A few tips for beginners

[Arne]

First a tip from Tom. Have patience. As a general rule, things happen pretty slowly when you are making wine, especially your first batches. You are ready for things to happen and they just take time.
Second, when starting a primary, make sure your primary container is big enough. If you get it close to the top, there is a good chance it will overflow when your ferment gets going. You can help with the cleanup if this happens by placing your primary in a container of some kind to catch the mess. Tubs, trays, or I like to set it in a large garbage bag just kinda spread out around the base of the primary. Saves some nasty cleanup time.
Third when buying supplies, pick up an extra hydrometer and learn to use them. There is a sticky for using hydrometers at the top of the beginners forum.
Fourth, don't be intiminated by the wine process. It is actually pretty simple don't let it scare you. We have all been there and if you have problems, don't be afraid to ask for help.
There are many other things, but I will let others add to this as they think of them. Arne.

 

[Rocky]

Excellent points by Arne.

I would add that not only is the wine making process relatively simple, it is also fairly forgivng. If you do something "wrong" you have a number of chances to "undo" most things. It is not like disarming a bomb!

Secondly, even though it is a simple process, you still have to do all the "simple" steps. Here is a concept that was relatively foreign to me, Read the directions. Also, "plan the work and work the plan!" Get everything ready for the step you are performing and have it ready and at hand when needed.

As you make more wine, become more adventuresome and try some new things, like adding raisins for more body, adding a complementary fruit for a background flavor, adding citrus zest or pure fruit extracts. If you saw the original "Karate Kid" movie, you may remember the scene when Mr. Miagi was teaching Daniel how to train a Bonsai tree. He said, "Picture in you mind and make like picture" or words to that effect. Do the same thing with your wine. Imagine the taste, body and color you want and then "make like image."

 

[BobF]

Another tip: Start making wine when you're young so by the time you're Wade's^H^H^H^H^H^H old, you'll have enough to drink!

 

[Rocky]

Real good point, Bob. I do not age my wines as long as they should because of my age. I know that the wine will be better, smoother, tastier, etc. I just want to be sure I am here to taste it!

 

[Wiz]

Gee Rocky, you put into words exactly my philosophy on making wines.

 

[Wade E]

Read the directions on the product you are about to use twice and then make sure you add that product!!! LOL So many times we hear "I added this by accident instead of this.

 

[closetwine]

Just because it's the NUMBER 1 issue for newbies, I repeat.....


HAVE PATIENCE... The rest really will fall into place!

 

[Minnesotamaker]

When first starting out.... if you get that "gut feeling" that you should start another batch..... DO IT! You can't make enough wine when starting out.... your equipment is limited as is your bottled inventory. You'll be eager to share with friends and relatives. It took me 5 years to get to a point where I had enough inventory that I could relax when making a batch.

 

[diggerdan17]

Make sure you degas your wine, too many newbies drink slightly carbonated wine, I sure did.

Degassing must be done at 74 degrees or it else it takes forever and a day.

And if you think your wine is okay to degass because your house is at 72 degrees, WRONG. your wine will be 2-3 degrees colder than the room temp is, get a heating pad on it or better yet buy a brew belt.

And if you think this temperature thing is all a bunch of hooey then think again and TRUST me on getting your wine up to at least 74 degrees.

 

[chevs15]

@Rocky... Adding raisins or other fruits?? Can this be done to wine from a kit? Can you explain this please?

 

[Arne]

@Rocky... Adding raisins or other fruits?? Can this be done to wine from a kit? Can you explain this please?

Sure it can. If you are just starting out tho, I would suggest if making kits, follow the directions that come with it. After you do a couple and you are comfortable with how things go, then you can start doing a little expermenting. Very little of this wine making stuff is set in stone. Most of what we try and help people on here with is what we have learned makes a good wine. None of it is the only way, just some ways are a little or a lot better than others. Good luck with your wines, Arne.

 

[wvbrewer]

Good tips, you can go wrong following them. Patience is a good thing to have, too bad my wife has none. LOL