Tips for Successful Wine Making At Home

Oct. 3, 2009 - PRLog -- Successful winemaking at home is an achievement that brings much satisfaction and pride as well as supplies us with excellent quality wines at very reasonable cost. You can achieve success with your home winemaking by following this very simple four-step formula.

Step One - Successful homemade wine can be achieved if the basic standards are in place. You should ensure that you have at your disposal all the correct equipment that is specially produced for winemaking.

You should also ensure that the proper hygiene protocols are strictly observed. Your carboys, funnels, tubes, bottles etc must all be completely sterile before use.  It is a good practice to have hospital clean hands and your working environment should also be pristine clean. Throughout the winemaking process monitor room temperature and humidity and regulate it when necessary.

These factors will affect the fermenting process as well as the successful maturation of your homemade wine once it is stored. By making sure you have the correct tools and proper environment you have completed the first step toward successful winemaking at home.

Step Two - The second step in the formula to successful home winemaking is good quality ingredients. Fruit juice should be free of preservatives and contaminants. The easiest and safest option is to use commercially available frozen concentrate for winemaking.

These products do not contain preservatives and the fruit has been specially selected and prepared by experts.  If however you prefer to use your own fruit then you should ensure that it is prepared properly.

Select ripe fruit that is free of bruises and rotten patches. Fruit should be thoroughly washed and some recipes advocate sterilizing before use.  Some fruit will require you to remove the skins before pressing others, like grapes; can be pressed with the skin on. Twigs and leaves and all seeds except the smallest ones should be removed.

The best sugar for winemaking is granulated white and you should stick to this for successful results with home winemaking. The right yeast is also an essential ingredient.  A good wine yeast that has been activated as stipulated by the instructions on the packet will also contribute to your success.

If your recipe calls for Campden tablets, grape tannin or pectin enzymes, you should use them to ensure the ultimate success of your homemade wine.

Step Three - This crucial step toward successful winemaking at home is enabling the proper fermentation and racking of your must.  The first fermenting will take approximately three to ten days.

You should be keeping an eye on sugar levels during this stage. If the hydrometer reading of your must is too high, add more water, if too low then add more sugar.

If you do everything right then your yeast will convert the sugar to alcohol.   Primary fermentation is complete when and all the carbon dioxide has been emitted.

Carefully rack the wine into your secondary carboy. Do not be tempted to siphon the wine too low because you want to avoid any sediment entering the new container.

Step Four - The final step in this formula for successful home winemaking is to foster the discipline of patience.

Good winemaking is truly an exercise in delayed gratification.

Do not be tempted to interfere with the wine prematurely.

Allow passage of time to work its magic on your creation so that when you eventually pour out your carefully crafted vintage, it does live up to all your expectations.

For more information on how you too can make your own delicious homemade wine, visit:

http://www.homemadewinemakers.com

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Learn how to make your own stunning homemade wines even if you are an absolute beginner. Visit http://www.homemadewinemakers.com for a complete guide on making your own wine from home.