Beginner questions

[Snipersunset]

Hi all,

Sorry if these have already been asked, and bet they have. I've had a look through the search but can't find what I'm looking for.

First off what is the 'bible' of wine making or is there more than one book that people would recommend. What equipment and supplies do I need? I have equipment for beer brewing so I probably have some of the kit already. Also what would people suggest as a good and quick beginners recipe to try first so I can appease SWMBO!!

Also if anyone has any good pointers or info on any aspects of wine making then please feel free to throw them my way

Cheers

Mase

[6470zzy]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Steps-Win ... Winemaking

This is a decent enough book I think.

[Snipersunset]

Cheers Olly, I've heard something about sugar quantities being off, is that true?

Cheers
Mase

[liamtmt7]

I'm kinda in your boat sniper - plenty of AG beer equipment but never tried making wine. Would be worthwhile I think, and dwffo good to try out!

[nursebetty]

I think wine making is simpler than beer making
Just found something online this morning so will post link
fivegallonideas.com/1-minute-wine-recipe

[lord.president]

I've used that book,and I've won the county show with my apple wine 2 years running,and also the bramble last year,so they can't be that bad!
But yes, theoretically there is too much sugar= too much alcohol,too dry. You can fanny about with the recipes to get the exact amount of sugar in it,using a hydrometer when you've got the must ready and before the yeast. I can't for the life of me remember how,mind, but I'm sure if you Google it,something will come up.

I do boil,sugar-into bucket,cool,Campden tablet (for a few days) Pectolase for a few days,yeast nutrient + yeast. (Young's super)
Leave for a few days,then into demi john,to ferment out. DON'T PUT IT IN AN AIRING CUPBOARD! Room temperature is fine. Any extra is kept in a sterilised beer bottle with a cotton wool plug on.
Rack into another demi john when nearly done,add the surplus from the bottle to top up. I sometimes add a small pinch of yeast,just to clean up any sugars. Leave it out of the way somewhere and forget about it for 6 months, though do check the air lock has water in it now and again. If it's a red wine,keep it dark (cupboard/garage)

When I bottle,I do it through a Harris Vinebrite filter,straight into the bottle, though they're designed for filtering into another demi john. You won't believe sometimes foul smelling murky soup of a few months ago is the same as the bright wine you've just bottled. Patience.

[lord.president]

I think wine making is simpler than beer making
Just found something online this morning so will post link
fivegallonideas.com/1-minute-wine-recipe

Yeah,but you don't have to pick your own ingredients for beer! That's part of the appeal for me. 1/2 stone brambles,some pink fingers and scratches for weeks,last August Bank Holiday. I'm sure our local brambles are in a protection racket with our local nettles,too........

[jaroporter]

to be fair, the book does give detailed information for the process of adding/calculating the exact amount of sugar you want/need in a wine, so it's not neccessary to absolutely follow the recipes. fruit sugar contents would vary between harvests, let alone with modern farming methods probably..

[GAZ9053]

[Snipersunset]

Thanks all some good info there. I've just done my first wine kit as someine gave me a 30 bottle wilkos kit. I'll pick that book up and try making some wine from that as I'm not holding out much hope for the wilkos kit, wine in 21 days seems optimistic!!

Cheers

[Brewhunter]

Thanks all some good info there. I've just done my first wine kit as someine gave me a 30 bottle wilkos kit. I'll pick that book up and try making some wine from that as I'm not holding out much hope for the wilkos kit, wine in 21 days seems optimistic!!

Cheers

You might be surprised you can make great wine from a kit in here weeks
I've always found the white kits to be better than the reds though

[nursebetty]

I think wine making is simpler than beer making
Just found something online this morning so will post link
fivegallonideas.com/1-minute-wine-recipe

Yeah,but you don't have to pick your own ingredients for beer! That's part of the appeal for me. 1/2 stone brambles,some pink fingers and scratches for weeks,last August Bank Holiday. I'm sure our local brambles are in a protection racket with our local nettles,too........

True, unless you use a kit or get family members to pick for you

[nursebetty]

I have to say the White wine from The Range has had a few good votes from friends and family