So you want to make wine?
Well congratulations! Winemaking is a skill which predates recorded history. If the historics of wine interests you, browse the short "History" section on this site.
Your reasons for making wine are many, we're sure. Perhaps it's the skyrocketing cost of wine. Perhaps it's the lack of quality or selection available in stores. Perhaps you are like us and like to know what the hell is really in the wine that you're drinking. Whatever.
There are two basic ways to begin making wine. One is to use a kit. This is a good, inexpensive, low risk way to learn to make your elixir of choice. Kits come in a variety of types and include instructions on how to make the wine.
The second way is to use real grapes. Much more challenging and expensive with less certain results (for the inexperienced) than a kit but the reward of a successful batch is beyond glee. Imagine someone complimenting your wine and you haughtily reply "Why yes. I made it myself. From grapes, of course." Oh, the gasps of awe and wonder. Admiration and respect. Talk of the town . . . I digress.
Beginners, we highly recommend - nay, insist that you make your first batch from a cheap wine kit unless, of course, your best buddy is an ancient vintner and has freely volunteered to help you each step of the way. Ask your local wine making store to sell you a beginner's package which will include the basic, absolute necessities for making your first batch of wine. Later, as you mature as a home vintner, you can buy all their doodads and trinkets that tempt your eyes and tease your pocket book.
If you plan to make wine from real grapes, you have our admiration and respect. Awe and wonder comes when you send us a bottle. First you need to track down a grape supplier then arrange to have the grapes shipped to you. Be warned that your supplier will give you an approximate delivery date. Grape harvesting is at the whim of the local weather conditions and when your supplier says they're ready now, they're ready NOW. There is no delaying so be prepared by making friends with someone who has a truck and a flexible schedule.
Overviews of making wine by kit or by grape are available under the "Techniques" section of this site so click over to that and remember to sip, not gulp.
Well congratulations! Winemaking is a skill which predates recorded history. If the historics of wine interests you, browse the short "History" section on this site.
Your reasons for making wine are many, we're sure. Perhaps it's the skyrocketing cost of wine. Perhaps it's the lack of quality or selection available in stores. Perhaps you are like us and like to know what the hell is really in the wine that you're drinking. Whatever.
There are two basic ways to begin making wine. One is to use a kit. This is a good, inexpensive, low risk way to learn to make your elixir of choice. Kits come in a variety of types and include instructions on how to make the wine.
The second way is to use real grapes. Much more challenging and expensive with less certain results (for the inexperienced) than a kit but the reward of a successful batch is beyond glee. Imagine someone complimenting your wine and you haughtily reply "Why yes. I made it myself. From grapes, of course." Oh, the gasps of awe and wonder. Admiration and respect. Talk of the town . . . I digress.
Beginners, we highly recommend - nay, insist that you make your first batch from a cheap wine kit unless, of course, your best buddy is an ancient vintner and has freely volunteered to help you each step of the way. Ask your local wine making store to sell you a beginner's package which will include the basic, absolute necessities for making your first batch of wine. Later, as you mature as a home vintner, you can buy all their doodads and trinkets that tempt your eyes and tease your pocket book.
If you plan to make wine from real grapes, you have our admiration and respect. Awe and wonder comes when you send us a bottle. First you need to track down a grape supplier then arrange to have the grapes shipped to you. Be warned that your supplier will give you an approximate delivery date. Grape harvesting is at the whim of the local weather conditions and when your supplier says they're ready now, they're ready NOW. There is no delaying so be prepared by making friends with someone who has a truck and a flexible schedule.
Overviews of making wine by kit or by grape are available under the "Techniques" section of this site so click over to that and remember to sip, not gulp.
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