Winemaking

[John S]

Steve, if you can, get a book called 'Woodworking for Winemakers' (sorry don't know the author and can't find my copy right now). There's plans in there for both a masher and a press, I made both at school in the late 70's from old desks - the press is still serving me well

 

I suppose you could find similar plans on the Interweb....

[Steve Walker]

Woodwork for Winemakers by Colin John Dart (Author), Derek Arthur Smith (Author)

 

Out of print, but there are used copies from 35p! Thanks John, I'll get myself a copy.

[Ken L]

Just buy a jucer.

Much less hastle than all that pulping and siving.

My dad uses one that I bought him to turn apples into cider, it's a great toy.

[Steve Walker]

I've got a juicer, but it doesn't seem very efficient at getting juice out of apples.

[wanzelbin]

I've still got all my old copies of CJJ Berry's books too, but you should remember that he never made a gallon of wine in his life

 

Well I didn't know that! Must admit I'd noticed that some of the measurements seemed a bit crook.

 

I would love to see your mead recipe - in fact, as it now appears a number of the recipes in my book are probably rubbish, any other recipes would also be very gratefully received.

 

D

[Ken L]

I've got a juicer, but it doesn't seem very efficient at getting juice out of apples.

 

There are two types. The cheepie ones costing about £30 won't do hard fruit and veg. The ones to go for are the ones costing about £100 that use a different method of juice extraction. I think that the one I bought Dad was a Jack LaLane or sumsuch and he reckons that he gets more juice out of his apples with less mess than he does with a power masher and press.

[John S]

Well I didn't know that! Must admit I'd noticed that some of the measurements seemed a bit crook.

 

I would love to see your mead recipe - in fact, as it now appears a number of the recipes in my book are probably rubbish, any other recipes would also be very gratefully received.

 

D

 

I wouldn't say that the recipies in the books are rubbish, just use your own judgement before trying them. Just because you can make a wine out of something doesn't mean it will be any good when it's finished - onion wine anyone?

 

Berry's books are probably still the bibles when it comes to winemaking, but as I say, use your own judgement and keep proper records

 

 

Anyway, here's the mead recipe that I make....

 

3 - 3 1/2 lb clear honey (that should give you a specific gravity of between 1.080 - 1.090 if you use a hydrometer)

Teaspoon of nutrient

Teaspoon citric acid

Tannin as stated on the side of the tub

General winemaking yeast

Water (hot in order to dissolve all the honey) to one gallon (not one gallon of water )

 

If you can, start it off in a fermenting bin and slop it into a dj once it's calmed down a bit. Otherwise, only use enough water to fill to the bottom of the shoulder and top it up later. After bottling, leave it for at least 6 months. This is a very good drink so if you can, make more than one gallon, you'll thank me for that advice in a few months time

[wanzelbin]

I wouldn't say that the recipies in the books are rubbish, just use your own judgement before trying them. Just because you can make a wine out of something doesn't mean it will be any good when it's finished - onion wine anyone?

 

Berry's books are probably still the bibles when it comes to winemaking, but as I say, use your own judgement and keep proper records

Anyway, here's the mead recipe that I make....

 

3 - 3 1/2 lb clear honey (that should give you a specific gravity of between 1.080 - 1.090 if you use a hydrometer)

Teaspoon of nutrient

Teaspoon citric acid

Tannin as stated on the side of the tub

General winemaking yeast

Water (hot in order to dissolve all the honey) to one gallon (not one gallon of water )

 

If you can, start it off in a fermenting bin and slop it into a dj once it's calmed down a bit. Otherwise, only use enough water to fill to the bottom of the shoulder and top it up later. After bottling, leave it for at least 6 months. This is a very good drink so if you can, make more than one gallon, you'll thank me for that advice in a few months time

 

That's super - thanks John. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

D

[Peter Sharpe]

My father used to make a fantastic wine out of quince and runner beans. It should have been pea pods really, but the kidney beans worked fine and it had a very nicely balanced taste. You would have thought it was a very good grape wine.

[gozzer]

I wouldn't say that the recipies in the books are rubbish, just use your own judgement before trying them. Just because you can make a wine out of something doesn't mean it will be any good when it's finished - onion wine anyone?

 

 

I have an old book stashed somewhere in the house. It contains many different home made wine recipes. The one I remember, (never tried it) was for carrot wine. The author said the only recipe he could find, was for 17 gallons of the stuff! So it must have been popular with someone.

 

John.