beginner/ need help

[valentino]

Hey Hippie,



George told me you were the guy to talk to and I was wondering if you
could help me out. I have fresh grapes growing in my backyard and
I am pretty sure they are native american but am not sure. I also
am unsure when the best time to pick will be and this is just the
beginning.



Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Hippie]

LOL. That George is a dandy ain't he?


I need to know where you live and pics of the vines and grapes if possible.


Welcome to the forum.

 

[valentino]

I live in Dayton, OH



I will try to get you pics by tomorrow morning. The grapes are
Purple and they grow to about the size of a marble. They have
seeds and start out green but turn a dark purple to almost blue.



What is the easiest way to get you pictures.



If you would like you can reach me at 937-269-2380

 

[Hippie]

They are more than likely Concord. You need to taste them every day or better yet use a handheld refractometer to measure the sugar. If you have a hydrometer (basic winemaking tool) you can smash enough to get enough juice to test with it. A cup is plenty for most hydrometer jars.How muchdo you have?Do you have a weight estimate? You will need 20 pounds of them per gallon of finished wine you desire and will probably need to add sugar to the must. Have you ever made wine?

 

[valentino]

I have not made wine before, and I am not sure how much I have. I
have pictures that I can email to you if you would like. The pics
show the whole vine and then close ups of the grapes.

 

[Hippie]

Have you read anything about winemaking or done any studying on the basics of grape winemaking online? The first step in winemaking is obtaining knowledge. Google 'winemaking homepage' and read all Jack Keller's website. Go ahead and post pics on here if you can.

 

[valentino]

Is there an email address I could send them because the files are to large for this website.

 

[Hippie]

Yes. [email protected]

 

[valentino]

I sent you the pics, hope they helpout. I do appreciate the
help. I have a kit coming with all my equipment and additives as
well as a book with directions and recipes. I checked out the
site on google and it helped alot.



I have a grape press so do the directions assume you have a press or will i have to skip steps?

 

[Hippie]

The press is a good thang. A press in necessary if you have alot of grapes. You also need a way to crush the grapes before putting them in the press. You might can make a board to smash them with in a bucket or any way to break all the grapes open so the press can mash out the juice. The internet is your best tool for ideas. Search for pics also.

 

[valentino]

Hey Hippie,



Hope your weekend was good, we picked about half our
grapes. I am pretty convinced now that they are concord. We
are looking to have close to forty pounds. I went ahead and put
the picked ones into ziplock

bags and have them hanging out in the fridge. Should I freeze them until

the rest are ready to be picked or just leave them in the fridge.



Also, after I crush the grapes and remove the stems, I would then
press the grapes. After this step do I then take the leftover
skins and dump them into my bucket with the juice or pitch them?

 

[Hippie]

It depends on who you ask. Some say concord is best without the skin so that it has less 'foxy' flavor.

 

[valentino]

That makes since, do you think I should freeze or just keep my picked
grapes in the fridge. I am thinking the remaining grapes will be
another week before there ready.

 

[geocorn]

Freezing grapes is good for them as it helps to break down the skins,

 

[Hippie]

I agree. Go ahead and freeze them all. when they are completely thawed, they will juice all the much better. The entire batch should be frozen solid for at least 2 weeks for the full benefit.

 

[rshosted]

would you freeze any home grown grapes even cab sav or merlot? Or just do this to Concord?

Thx.

 

[geocorn]

Freezing fruit is good for all wines as it helps to break down the skins.