December 2009 New Batches part I

After the success of the red grape and apple wines, both made from carton, we have decided to make more of the same. Two of our friends think this is sacrilege, but it is December so fruit is in short supply, besides which this is cheap easy to make booze!

The Ingredients: Apple Juice 4 l, Red Grape Juice 4l, 4lb Sugar, Yeast, Yeast Nutrient

Red Grape Wine

Pour 3 litres of red grape juice into the sterilised Demi John.

 

 Measure out 2lb of sugar

 

 

Add both the sugar and 1 litre of Red grape juice to a saucepan.

This should be heated long enough to disolve the sugar into the liquid.

 

 

Then Add 1 teaspoon of yeast nutrient.

Followed by 1 teaspoon of wine yeast.

 

 

 Then top up with water to just below the neck of the Demi John.

 Put some water into the trap.

 

 

This should be plugged into the Demi John... now wait 4 weeks before racking off and you will have an east drinking red wine.

The apple wine follows the same process as above.

Done!

 

On the go at the moment

We still have a few fermenting, I have Cranberry and Blueberry (from cartons), Carrot no 4 and Asda smart price Peach slices in light syrup (long story, will explain this one once we bottle)

And at Lukes we have ..............(to be edited by Luke) (Thanks Mike!) At my house we have Plum, Red Grape and White Grape.

The plum was made in the traditional way using fruit which was boiled to extract the juice, which was then mixed with a 2lb sugar solution along with yeast and yeast nutrient. We are hoping this will be similar to the damson.

Peach, Red Grape, Tropical, White Grape... An Alcoholic Fruit Pastel

 After bottling the produce we have had a small taste, well you have to! Below are our initial notes:

• Red Grape - this wine has turned out to be great, it has loads of fruit and the depth of flavor given by the grape is excellent. It tatses like an easy going shop brought red. We have high hopes for how this will develop and it is definitely on the list for remaking!
• Peach - This wine is a clean white wine with a subtle peach taste. It is quite dry, I am not sure we will make it again but it has proved we can use tinned fruits which opens up a new world of possibilities.
• Tropical - A friend Cossi has named this Umbungo and it does taste like it. We are not keen but we think the ladies will like it and it could open a few doors ;)
• White grape - This one has taken a month to ferment and we are still waiting for it to clear!