Solomon Grundy 6 Bottle Kit Instructions

PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE STARTING

  • Make sure all your equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sterilised before starting.
  • Use a good home brew steriliser, sterilising instructions are given on the tub.
  • We recommend that you use a plastic fermenting container instead of the traditional glass version, which may crack if shaken under pressure.
  • If you wish to use a glass fermenting container, do not shake under pressure.
  • Make sure your container is marked at 4.6 litre before starting, you will need this later.

STARTING FERMENTATION

  • Using a plastic funnel (if possible) pour 2 Litres (3 1/2 pints) of cold water, between 600gm and 770g of sugar (using 600gms will produce 10.5% Alcohol by Volume, 770gms will produce 12.5% Alcohol by Volume) and the large container of concentrate into a clean fermenting container.
  • Then add 1.2 Litres (2 pints) of hot (not boiling) water and shake the fermenting container until the sugar is fully dissolved.
  • Top up to 4.6 Litres (just over 1 gallon) with cold water, then add the sachets of wine yeast, acid regulator and nutrient.
  • Shake well, then fit bung and airlock (half fill with cold water).
  • Transfer the fermenting container somewhere warm between 21-26º C to ferment.
  • Fermentation will be complete in 5 days, providing the correct temperature is maintained.

WHAT TO DO AT THE END OF FERMENTATION

  • You must have a hydrometer if you want to make your wine in 7 days. If the hydrometer reads below 995 then add the sachet of stabiliser (this will give off gas - do not inhale).
    If making the Medium Sweet White table wine, you should also add the sweetener sachet.

  • Shake vigorously several times over the next two hours. This will remove all the carbon dioxide gases which are present in the wine. This should be done for several minutes at a time. Once degassed, add the add back sachet. Shake well. Now add the Kieselsol sachet and shake for 10 seconds, then leave to stand for 12-24 hours.

WHAT TO DO 12-24 HOURS LATER

  • Add the sachet of chitosan, swirl the fermentation container gently for 10 seconds.
  • Now leave somewhere cool to clear, this will normally take 1-2 days but wait until completely bright before continuing otherwise a slight sediment may settle in your bottles.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR WINE IS CLEAR

  • Carefully syphon the clear wine into another clean demijohn or container, taking care not to disturb the sediment.
  • Now add the amount of sugar according to the information below.
  • Continue to shake the fermentation container until all the sugar has dissolved.
  • If you are making this variety for the first time, we recommend you add 1/2 of the sugar and taste the wine to check sweetness before adding the rest of the sugar.
  • If you like a dry wine, you might not want to add sugar, so we would suggest tasting the wine first.

RECOMMENDED SUGAR ADDITION FOR SWEETENING 4.5L OF MADE WINE

  • Medium Sweet White - None (separate sweetener sachet provided)
  • Medium Dry White - None
  • Cherry - 270g
  • Rose - None
  • Elderflower - 400g
  • Medium Dry Red - None
  • Strawberry - 160g
  • Peach - 250g
  • Elderberry - 450g
  • Apricot - 500g
  • Bilberry - 430g

The wine can now be bottled and is ready to drink.

WHAT FERMENTATION TEMPERATURES?

Aim for between 18-26ºC for optimum quality. High temperatures will result in a lower quality wine because more off-flavours are produced. Temperatures down to 15ºC (59ºF) can be used, but will extend the fermentation time.

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