Topic: from scratch please

[daveandtara]

we have just been given some demijohns.
having never made wine before and knowing naff all about it, we wondered if there might be a really easy, unlikely to explode, foolproof, tastes nice recipe for the slightly dense, absolute beginner  ::)
dave

[jennym]

Here's my contibution on rhubarb wine:
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/yabbse/index.php/topic,13488.0.html

[Derekthefox]

You will notice there are variants on that recipe ... That is what they are, variants, you choose which you prefer to follow.

Rhubarb is possibly the easiest of the allotment wines. It is also delightful, chilled right down and served on a summer evening ...

You will be hooked you know ...

My personal tip. Put the wine into plastic pop bottles. There is nothing to break, and they are easy to throw in the freezer for chilling ...

[derbex]

Try http://www.thewinepages.org.uk/begin.htm for an idiot's guide.

Masses more on http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/index.asp

Jeremy

[Derekthefox]

Useful links there derbex ...

Dave, don't forget to keep us updated ...

[cleo]

Tips for an absolute beginner?

Patience. Expect some failures.  Make some stuff that is alcoholic and sort of tastes OK to go on with.

Learn-read books-CJJ Berry is good but then go on to find books by Peter Duncan and Bryan Acton.

I know those were years ago but if I ever started again they would hold me in good stead.


And for those `moments` later on as you know the ropes don`t be afraid to spend a shilling or two-for (in todays terms) £1.50 a bottle for something you would spend a tenner on?

[derbex]

Cleanliness is next to godliness -make sure everything is clean and preferably sterilised -however you wish to do it.

Jeremy

[Derekthefox]

Yes, something that is often forgot is the stirring spoon, I flash mine (stainless steel) through the gas flame before using it to stir in the bucket. I always use a close fitting lid on my bucket rather than a cloth or tea towel as well.

[derbex]

I use a wooden one, wet it and bung it in the microwave for a few secs to get steaming hot -no gas flame.

Jeremy

[boris]

Cleanliness is next to godliness -make sure everything is clean and preferably sterilised -however you wish to do it.

Jeremy

Can't emphasise this enough. No point spending all the time , energy on home winemaking if you don't sterilise your equipment.

[daveandtara]

thank for all your advice folks,
we have an old babies steam steiliser thingy for small stuff.
please, which is the best way to steralise buckets/demijons etc without getting a bleach taste?
Dave

[Derekthefox]

I just pour a splash of boiling water in and carefully rinse it around ...

[derbex]

Probably good enough Derek, but personally I use Sodium Metabisulphite (Campden tabs), perhaps with some citric acid to get the gas out into the bucket. Depends on what it's been used for before.

Best to do it outdoors.

If you don't use the acid you can store the sterilising solution for another time.

Jeremy