Made my first wine today..

[OldTex]

Simply experimenting... my grandfather made wine from mustang grapes, and the family has been pestering me about making a wine.

Grabbed some wine additives, and used a recipe I found online for a grape wine made from welch's grape concentrate. Just made a gallon as a test. Too bad ya gotta wait so long, but the recipe calls for a 30-day fermentation. Then bottle, if clear, and condition for another few months.

Anyone else make one like this? Really, how long will it be before I can sample the wine??

[Michael]

Hi Dave,

Welcome to the wonderful world of home wine making. I hope your efforts in making your first batch from grape juice won’t put you off for future successes. If you manage to get the concentrate of actually ferment, great! If you really want to make wine, consider getting a concentrated tin of juice for making wine. If you live anywhere near a metro area I’m sure you can find a shop that sells kits for making your first wine. Better than that, chances are thee will be someone there that can give you advice on any questions you may have. No shop close by, check the net. There are more out there than you could shake a stick at.

Good luck
Michael in Oregon
www.valleybru.com
email brew@valleybru.com

[OldTex]

Hi Dave,

Welcome to the wonderful world of home wine making. I hope your efforts in making your first batch from grape juice won’t put you off for future successes. If you manage to get the concentrate of actually ferment, great! If you really want to make wine, consider getting a concentrated tin of juice for making wine. If you live anywhere near a metro area I’m sure you can find a shop that sells kits for making your first wine. Better than that, chances are thee will be someone there that can give you advice on any questions you may have. No shop close by, check the net. There are more out there than you could shake a stick at.

Good luck
Michael in Oregon
www.valleybru.com
email brew@valleybru.com

Mike,

Actually, it's fermenting very well right now, been going at the same clip in the primary for about 7 days now. I have my eye on a Island mist kit, as I prefer fruity wines versus the red dry wines.

It's an experiment - my grandfather made wine and brandy from mustange grapes. The camden tables smell reminded me of his cellar when I was growing up!!

[OldTex]

And kicks... I racked into a secondary, and got a sip while siphoning.

It's got a kick already and is very, very clear, and sweet. I read some recipes where you can bottle about now, but I'll condition it another 30 days THEN Bottle after halting the fermentation.

But - wow.. it's already wine!

[Michael]

Dave
You say it's sweet. Are you sure it's fully fermented? Have you taken a hydrometer reading? Is it well below 1,000? How do yu pland to stop any futher fermentation? If all is under control,GREAT! Have a sip or two for me.

Michael

[OldTex]

Dave
You say it's sweet. Are you sure it's fully fermented? Have you taken a hydrometer reading? Is it well below 1,000? How do yu pland to stop any futher fermentation? If all is under control,GREAT! Have a sip or two for me.

Michael

It still has some fermenting to do.. but the hydrometer dropped like a stone and the reading was 997... which I'm not used to, brewing beer most of the time.

I figure to stop the process by using a conditioner. I like sweet wines anyway..