STARTER KIT WINE

Starter Kit Wine

Kit Includes

• 30 Litre Fermenter, Airlock & Grommet
• 23 Litre Glass Jar, Airlock & rubber Bung
• Easy Syphon
• Hydrometer
• 39cm Spoon
• Bottle Brush
• No Rinse Steriliser / Equipment final rinse
• Demijohn Bored Bung

What it does

This kit lets you go through the full winemaking process:

1. Primary fermentation (in the fermenter)
2. Secondary fermentation (in the carboy)
3. Bottling and aging

You just add:

• Wine concentrate or fruit
• Yeast
• Bottles & corks (usually not included)

Who it’s for

• Beginners wanting to try home winemaking
• Hobbyists upgrading from basic setups
• Anyone looking to make wine cheaply at home

🍷 Step-by-Step: Your First Batch of Wine (23L)

🧼 Step 1: Clean & Sanitise (don’t skip this)

Why: Most beginner mistakes come from contamination.

• Wash all equipment with warm water
• Mix your sanitiser (from the kit)
• Sanitise EVERYTHING that touches the wine:
  • Fermenter
  • Spoon
  • Airlock
  • Siphon
  • Carboy

👉 Let it air dry — don’t rinse unless instructions say so.

🍇 Step 2: Prepare the Must (the juice)

If using a wine kit (recommended for first batch):

1. Pour the juice concentrate into the fermenter
2. Rinse the bag with warm water and add it too
3. Top up with water to ~23 litres
4. Stir thoroughly

Optional (if included in kit):

• Add sugar if instructed
• Add additives (acid blend, tannins, etc.)

🌡️ Step 3: Check Temperature

• Ideal: 20–25°C
• Too hot = kills yeast
• Too cold = slow fermentation

🍺 Step 4: Add Yeast

• Sprinkle yeast on top (don’t stir immediately unless instructed)
• Wait ~10–15 minutes, then gently mix

🧪 Step 5: Take Initial Hydrometer Reading

• Fill test tube and float hydrometer
• Record the number (this tells you alcohol later)

🔒 Step 6: Seal & Ferment (Primary Fermentation)

• Put lid on fermenter
• Insert airlock (filled with water)

What happens:

• Bubbling starts within 24–48 hours
• Fermentation lasts ~5–10 days

👉 Keep in a stable temperature room.

🔄 Step 7: Transfer to Carboy (Secondary Fermentation)

After bubbling slows (around day 5–10):

1. Sanitize siphon + carboy
2. Siphon wine into the carboy
3. Leave sediment (gunk) behind

Attach airlock again.

⏳ Step 8: Secondary Fermentation (Clearing Phase)

• Lasts ~2–3 weeks
• Wine clears and stabilizes

👉 You’ll see sediment settle at the bottom.

🧴 Step 9: Stabilise & Clarify

(Use packets included in your wine kit)

Typically:

• Add stabilizer (stops fermentation)
• Add finings (clears wine)
• Stir gently

Wait another few days until clear.

🍾 Step 10: Bottle Your Wine

1. Sanitize bottles + siphon
2. Siphon wine into bottles
3. Leave ~2–3 cm space at top
4. Cork or cap

🕰️ Step 11: Age (this is where magic happens)

• Minimum: 2–4 weeks
• Better: 2–3 months
• Best: 6+ months

👉 Taste improves a lot over time.

⚠️ Common Beginner Mistakes

• Skipping sanitizing
• Fermenting too hot/cold
• Opening lid too often
• Bottling too early (causes fizzy or exploding bottles)

💡 Pro Tips

• Start with a wine concentrate kit (much easier than fruit)
• Label your bottles with date + type
• Keep notes — helps improve next batch