.G., do write down the super long funny code printed on the juice bag.  More or less your guarantee from manufacturer.  Once or twice, I got replacement kit from Paklab.

If u want to exchange wines to taste other varietals/company . . . . . I'll be busy till end of year . . . some friends' AR Shiraz/Cab will not be made till next summer . . . . we'll see . . . .

Next fall/winter, I'm interested in sharing Vino Europa(please contact me before buying):
- Syrah/Zinfandel (I only want Syrah),
- Chardonnay/Semillon (I only want Semillon)

iMP

U're confirming that there's no Oak pack in your wine?!  Sunday is yesterday.  Fermentation normally only start after ~24 hours.  If it's not much trouble, buy a pack from wine making supply store and add it ASAP.  Then give your must(=juice+water) a quick stir(don't worry about the foam, just make sure u disinfect your spoon), initially oak chip/shavings will flow but it'll sink to bottom by itself.  ELSE, u can add oak after wine is DONE.  But by doing so:
- ~40 grams would be sufficient,
- u need to stir the wine, about once a day for few days,
- u can leave oak inside the carboy for 1-3 weeks, it'll sink to bottom.  Then u can bottle.
- taste of oak is harsher, will take a bit longer for oak taste to mellow.

Alternatively, if u don't add oak, wine is bit lighter.  Your choice.

* I'm not 100% sure about prices, sort of $1-$1.5/30-40 grams US Oak, ~$2-2.5/30-40 gm. French Oak. May be~$10-15 per pound.
** Personally, I like oak taste, I double oak(~60-100 gm. total) whenever I could in primary fermentor.  However, that quantity would be too harsh if added to finished wine.
*** there are 2 varietals in your box.  Name of varietal (=flavor) is printed on your juice bag.

iMP

Water:  Manufacturers recommend using distilled/mineral water.  Tap water has Fluoride and Salt.  Leave tap water out for 24 hours, fluoride will evaporate automatically, then only difference CHEMICALLY speaking is only few extra grains of salt.  Written few years ago, posting was deleted, I can't find time yet to rebuild. (some people CLAIM they can taste the difference in wine making from diff. type of water)

Storage:  Wine stored in cold cellar turnout better than those stored in room temperature.  However, flutuation in temp is not good for storage.  Your proposed method for your house (I assume) could be dangerous, u don't want to take any chance in freezing your water pipe(extremely detrimental and costly).  Outdoor air could go down to -2XC in winter, don't take any chance.  Just store your wine in darkness + where-ever coolest + without disturbance in your house.

Once upon a time, I left my wine in entrance porch which was not heated.  After winter, the corks pop out may be 3/4 inches.  Some years, I store my wine in friend's unheated crawl-in basement(~4 or 5 feet high) without problem.  Now I don't bother, just leave wine in room temp.

iMP

At last, the south shore store holds its once a year event again.  Coffee n Donut, discount on "everything", + "surprise".  I don't know if webmaster would consider this as advertisement, hence not putting all info nor full address here.

Anyone has car n driving from Montreal, I'd appreciate a ride, please PM me.  I suggest taking Papineau bridge as store is in Boucherville J4B 7K1.

iMP

nobody interest?