Thread for questions and discussion on new winemaker series

[lockwood1956]

hi gang
please cast an eye over this as it progresses....

http://www.winesathome.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=62

make sure i don't miss anything out, this series of posts/tutorials is going to lead new winemakers through the Winemaking process, starting with the basic equipment, and a wine that will be drinkable in 4 weeks.

wine No 2 will be the same type of wine, but stabilised and back sweetened, we will then deal with must preparation, for fruit wines, tinned or fresh. and gradually introducing new techniques and processes as we go, your input would be greatly appreciated

please feel free to chip in here to discuss stuff

regards
Bob

[shirlthegirl43]

The No 1 wine looks good to me Bob. I am going to try this with a red grape juice - any suggestions on a good fruit juice to give a tasty red for my hubby to enjoy? Have used just the red juice with no water (or sugar as it was 1.08)and got something tasty but thought I would try your way for comparison.

[Richard S]

Hi Shirl

Cranberry or cranberry/blueberry would be good to go with the red grape juice.

[lockwood1956]

Blueberry would be good yes....

I have 1 litre of it in my fridge to use soon

regards
Bob

[shirlthegirl43]

Thanks, will get a litre of blueberry later on then. Bother - yeast will have to wait for Friday if I need a special one - usually quite happy with the Youngs Super Wine Yeast as it is a pain to go to the brew store that stocks other varieties.

[shirlthegirl43]

Just been reading another thread (think to do with a special kit offer from somewhere) where you posted a similar recipe but using 2 litres grape juice to one litre apple - should I use one litre or 2 of red grape?

[Zebedee]

Just been reading another thread (think to do with a special kit offer from somewhere) where you posted a similar recipe but using 2 litres grape juice to one litre apple - should I use one litre or 2 of red grape?

I was wondering about that..

as far as I can see ..
if you use 2 ltr grape juice,you need 1lb of sugar
with 1 ltr of grape juice 1.5lb sugar..

I'll probably try both ways to see which I prefer

[lockwood1956]

vary it in any way that you like (unless you are a newbie, in which case follow the recipe and method, omitting no detail no matter how small )


The idea behind one litre of each juice and 1 1/2lb of sugar and the rest being water,(as opposed to all juice) is to make a very easy to make, very early drinking wine (in fact as soon as itr finishes clearing) that is not dominated by any one particular flavour profile.

But if any of you experienced bods out there want to do all juice then feel free, this recipe isnt meant for you..... the idea behind the new winemaker series is to build the new winemakers skill levels as we progress through the making of wines of different types and styles, they are not always going to be killer recipes, as they are designed for new winemaker skill building and in particular, early drinkability for newbies is also key, so we dont have to learn patience as newbies straight away.

regards
Bob

[lockwood1956]

48 hours in and the SG is down to 1.050

nice healthy ferment.....


The wine should drop clear very quickly once ferment is over (well thats the plan anyway)

[valleydaz]

I've got one on the go now too, used apple & grape juice and with 620g sugar added sg was 1.073. Started it yesterday at 8pm and its pretty busy now. After it settles down a bit i'm going to top it up with 125g sugar in water to make a finished wine of 11%.
Cheers

p.s. Great tutorial Bob

[lockwood1956]

just curious to know how you are finding these tutorials?
helpful?
are any of you are making these wines?


please let me know

regards
Bob

[kerosine]

Following them to the letter Bob

going to get the red on today

popping down to hop and grape form more supplies though as I've got no more demi johns!

[lockwood1956]

Now I don't want to do John and Patsy at hop and grape out of your business, but you have a couple of suppliers nearer you.

Elderberry in Tynemouth and wineonline in Houghton le spring, I've not dealt with Elderberry but everyone who has says they offer good service, I have bought from wineonline at houghton le spring..nice people, good level of stock.

Elderberry
28 Station Road, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, NE26 2RD
Telephone: 0191 251 3907
Mail Order Available
E-mail: algough@blueyonder.co.uk

http://www.wineandbeer.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

Wineonline
10 Newbottle Street
Houghton-le-Spring
Tyne & Wear
DH4 4AN

Telephone: (0191) 584 5055

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/wineonlinenorth/index.htm

hope this helps
regards
bob

[kerosine]

Been to Elderberry Bob

I used to live just round the corner in good old Whitley!

It's a great shop but they don't carry as much stock

but thanks for thinking of my carbon footprint

[fatbloke]

just curious to know how you are finding these tutorials?
helpful?
are any of you are making these wines?


please let me know

regards
Bob

Not yet, but I've got the medium sweet recipe in mind, it's just a case of sussing out whether I can get the required juices in the local safeways (not yet renamed Morrisons) to try it.

Hopefully I'll have some on the go by the end of Jan! WTS!

regards

John the fatbloke.