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Wine Maker's Toy Store
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Dallas Home Brew
September 2012
Volume 10, Issue 9
866-417-1114 (Long Distance)
972-323-7921 (Local)
972-323-7955 (Fax)
"The Wine Maker's Toy Store™" | |
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California Grapes
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We have updated the web site with this year's pricing for the fresh grapes from California. The source of the grapes is the same as last year and based on customer feedback, these grapes make outstanding wines.
We expect to receive the grapes during the week of October 8th; therefore we have moved the cut-off date to September 21st for ordering these grapes. There is a hefty price increase of around 20% so we are offering an Early Bird Special. If you order before September 10, 2012, we will give you 5% off.
In addition, if you purchase more that 14 lugs(500 lbs.), you will receive an additional 5% discount. This discount will NOT be reflected online, but will be given when the credit card is charged.
To see the varietals offered this year and their prices, please click on the following link:
Fresh Grapes |
September Shipping Special
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Due to the popularity of the August Shipping Special, we are going to extend it for September. This special is $9.99 per box for shipping most items. Due to the combination of size, weight and value, the following items do not qualify for this special:
- Carboys, glass and plastic
- Wine and beer bottles
- 50 and 55 pound bags of grain
- Items that have to be freighted like stainless steel tanks and crusher/de-stemmers
The online system will automatically calculate your shipping charges based on the weight of qualifying and non-qualifying products. As always, if you have any questions, please use the contact us link to call us or send us an email. |
Limited Releases for 2013
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The limited release wine kits for 2013 will be announced shortly. As soon as we receive the information from the manufacturers, we will send out emails detailing the offerings. As always, we will have a special offer to go with these kits and I think this year's will be our best yet. |
Post Fermentation Tannins
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Tan'Cor Grand Cru is a post fermentation product carried by the Wine Makers Toy Store. It is obtained from Scott Laboratories and is a blend of proanthocyanidic (grape) and ellagic (oak) tannins. The product was developed to aid in color stabilization and protection against oxidation. In addition it increases structure and mouth-feel through the creation of long-chain polyphenols.
We decided to try the tannin on a Castel del Papa, the 10-Liter Vinifera Nobel kit from Mosti Mondiale. Since these tannins are to be added post-fermentation, we added them after the wine had been degassed and fined. The amount of tannin added can be increased with each racking, however the final adjustment should be made at least three to six weeks before bottling. For our test we made only one addition.
Scott Laboratories recommends a dosage of from 10 to 30 grams per hundred Liters. For our test we selected the low end (10g/hL) and the mid-point (20g/hL). The wine was divided into several one-gallon batches. One batch had no tannin added and was our control sample. Tan'Cor Grand Cru was added to one of the one-gallon batches at the rate of 0.4 grams and another one-gallon batch received 0.8 grams of tannin. The wine was then allowed to age for about six months.
The wines were tasted after three months of aging. The wines with the tannin additive were somewhat smoother than the control sample but there was no significant difference in aroma and taste between the samples. When tasted at bottling, the wines with the tannin addition were noticeably smoother that the control. During this period, all the individual wines had improved aroma and taste. The tasters were mixed as to which dosage produced the better aroma and taste. All did agree that the wines with the tannin additions had a more pronounced fruit aroma and taste than the control.
After three months of bottle age, the wines were again tasted. The body of all wines was consistent with expectations from a 10-Liter kit. The tannin additions did however; create the perception of increased body. This perception was from the wine being more fruit forward and the improved mouth-feel. All wines with the tannin addition were noted as having more pronounced fruit aroma and taste than the control. The larger the dosage, the more fruit forward the wine.
Another tasting was conducted after eight months of bottle aging. The tannin treated wines were still smoother than the control but the difference was not as significant as it had been when the wines were younger. The wines treated with the Tan'Cor Grand Cru continued to show better mouth-feel and were more fruit forward than the control. The tasters were not able to discern a significant difference due to the increased dosage of the tannin products.
In summary, the wines with the tannin addition were smoother and more fruit forward than the control wine. As the dosage of tannin increased, the fruit became more emphasized although this emphasis seemed to diminish with time. The difference between the treated and the untreated wine is not subtle; the difference is very evident. The tannins integrated well into the wine and there was no noticed harshness or excess astringency. Based upon our tasting, these tannin additions can make an improvement in a young wine. Unfortunately, because of frequent sampling we did not have enough wine left to determine the longer term effects of these tannin products.
This tannin product was developed to be added to the wine after fermentation is complete and at least three weeks before bottling. As previously indicated, Scott Laboratories recommends a dosage of 10 to 30 grams per hundred Liters. Based upon our trials, one teaspoon of Tan'Cor Grand Cru in six gallons will approximate a dosage at the low end of the recommended range, two teaspoons is about the mid-point and three teaspoons is the high end of the recommended range.
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Close Out Specials
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Please use the following link to look at our close out specials:
Close Out Specials
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Monthly Specials
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Mosti Mondiale Vinifera Noble - $5 off
Click on the link below to see all of the wine kits on sale, this month.
This month we have 3 Brewer's Best Stout Beer Kits on sale for $5.00 off; Irish Stout, Milk Stout and Russian Imperial Stout. Click on the link below to see this outstanding pricing:
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~~~~~~~~~~ Current Specials
To see this month's specials, new products and close out specials, click on the links below:
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Brew Day
Next brew day will be in October. |
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As a reminder, we continue to add products and content to the web site, therefore, if you have any special requests, please let us know. We like to hear what you have to say about our site, our products and/or our customer service, good or bad. Please send your comments and/or suggestions to the contact us link below.
Don't forget we DO like you to CALL!
If you have any questions about our products, our service and/or wine making or home brewing, please call us. We are here to serve you and enjoying assisting you in any way we can. We have an international toll-free line so you WILL call us. Someone is usually at the store between 9 am and 6 pm, Monday through Friady and 10 am and 5 pm on Saturday. We always try to answer the phone when you call; however, sometimes, we are unable to answer the phone as we are on the other lines or we have customers in the store. If you get the voice mail, please leave your name, number, brief message and a best time to call. We will return your call just as soon as we can. If you don't want to call, just send us an email. We usually answer our emails daily. Please remember, we are a resource and we are here to serve you.
We don't want to be the biggest store, just the BEST!
Cheers!
Contact Information: Please use the following link to contact us with any questions and/or suggestions you have.
George, Joseph and Brian
Fine Vine Wines, LLC, The Wine Maker's Toy Store and Dallas Home Brew
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