Wine starter kit Noob

[BlindXX]

Hey all, I have been brewing a few Coopers kits, had a really great time brewing and drinking and have decided to try some wine kits as well (me and the other half drink around 6 bottles a week). I was thinking of this starter kit
http://www.brewsmarter.co.uk/brewsmarte ... 1084-p.asp
Additionally, Beaverdale shiraz 30b and Beaverdale Pinot Grigio 30b.
I have a few questions:
1. If I were to want to mature the wine (I've read its better to do this in bulk) can I use one of the fv's in the kit or would the surface area be too big (oxygen exposure)? If so would a Better Bottle 23l equivalent be ok - PET seems to be frowned on for maturing wine.
2. Would 5l Vinotainer work for 6-12 month maturing?
3. Should I mature in bottles?
4. I was thinking of using 2x5l Vinotainers and my 500ml coopers beer bottles for storage. Would the plastic bottles work ok (not alter flavour or leach chemicals)?

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!

[oldbloke]

1. If headspace is minimised and you get a proper airtight seal on the lid it'd be OK. Campden it to deal with any oxygen that is inside.
2. Should be fine, and you can get all the air out so probably better than option 1.
3. People do say bulk is better. I have read that most of the most important chemical changes happen in the first 2-3 months so you could do bulk for that, then bottle, if you need your Fv/vinotainers back.
4. Any plas bottle sold for food use shouldn't leach chemicals, these days. I understand they are very slightly permeable to gases though, so for something longterm like a wine they're not ideal.

[techtone]

I started my first wine kit (usually do all grain beer) mid-December. 30 Bottle kit. I used a fermentation bucket and a polypin for secondary - with a blow-off tube. I'm not sure why secondary in a fv is ok for beer but not advised for wine, unless wine is more sensitive to o2. I would be included to think that as long as wine is still actively fermenting with an air-tight lid and air-lock which is not removed too often then a fv would be ok for secondary.

Once cleared, I transferred back to the polypin (bag in box) for final conditioning and dispensing. The wine tasted great from day one and a month later it is even better. I've heard different things from different people as to how long it will be good for in a plastic bag but I suspect it will be fine for a year or so.

[BlindXX]

Thanks guys, thats helped me a lot. For my first kit I think I'll go as planned, and mature in bags/bottles. I'll try and pick up one or two of these over the next few months for the future to mature the wine
http://www.hopandgrape.co.uk/public/det ... EW20271880
or a PET carboy if I can find one with a tap. I know glass is generally considred to be better, but I don't like the idea of broken shards everywhere. I know I'll break one.
Just can't wait to get it all in the post now!