7 replies to this topic

[Poptop]

Fellas, as a gift for Christmas my wife got me NB's Curt and Kathy's Blackberry Melomel kit and it's strumming along just fine at 2 weeks old. I've been wanting to take a crack at Mead and I'm on my way.

Another gift received is a small oak barrel and bottle of port, which I am supposed to condition the barrel, add the port and consume/enjoy as desired. What I'm thinking about doing is upon bottling the Melomel, I would rack some of it to fill this little barrel and age. Is there any harm in doing this (bugs etc..)? The barrel holds 2 x 750ml, which certainly is not a lot but could be a neat little experiment.

Also, as I make more port, I could possibly refill the barrel from time to time thus melding different batches into one continuous batch.

[Poptop]

Last line, as I make more Mead.....

[realbeerguy]

I see no problem in your plan.

[Poptop]

Thank you

[armagh]

Most port has been aged in oak prior to bottling.  Are we talking about a vintage port, tawny, ruby, late bottled?

[Poptop]

I intend on putting some of my melomel into the barrel for aging, not the port.

The port itself is from Del Dotto Napa, nondescript bottle, meant to be added into the mini barrel. A novelty gift. But I think the mini barrel has a little potential.

Thoughts?

[armagh]

Sounds good as long as it's not a high quality vintage port.  If it's domestic, fire away.

[Poptop]

My thoughts exactly.