Home brew wine
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2012-12-06 10:44 AM |
Champion 7821 Brooklyn, NY | Subject: Home brew wine I had no idea this even existed on a small, household scale. How does it work? Where do you get the juice from? Is it similar to brewing beer? How expensive is it to get started? |
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2012-12-06 10:45 AM in reply to: #4524498 |
Champion 16151 Checkin' out the podium girls | Subject: RE: Home brew wine jmk-brooklyn - 2012-12-06 11:44 AM I had no idea this even existed on a small, household scale. How does it work? Where do you get the juice from? Is it similar to brewing beer? How expensive is it to get started? Ever been out to the wineries on Long Island? Every fall, they'll sell juice or grapes which they produce. I've seen about 6-10 who do this. |
2012-12-06 10:49 AM in reply to: #4524498 |
Expert 2122 Next to a big lake | Subject: RE: Home brew wine There are several companies that make wine kits. If you have a local home brew (beer) store they probably have them. Depending on what you want to make the cost can vary. My recent 6 gal kit cost me $145 and it was a middle to upper level red blend. The equipment can cost about $150 depending on how hard you jump into it. Save your bottles and you can refill them or buy some new bottles with your equipment. The process is easy and the kit instructions are clear. I think it is easier than beer. |
2012-12-06 10:52 AM in reply to: #4524503 |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: Home brew wine The most common way is to order/buy concentrate for the wine you want to make. Add sugar and other ingredients, and your are off and running! Google search for wine making concentrates. But you can make wine out of ANYTHING. The yeast loves the sugars you add (or come naturally in the fruit) not what the fruit is. When I was a kid, my parents made dandelion wine! I have a recipe book that suggests making wine out of just about anything. Flowers, apple juice (which ends up called Cyser), jelly, potatoes, etc. Obviously, any ingredient that doesn't have enough natural sugars, you supplement. I think that's why grapes became the natural ingredient to make wine, because the incredibly high natural sugar levels. In Denver, a wine making shop would have a "grape stomp" day. growers would bring grapes to buy, and they would crush them for you on site (no, not with your feet!). I think to date, I made a cabs, merlots, pinots, a cyser (apple), a raspberry, a strawberry. |
2012-12-06 10:55 AM in reply to: #4524519 |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: Home brew wine I think the process is easier and less chance to foul up. But you have to be patient. You could rush it and drink it within 3 months - but I think it tastes pretty bad yet. I tend to wait at least 6 months to bottle, then even wait another 6-12 months after THAT to really have something special. When I was heavy into it, it was a slow start at first, but after a year, I started to have tons of bottles to drink AND had one aging AND had one started up. Just a few extra carboys and you can have several batches going at once. |
2012-12-06 10:57 AM in reply to: #4524498 |
Elite 3277 Minnetonka | Subject: RE: Home brew wine My father in law has been doing this for years. He grows his own grapes. He also buys various strands of grapes to make different Wines. He's got it down, before I stopped drinking, I remember that his wines were very good, and he always refers to real wine as that "Store bought Garbage".... One caution, he's always on the look-out for 5 gallon glass bottles, and his basement looks like a large scale distillery. |
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2012-12-06 11:07 AM in reply to: #4524498 |
Champion 16151 Checkin' out the podium girls | Subject: RE: Home brew wine Q: Since commecial wine is aged in barrels and we obviously don't have access to a cooper, could you add oak chips to the wine as it ages in a secondary fermentor? Or store it as such in a glass carboy to age in the presence of some wood before bottling it? |
2012-12-06 11:09 AM in reply to: #4524565 |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: Home brew wine pitt83 - 2012-12-06 9:07 AM Q: Since commecial wine is aged in barrels and we obviously don't have access to a cooper, could you add oak chips to the wine as it ages in a secondary fermentor? Or store it as such in a glass carboy to age in the presence of some wood before bottling it? Yes! That is a technique some use. I never tried it. You also add tannin, which is present in the skins, that would not be there if you get the concentrates. |
2012-12-06 11:38 AM in reply to: #4524570 |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: Home brew wine I just did an Amazon search. I have about a half dozen books, but looking at Amazon, I remember I liked this one. Good explanation and lots of recipes. Edited by Kido 2012-12-06 11:40 AM |
2012-12-06 12:07 PM in reply to: #4524618 |
Iron Donkey 38643 , Wisconsin | Subject: RE: Home brew wine Kido - 2012-12-06 11:38 AM I just did an Amazon search. I have about a half dozen books, but looking at Amazon, I remember I liked this one. Good explanation and lots of recipes. Any lingering smell, or keep it in a controlled room somewhere so it doesn't get in the main part of the house?? |
2012-12-06 12:20 PM in reply to: #4524702 |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: Home brew wine 1stTimeTri - 2012-12-06 10:07 AM Kido - 2012-12-06 11:38 AM I just did an Amazon search. I have about a half dozen books, but looking at Amazon, I remember I liked this one. Good explanation and lots of recipes. Any lingering smell, or keep it in a controlled room somewhere so it doesn't get in the main part of the house?? Primary fermentation would be the worst, but it's really not bad. Actually not even noticeable unless you stuck your nose in the bucket. Sort of smells good to me in an odd kind of way and that's only a week long. When I made it in my apt, I just left it in my living room. Weird tip... I would make my wine in any room OTHER than my kitchen. I heard that even the bathroom may have less bacteria to foul up a beer/wine than a kitchen. I usually did my mixing and fermentation in the basement or spare room as they may be sort of dusty but pretty sterile in terms of bacteria since they are not used much. Edited by Kido 2012-12-06 12:20 PM |
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2012-12-06 12:20 PM in reply to: #4524498 |
Champion 8766 Evergreen, Colorado | Subject: RE: Home brew wine I have just done the kits. They are seriously idiot-proof. And WAY less active time investment than beer. Lots more inactive time investment, but actual work level is SUPER low. Get a floor corker though or you may lose your mind. My biggest beef with most of the kits is that they *say* to fill the carboy way up so there isn't much air, but my wines have tended to turn out watery...so...from here on out I skimp on the water! |
2012-12-06 12:23 PM in reply to: #4524728 |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: Home brew wine jldicarlo - 2012-12-06 10:20 AM I have just done the kits. They are seriously idiot-proof. And WAY less active time investment than beer. Lots more inactive time investment, but actual work level is SUPER low. Get a floor corker though or you may lose your mind. My biggest beef with most of the kits is that they *say* to fill the carboy way up so there isn't much air, but my wines have tended to turn out watery...so...from here on out I skimp on the water! That's to avoid the chance for oxidation. Most recipes should be for 5 gallons and fill a carboy. If I was a cup or two short, I would top with sugar water, or if I just needed a small amount, top with some cheap wine I bought. |
2012-12-06 12:29 PM in reply to: #4524498 |
Master 2504 Southwest Iowa | Subject: RE: Home brew wine I may have to look into another hobby. I love stout beer, and my wife likes wine. Maybe we can do both. Oh yeah, like I need another hobby!!!!! |
2012-12-06 12:33 PM in reply to: #4524749 |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: Home brew wine flip18436572 - 2012-12-06 10:29 AM I may have to look into another hobby. I love stout beer, and my wife likes wine. Maybe we can do both. Oh yeah, like I need another hobby!!!!! It's fun, but for some reason, I never considered it a real hobby, more like an interest? If I had to put more time into it, I would consider it a hobby! 45 minutes to get a batch going, maybe 5 minutes a day for the first week, then put it in a carboy and maybe spend 30 minutes a month racking... Not much effort for a great reward! |
2012-12-06 1:24 PM in reply to: #4524731 |
Champion 8766 Evergreen, Colorado | Subject: RE: Home brew wine Kido - 2012-12-06 12:23 PM jldicarlo - 2012-12-06 10:20 AM I have just done the kits. They are seriously idiot-proof. And WAY less active time investment than beer. Lots more inactive time investment, but actual work level is SUPER low. Get a floor corker though or you may lose your mind. My biggest beef with most of the kits is that they *say* to fill the carboy way up so there isn't much air, but my wines have tended to turn out watery...so...from here on out I skimp on the water! That's to avoid the chance for oxidation. Most recipes should be for 5 gallons and fill a carboy. If I was a cup or two short, I would top with sugar water, or if I just needed a small amount, top with some cheap wine I bought. My kits all claim to be for the 6 gallon carboy...but I will probably make the next one in the 5.... |
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2012-12-06 1:32 PM in reply to: #4524934 |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: Home brew wine jldicarlo - 2012-12-06 11:24 AM Kido - 2012-12-06 12:23 PM jldicarlo - 2012-12-06 10:20 AM I have just done the kits. They are seriously idiot-proof. And WAY less active time investment than beer. Lots more inactive time investment, but actual work level is SUPER low. Get a floor corker though or you may lose your mind. My biggest beef with most of the kits is that they *say* to fill the carboy way up so there isn't much air, but my wines have tended to turn out watery...so...from here on out I skimp on the water! That's to avoid the chance for oxidation. Most recipes should be for 5 gallons and fill a carboy. If I was a cup or two short, I would top with sugar water, or if I just needed a small amount, top with some cheap wine I bought. My kits all claim to be for the 6 gallon carboy...but I will probably make the next one in the 5.... I have done that too. I have a couple gallon jugs that I keep a bit of "topping off" wine in (with airlock of course). Or even a half gallon bottle. Just talking around, some people even say they add 50% more concentrate or even double it up. It's up to what you like! for ME, that get's a bit pricey. Edited by Kido 2012-12-06 1:33 PM |
2012-12-06 1:38 PM in reply to: #4524769 |
Master 2504 Southwest Iowa | Subject: RE: Home brew wine Kido - 2012-12-06 12:33 PM flip18436572 - 2012-12-06 10:29 AM I may have to look into another hobby. I love stout beer, and my wife likes wine. Maybe we can do both. Oh yeah, like I need another hobby!!!!! It's fun, but for some reason, I never considered it a real hobby, more like an interest? If I had to put more time into it, I would consider it a hobby! 45 minutes to get a batch going, maybe 5 minutes a day for the first week, then put it in a carboy and maybe spend 30 minutes a month racking... Not much effort for a great reward! Thanks. I may look into this more. |
2012-12-06 2:24 PM in reply to: #4524934 |
Expert 2122 Next to a big lake | Subject: RE: Home brew wine jldicarlo - 2012-12-06 2:24 PM My kits have said 6 gallon too. I think I will start a bit over volume on the next batch and rack to a smaller carboy then the excess can go into a growler with an air lock to top off as needed. Kido - 2012-12-06 12:23 PM jldicarlo - 2012-12-06 10:20 AM I have just done the kits. They are seriously idiot-proof. And WAY less active time investment than beer. Lots more inactive time investment, but actual work level is SUPER low. Get a floor corker though or you may lose your mind. My biggest beef with most of the kits is that they *say* to fill the carboy way up so there isn't much air, but my wines have tended to turn out watery...so...from here on out I skimp on the water! That's to avoid the chance for oxidation. Most recipes should be for 5 gallons and fill a carboy. If I was a cup or two short, I would top with sugar water, or if I just needed a small amount, top with some cheap wine I bought. My kits all claim to be for the 6 gallon carboy...but I will probably make the next one in the 5.... Another option is to top of with some CO2 to displace the O2.
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2012-12-06 3:09 PM in reply to: #4524498 |
Master 2504 Southwest Iowa | Subject: RE: Home brew wine And these all make good tasting wines that are much cheaper than what we buy at the wineries...... hmmmmmm..... |
2012-12-06 3:25 PM in reply to: #4525194 |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: Home brew wine flip18436572 - 2012-12-06 1:09 PM And these all make good tasting wines that are much cheaper than what we buy at the wineries...... hmmmmmm..... Maybe I'm not the best at it, but my wine was not bad, but not great. Probably equal to a $5-$10 bottle? But for a couple bucks a bottle to make PLUS it's YOURS and you made it, makes it fun. I also think it was fun to create my own labels and have some tasting parties and give them as gifts (with the caveat to not have TOO high of expectations! I never presumed my stuff is great wine) Even when I had tons of the stuff around, I would still feel the need to get a "good" bottle at the stores. They have the advantage of a great filtering system, and large quantities so they can mix to get what they want where at home, you can't. I never filtered my wine, just racked it enough to get all the sediment out before bottling so it was clear. I think for me, it's more about the making of it that I took joy, rather than demanding a super high quality product. Edited by Kido 2012-12-06 3:26 PM |
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2012-12-06 4:02 PM in reply to: #4524498 |
Master 2504 Southwest Iowa | Subject: RE: Home brew wine I am not a wine person, but when playing in bands at wineries, we most often don't have a lot of choice. So there are a few that I can stand. Most of the time I drink water at the winery shows. My wife and I are not the ones to know if a bottle is a $100.00 a bottle or not. I will start talking to her about this tonight. Thanks for the information.
Edited by flip18436572 2012-12-06 4:03 PM |
2012-12-07 2:28 PM in reply to: #4524498 |
Veteran 244 Ohio | Subject: RE: Home brew wine When i was a kid (1960's) my mom would make wine from the small patch of grape vines we had at home. She also made jelly and canned juice; mainly because she hated to waste anything. The wine was pretty basic, not aged in oak, really more like hard grape juice. As a kid, I thought it tasted pretty good! |
2012-12-07 2:47 PM in reply to: #4524498 |
Master 4119 Toronto | Subject: RE: Home brew wine My hubby was big into the home wine kits - has the carboys and everything. There is some chance of mini red-wine explosions in the first week or so after getting it all together - we did have a couple of messes but nothing major when we lived in an apartment. Around here there are plenty of wine making stores that sell a variety of price point concentrates - and pretty much every variety of wine you can think of. They let you make it on site at their place using their equipment or just take it home. We had a little 'accident' the last time and he's put off for a while - i am sure he'll do it again in the future but the mishap involved moving a full carboy from a counter onto a ceramic tile floor and the bottom of the carboy breaking and wine going everywhere. |
2012-12-09 1:27 PM in reply to: #4524498 |
Champion 10157 Alabama | Subject: RE: Home brew wine |
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