| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Huckelberrywine |
Posted - Jun 09 2007 : 08:50:09 AM
One of my hobbies is winemaking. Have any of you ladies tried it? I have certain annual favorites, like pomegranate and dandelion (didn't get to harvest them this year though) and then others that don't go over as well. Last summer we visited a fruit-winery on Vancouver Island and that recharged my hope that making wine from other-than-grapes wasn't so weird. What are some of your stories? What do you think of other-than-grape wines?
We make a difference. |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| OregonGal |
Posted - Jun 10 2007 : 11:18:36 AM
I've made my own personal wine. I've made wine using wild black raspberries (my favorite), red raspberries, wild gooseberries, blackberries, and made a batch of mead (honey wine) and last year tried wild plum wine. I think its all very good. I don't have any fancy equipment, just kind of improvise, and follow a recipe from off the internet or a recipe from my one of my books. I don't use a hygrometer, or saccrometer, just kind of wing it (not buying a bunch of equipment, but using what I have handy here at home) while following the recipe and really come out with some delicious tasting wines - well good enough for me. I do use the wine yeasts, because if I drink wine made with natural yeasts from the wild and the berries, the wine gives me a headache. So I kill all natural yeasts with sulfites, and then use a special wine yeast for fermenting. I also use whatever additives the recipe calls for, which I can buy at the wine supply store. I think my homemade wine has alot of flavor and that's what i really like about it. I have thought about making dandelion wine but so far have not done it - we had a bumper crop of them this year, but I didn't take advantage of it - but there will be more next year. |
| Huckelberrywine |
Posted - Jun 10 2007 : 09:54:16 AM
I think my next step is to take classes. I'd like to find out what it takes to go professional, as a second income. Not that I'm there yet, but knowledge will help me with my decisions.
I found a guy named Jack Keller has a great website for anyone to get started. He explains everything and has an exhaustive recipe list. I have found that it can be expensive unless you use homegrown produce.
www.geocities.com/NapaValley/1172/
Judith...I am officially out of dandelion wine. :( If you know of any organic dandelions in bloom, maybe we could make a batch together? Mine are all wishes now, not enough blooms left to harvest...takes 2 or 3 quarts of petals for a gallon. E-mail me. :)
We make a difference. |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Jun 10 2007 : 07:06:28 AM
My dad is taking a wine making program at a local university. They have already entered into an agreement with a local winery to plant and grow grapes on their property. With my dads help they will create a special vintage for my mom nd dads bed and breakfast! (www.orchardhousebb.com) How cool is that!
Jewelry, art, baskets, etc.
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com |
| TheSoapMaven |
Posted - Jun 09 2007 : 3:29:03 PM
Husband and I would LOVE to make wine. He comes from a long line of winemakers (see my blog for a little story about it)! If I knew how I would! We drink a lot of wine...well not a lot I guess - with meals - traditions you know! So could you recommend where to start???
Susan
http://www.thesoapmaven.com
http://notquitejunecleaver.com
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| MariaAZ |
Posted - Jun 09 2007 : 11:31:45 AM
I've not tried winemaking yet, though it's on my list of things to try. I DO brew beer though, and hear that one can make wine in higher temps than beer. Around here (in the desert), beer brewing is out for the summer.
Visit my blog at www.craftyfool.net |
| JudyBlueEyes |
Posted - Jun 09 2007 : 10:05:58 AM
Well, I am jealous of your dandelion wine that you gave to Mary Jane! I have had an obsession to make it since I read Ray Bradbury's book when I was a teenager...and living in San Diego for a long time, just couldn't find enough "virgin" dandelions to harvest...everyone just murders them like they were criminals down there. Well, about 5 years ago, I visited my friends in Ohio in the Spring, and there were _fields_ of the lovely yellow darlings all over...I was going nuts. So on the way to the airport for my trip home, I asked my friends if we could stop and pick a mess of dandelions so I could get them home and make some wine. I had gotten a recipe off the web when I was at her house. So we did. I have pictures, but not online. So there I was with my carry-on bag full of dandelions, and at my two layovers, I was busy picking the yellow petals off the stems...so I'd be ready to get them soaking when I got home at about 9 PM...well, as luck would have it, that was a particularly cool Spring in San Diego, so I don't think my "mash" (not the right word I know, but...) got warm enough for the yeast to work and although I finally bottled up some wine and even sent it to my friend, I don't think it was quite right. Now that I am in Spokane, there are plenty of dandelions and I _will_ get my wine made...someday. But I have had other than grape wines - my mom made peach brandy one year when they had a bumper crop and she got tired of making jam and freezing for pies. Would love to try your wares sometime - maybe trade for some homemade soap? And you're not weird - you're just a FarmGirl! Judy
We come from the earth, we go back to the earth, and in between, we garden! |
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