| Learning how to make wines has never been | | | | opinion, cork stoppers and aging in wooden casks |
| easier. With the widespread technology we have | | | | are not necessarily essential in today's wine |
| in the information age, it's become an undeniable | | | | making process - especially for the beginner just |
| fact that great wine can be easily made at home. | | | | learning how to make wines. Of course, with |
| Products and information that was previously hard | | | | certain wine types, subsequent wood and bottle |
| to find is now readily available and very | | | | aging can make a significant difference. |
| inexpensive. Today there are quite a number of | | | | Extracting Device |
| different wine making kits that can show you | | | | This can be a small manual or electric-powered |
| how to make wines yourself. You can acquire | | | | grape crusher, a colander with a wooden mallet |
| these kits from mail order catalogs, department | | | | and cheesecloth, or an electric juicer. |
| stores, or wine hobby shops. | | | | Water Seal |
| They range in size and complexity from a | | | | This seal serves to prevent air and |
| miniature winery to a kitchen counter top | | | | microorganisms from contaminating the juice and |
| operation. It's probably better for you to start | | | | is an essential component for the fermentation |
| simply and gradually increase in complexity as you | | | | process. These seals can be made out of glass or |
| gain experience and really learn the fundamentals | | | | plastic tubing or you can find one at a wine supply |
| of how to make wines. With this instant availability | | | | store. |
| of quality information, there is no reason that | | | | Sulfur Dioxide |
| anyone could not to produce their own quality | | | | A little goes a long way and it should not be |
| wine at home. | | | | overused. This has important preservative |
| Here are three surefire tips to make sure you | | | | qualities when used in small amounts. With ideal |
| enjoy the fruits of your labor of love. | | | | sanitary conditions the use of sulfur dioxide can |
| Tip #1: Proper Sanitization | | | | be reduced or eliminated. |
| Proper sanitization of all your equipment is | | | | Yeast |
| absolutely essential. As you discover how to | | | | Only wine yeast should be used. There are a |
| make wines yourself, you will come to know that | | | | number of different types of yeasts. Some types |
| there is no getting around this fact. The truth is, | | | | are Montrachet, Burgundy and Champagne. Don't |
| that entire batches of wine will go to waste due | | | | expect the yeast to dictate the character of the |
| to bacteria growth caused by unsanitized hoses, | | | | final product. This will depend more on your raw |
| improper water seals, remnants left in the bottom | | | | materials and your preparation skills that you will |
| of carboys and primary fermenters, just to name | | | | gain with experience as you learn how to make |
| a few. | | | | wines at home. |
| In wine making, you should start with clean raw | | | | [Note: You shouldn't let the fermentation proceed |
| materials and utensils and work in sanitary | | | | naturally. The wild yeast or contaminants that are |
| surroundings. Wine is a food product and should | | | | naturally present on fruits will produce a |
| be prepared as you would any other item | | | | fermentation of low quality.] |
| destined for human consumption. Careful attention | | | | Yeast Nutrients |
| to these seemingly small details will go a long way | | | | These are chemicals which cause the yeast |
| in insuring your success and enjoyment as you | | | | population to multiply which produces a desirable |
| learn how to make wines at home. | | | | fermentation. Fruits and/or honey may require |
| Tip #2: Proper Timing | | | | added nutrients to achieve a proper fermentation. |
| This can be very difficult because the tendency is | | | | Grape juice is unusually adequate, which is one of |
| to rush the process. Just remember, in the long | | | | the key reasons for its selection as a wine fruit. |
| run, patience will help teach you how to make | | | | Siphon |
| wines from a mediocre batch of wine into a great | | | | A small plastic hose is useful for removing the |
| batch of wine.o Don't shortcut any required | | | | wine from the sediment upon the completion of |
| stepso Be sure to filter your wine even if it looks | | | | the fermentation and during the finishing steps. |
| clearo Take the time to label and date your | | | | Fermentation Container |
| bottles of wineo Allow it to age properly and don't | | | | A plastic basket or bucket is perfect for your |
| try to hurry the fermenting process | | | | initial experimentation. It is difficult to work with |
| Tip #3: Proper Equipment | | | | quantities smaller than about one US gallon. A |
| Most of the basic equipment needed is actually | | | | 5-gallon water bottle is about the largest size for |
| available in your kitchen. Some essential | | | | easy handling in the home. |
| components are the following: Wine bottles, a | | | | While there is no substitute for real world |
| device for extracting juice, water seal, sulfur | | | | experience, these three guidelines in this article |
| dioxide, yeast and yeast nutrients, a siphon, and a | | | | should help set you up to succeed. I hope that |
| fermentation container. | | | | you have found this information to be informative |
| Wine Bottles | | | | and useful and that it helps you as you learn how |
| It is best to start simply. Contrary to popular | | | | to make wines. |