Beginner Question on Strawberry Wine

[landellapiaries]

I am very new to making wine. I picked up a few "recipe" books from a bookstore, and one was for strawberry wine. There was nothing about sg in that, just how much of which ingredient to add. So here is what I have for a gallon batch.

4 lbs strawberries
2.5 lbs sugar
1 tsp tannin, nutrients, citric blend, and pectic enzyme

I just picked up a hydrometer today from a local wine store and measured the sq. 1.101... I added water to make a gallon in the primary and now it is 1.071. Does this sound ok? I still have the must in a fermentation bucket with the fruit.

 

[loumik]

Land,
I have never made strawberry wine so I'm not going to try to tell you how. Based on what I've read in this forum I will say that you are very short on lbs. of strawberry's and it's best not to add a predetermined amount of sugar. Enough sugar should be added to bring your SG to 1,080-1.090.

I would suggest you look in the recipe section of this forum and read some of the advice given by people who have been doing this for a long time.

LOUMIK

 

[Julie]

I am very new to making wine. I picked up a few "recipe" books from a bookstore, and one was for strawberry wine. There was nothing about sg in that, just how much of which ingredient to add. So here is what I have for a gallon batch.

4 lbs strawberries
2.5 lbs sugar
1 tsp tannin, nutrients, citric blend, and pectic enzyme

I just picked up a hydrometer today from a local wine store and measured the sq. 1.101... I added water to make a gallon in the primary and now it is 1.071. Does this sound ok? I still have the must in a fermentation bucket with the fruit.

Yes, it sounds ok but you will need to do a f-pack, the amount of strawberries you started with is not enough. The sg of 1.071 will give you a ABV of around 10%

 

[landellapiaries]

Julie-
thanks for the tips- I am looking up what an f-pack in now. Wish I knew I needed more strawberries from the start though as I followed the recipe to the T. Good to know for next time though!

 

[landellapiaries]

Land,
I have never made strawberry wine so I'm not going to try to tell you how. Based on what I've read in this forum I will say that you are very short on lbs. of strawberry's and it's best not to add a predetermined amount of sugar. Enough sugar should be added to bring your SG to 1,080-1.090.

I would suggest you look in the recipe section of this forum and read some of the advice given by people who have been doing this for a long time.

LOUMIK

Thanks for the tips. I was going out of a book called Making Wild Wines and Meads Now that I know about what SG is I will be sure to check out all the awesome recipes on this site!

 

[PCharles]

Re Strawberry Wine

Land,

4 lb will dowith 1 gallon, but I suggest you get 4-6 ripe bananas. Peal and boil um up. Strain the solids out. Add this along with the strawberries. The suggestions for the F-pak are good, but I didn't add one to mine... like it dry. My wife and I are very pleased... has sort of a rose taste.

Just a thought...

Best of luck with your wine,

Paul

 

[PCharles]

One more thing

I agree with Julie, 1.071 is low. Also plan for sediment. Making a single gallon recipie is tough... I'd make 1.5 gallons to end up with 1. You'll need something to top off with also. If you can up the size, you might have enough to hold seperately, which can be added later. You could also add something like brandy or another similar wine. I've also heard of folks adding something inert like marbels to bring the level up to the neck in the secondary.

I like to add brandy to my fruit wines.

Paul