| These wine grapes from California first appeared | | | | Below are the easy steps on how to make wine |
| as a varietal label in the 70’s and from then | | | | at home. Follow them step by step and you |
| rose to popularity. Until in the 80’s when it | | | | would produce one great tasting Merlot wine. And |
| really gained a huge following in the market and | | | | then you will realize that it really is just easy to |
| began selling big. Actually, these California wine | | | | create your own homemade wine. Eventually, |
| grapes only appeared as a varietal label in the | | | | you will be able to make your own wine recipe |
| 70’s. But it was in the 80’s that it really | | | | and hopefully even learn to profit from this |
| started selling big until it eventually controlled the | | | | fantastic hobby of yours. |
| wine market. They are widely used among | | | | 1. Combine potassium metabisulphate and one |
| enthusiasts and consumers who are starting to | | | | gallon of water in a bucket that you’ve |
| learn about how to make wine at home. | | | | prepared. Use the cloth and immerse it in the |
| Merlot is the so-called insurance for the vineyard. | | | | solution for about five minutes. When this is done, |
| This is so because the Merlot grapes tend to ripen | | | | you will use the same cloth when you clean the |
| one week earlier than the other varietals like the | | | | fermenters. |
| Cabernet. Thus, rain plays a huge part in its | | | | 2. Mix the blackberry and merlot juices in one of |
| harvest. | | | | the fermenters and stir them very well. |
| Every type of wine has a proper temperature to | | | | 3. Then add the yeast and Lalvin EC1118 |
| which it should be served. As for Merlot, it is best | | | | champagne yeast right on top. After one hour of |
| served slightly below room temperature. If not, | | | | setting it aside, stir them again. |
| once the alcohol hits 74 degrees F, the taste of | | | | 4. Every day, for the next five days, keep stirring |
| your wine will turn a bit sharper than usual and | | | | the mixture once each day. Let it sit again for |
| I’m not sure if you’d like that. This is | | | | another two days. |
| why it’s better to refrigerate or cool your | | | | 5. In learning how to make wine at home, it is |
| wine for about 15 minutes before serving it. By | | | | important to tightly seal the mixture and leave it |
| doing so, you can be assured that your wine will | | | | for 21 days. |
| be served at the best temperature possible which | | | | 6. Using another fermenter, siphon the mixture |
| will preserve the good taste of your wine. | | | | from the first bottle to the second bottle. Let it |
| How to make wine at home, particularly Merlot, is | | | | sit again for the next 28 days. |
| pretty easy. It’s the most basic and is | | | | 7. After that period, your Merlot wine is quite |
| practically similar with the process of making any | | | | ready for bottling. Once it’s bottled and |
| homemade wine. Of course, all equipment must | | | | corked, leave it for an additional 90 days |
| be prepared well and all ingredients must be | | | | maximum just to make sure it has aged well. |
| gathered first. There are additional ingredients | | | | Now that you know how to make wine at home, |
| used on how to make wine at home aside from | | | | start making some! Or you can opt to learn more |
| the usual ingredients. You need to add 22 liters of | | | | about how to make wine at home by doing some |
| merlot juice and 1 liter of blackberry juice. This will | | | | more research online. |
| add flavor to your homemade Merlot wine. | | | | |