6-Gallon Red Blend (GSM-style Kit)
Red-blend kits — typically marketed as GSM-style, Bordeaux-style, or super-Tuscan-style — combine multiple grape concentrates for a more complex flavor than single-varietal kits. The Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre Rhône template is the most common, yielding spice, plum, and pepper notes. Plan a year from pitch to peak.
ABV12-14%
Ferment21d
Age120d
Total141d
Ingredients
| 1 kit (16-18L) | Red blend juice concentrate kit (GSM or Bordeaux blend) |
| 6 L | Water (top up) |
| 5 g | Wine yeast (kit yeast or RP15) |
| 1 packet | Oak chips (kit packet) |
| 0.6 g | Potassium metabisulfite |
| 1 g | Potassium sorbate |
Equipment
- 6-gallon primary
- Glass carboy
- Airlock
- Hydrometer
Steps
- Day 0
Mix must
Pour kit into primary, top with water, pitch yeast.
- Day 0-7
Primary
Ferment at 70-75°F until SG below 1.020.
- Day 7
Rack to carboy
Siphon to glass carboy with oak chips packet.
- Day 7-21
Secondary
Ferment to dryness.
- Day 21
Stabilize
K-meta + sorbate; degas.
- Day 21-110
Bulk age
Bulk age 60-90 days. Blend kits benefit from longer aging than single-varietal kits.
- Day 120
Bottle
Bottle. Drink after 90+ days bottle rest. Improves over a year.