Quick answer
- Oak adds vanilla, smoky and woody notes, like a barrel-aged wine.
- Oak powder goes into the primary on day 1. Oak chips go into the carboy for up to about 2 weeks. Taste every 2 to 3 days.
- Over-oaking can’t be undone. Delicate or floral wines can be spoiled by oak.
Oak
Oak brings the vanilla, smoky and toasty flavours and aromas associated with high-quality barrel-aged wine. Many red wine kits include oak.
Oak Powder
Mix it with water and add it to the primary fermenter on day 1, before the yeast.
Oak Chips
Add oak chips to the finished wine in the carboy and leave them for up to about 2 weeks. Taste the wine every 2 to 3 days. When it has the oak you want, rack it into a clean carboy and leave the chips behind.
Oak Cubes and Other Options
Oak cubes release flavour more slowly and gently than chips, which suits longer aging. Liquid oak extract and oak alternatives give you more control.
Don’t Over-Oak
Too much oak can’t be reversed. Delicate, floral whites such as Riesling or Gewürztraminer are easily overwhelmed. Save oak for reds and fuller whites like Chardonnay, and go slowly.
Elderberries
Dried elderberries give a rich, plummy flavour, a reddish-brown colour and extra tannin. Some kits include them to add depth.
- Add them before the yeast.
- Push them under the surface every day to keep them moist.
- Leave them behind at the first racking.
Glycerin (Finishing Formula)
Glycerin adds fullness and a smooth mouthfeel. It also gives wine “legs”, the slow drips that run down the glass when you swirl it. Stir it in just before bottling. Too much gives a hot, metallic taste, and it won’t fix a harsh or bad wine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I leave oak chips in wine?
Up to about 2 weeks, tasting every 2 to 3 days. Remove them as soon as the flavour is right.
Can I add oak to a kit that didn’t include it?
Yes. Start with a small amount of chips or cubes and taste often.
Does glycerin sweeten wine?
It tastes slightly sweet, but its main effect is body and smoothness.
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This guide is adapted from the ABC Crafted Series booklet Wine From Kits: What the Instructions Don’t Always Tell You. Always follow the instructions that come with your kit.