help- restart fermentation.

[pete57]

While the offer was on at wilko I brought 3 wine kits (chardonnay)
first attempt went all well and all drunk now.
Made second batch and thought fermentation had stopped so added stabiliser and finings and bottled .
swmbo as had first taste and said it was far too sweet and doesn't like it.
On checking with an hydrometer the reading was on 1020, where recommended is 995-998.
Is it possible to restart fermentation after adding stabiliser?
Thanks in anticipation.

[fatbloke]

Likely not as the presence of sorbate would likely stop any existing or new yeast from multiplying etc.

All is not lost.

Sweeten it more, fortify it with the cheapest brandy you can find/get and then bulk age it with medium oak chips.........

Bingo. A Port clone........

[pete57]

How much brandy would you suggest?

[fatbloke]

How much brandy would you suggest?

Well if the wine is at 13 to 13.5% ABV, then 1 bottle of brandy per gallon would bring it up to about 17% and 2 bottles per gallon to about the 20% area......

If you needed to give it more body, you could also add some dried elderberry and some sultanas...

A bit of a dig around should give you some idea how (if you wanted) to proceed.

There's some reasonable info if you search over at winesathome.....

[pete57]

cheers for that.