Begginer at wine making...

[Commisso]

Hi my name is Mike and I am 23 years old. I enjoy drinking a good red wine and I have a friend and uncle that make their own wine. My fiance and I are going to purchase a wine making kit and take it up as a hobby. It would be a huge help if you can maybe lead me in the right direction to getting a good starter kit for a decent price. Also if you have and quick tips like any do's or don'ts that a newbie wouldn't know please fill me in. I look forward to starting my first batch soon, hear from you soon hopefully.

 

[roblloyd]

Welcome! If you have a local home brew place make a visit and see what they have and what they offer.
If you prefer mail order Wine Makers Toy Store (banner is usually right on the page) is a great place to get stuff from. George will help you with getting what you need to get started.

What kind of kit are you looking for? Big bold red? Quick easy drinking wine cooler type kit? Whites? Lots to choose from. I'd probably stay away from the big reds as your first batch since they need to age a year or more.

Equipment wise you will need:
primary bucket
6 gallon carboy
hydrometer
bottles
corks
corker (floor type is best)
siphon hoses (auto-siphon is my recommendation)
thermometer
some sanitizing stuff (potassium metabisulphite - k-meta seems to be the choice around here)
patience
patience

Enjoy the start of an obsession!

 

[Commisso]

thank you very much... I am not sure what kind of kit I am looking for. I just want a kit where It takes about two months and then i can drink it. I prefer red wine and something fairly easy for a begginner

 

[Julie]

Hi Mike,

Welcome to winemakingtalk. You could make an Island Mist kit or an Orchard Breezin kit. Theses are quick drinkers but they are more on the cooler type wines. They do have some really good flavors.

 

[Runningwolf]

I would suggest calling Gearge at http://www.finevinewines.com/ . He will lead you in the right direction and his prices are very good.

Welcome to the forum and feel free to ask questions anytime. We'll be happy to walk you through anything.

 

[BobF]

Aside from the great advice you've already been given, I have a more general suggestion.

Get yourself a red mist kit and the gear you need to do the kit. Once you get the kit into the carboy, think about what you did. If you enjoyed the process, get more equipment and a higher end kit that matches the style you like.

I suggest this b/c a higher end kit will need 12-24 months to be really good. If you wait, then 12 months from now you'll be wishing you had started the kit 12 months ago.

Once this kit has been in the carboy for ~3 months, get another carboy and kit and start another one.

Repeat the above until there is no horizontal space left in your home.

This is the quickest way to ensure you always have enough of your own wine to drink.

 

[roblloyd]

Repeat the above until there is no horizontal space left in your home.

How true. I've been thinking of where else I can put up some racks without the wife saying something.

Now if I can just find a way to hide carboys? No, lamp shades won't work. Might have to start using my office.

Try some Skeeter Pee too. That' brews quick, easy to make, and is ready for drinking very soon.

 

[ibglowin]

Welcome aboard Commisso! Warning: The smell of fermenting grape juice is about as addicting as it gets!

 

[wvbrewer]

Welcome to the group... Yes if you want a quick drinking kit a Orchard Breezin or other Mist type kit would be a good place to start. I have made a few with no problems, and they tast pretty good.

Dave

 

[Minnesotamaker]

Welcome to the forum. Lots of really good information here. Good luck with the new venture.