| The learning process and the preparation process | | | | wine and using the best and newest equipment to |
| are probably the two most critical elements in | | | | help accomplish that goal. |
| making wine. The learning process encompasses | | | | The Learning Process |
| having at least an overview of how, what and | | | | If you start from the beginning by growing your |
| why certain actions are necessary in the wine | | | | own grapes, learn how to choose the best |
| making process. The preparation process means, | | | | location - good drainage and maximum sunlight are |
| at each phase, the ingredients and equipment will | | | | critical. Learn what your soil condition is and what |
| be at your fingertips. | | | | needs to be done for optimal grapevine growth. |
| There is also an important time-management | | | | What's the climate in your part of the country? |
| component here that keeps the individual from | | | | This will determine if it is appropriate for you to |
| being stressed out and on track and keeping the | | | | even grow grapes for making wine. |
| vines from being stressed. Wine making is not a | | | | If you plan on buying the fruit, then choose a |
| weekend project, it is a long-term commitment. It | | | | vineyard that allows you to pick your own grapes; |
| can be a hobby or a business venture, but the | | | | otherwise, some wine making supply stores sell a |
| end result is the same - pour an awesome glass | | | | fruit concentrate you can use. |
| of wine to share with family, friends or sell to the | | | | The Preparation Process |
| public. Failure to follow the necessary steps will | | | | Some of the equipment you will need for the |
| almost guarantee failure. | | | | wine making process are: Demijohns, fermentation |
| For someone who is persistent, doesn't mind | | | | locks, plastic funnels, trial jars, siphon tubes, and |
| getting their hands dirty, and does their research | | | | wine bottles with corks, fermentation bags, and |
| beforehand, making wine can be a fun hobby. It's | | | | hydrometer (used to make sure fermentation |
| a hobby that requires exact measurements, the | | | | process is complete). |
| best ingredients, following all the rules of sanitizing | | | | To add flavor and your special taste to the wine, |
| and sterilizing and not cutting corners with inferior | | | | you will need yeast, enzymes, wine tannin, acid |
| tools. Remember, something as small as an | | | | blend and campden tablets. |
| ill-fitting or re-used cork can destroy the "best | | | | Your recipe will dictate what ingredients are |
| wine ever made" by allowing air and bacteria into | | | | necessary and the exact measurement. Any |
| the batch. | | | | changes you make to the measurement should |
| Research is constantly being performed at each | | | | be recorded - exactly. By keeping excellent |
| phase of the wine making process. The | | | | records, the chances of making another great |
| knowledge gained from the research is shared as | | | | batch of wine are high as long as you use the |
| tips and techniques helping the hobbyist or | | | | same quality ingredients. |
| professional, produce the best grapes for making | | | | |