EXCITED Free Cherries

[jkrug]

I am receiving free cherries from a relative. I have a few questions though.
1. How do you freeze them? Pitted unpitted?
2. Dow have to pit them when using?
3. How many pounds should be used per gallon?
4. Is there a recipe that someone can send me?

Thanks in advance for the responses.

 

[Julie]

yes freeze them, and you don't have to pit but it would be better if they were pitted. you can press them more thoroughly if they are pitted. freeze then add pectic enzyme once they have defrosted, k-meta, nutrient and some tannin. the packages should have the dose to use, wait 24 hours and add the yeast, i would use lavlin 1122. use at least 5 pounds of cherries per gallon, more if you have it

 

[Julie]

and enough sugar to bring sg to 1.080 - 1.090

 

[Turock]

Are these sweet or sour cherries?

It's a good idea to pit them, then freeze. The pits can give some bitter components to the wine.

We never use recipes because recipes don't give a good result due to the amount of water used. Consider 10 pounds per gallon and make your chemistry additions based on that. Use no water. Take pre-ferment PH readings and adjust as needed. We like a PH of 3.4

Don't be afraid to ask more questions if you need to.

 

[WVMountaineerJack]

If your guys get you both sweet and sour cherries so much the better to make a mix of them. A little tannins in there, like from a small addition of oak does nice things in cherry. 100% cherry juice is the way to go for the best wine. WVMJ

 

[Duster]

Great score,
You can look through the recipe section on this form or check out Jack Kellers website for a recipe.
If you are short on fruit for preferred amount of must, may I recommend mixing them with a red, I prefer Chancellor but I have only blended cherries with chancellor or concord.
You can keep them frozen until fall or use some concentrate from home winery http://www.homewinery.com/cgi-bin/concen.cgi



Sent from my iPhone using Wine Making Talk App

 

[jkrug]

What is the quickest way too pit them? I am getting about 30 pds.

 

[Duster]

What is the quickest way too pit them? I am getting about 30 pds.

[ame]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=19Z2T2ECyZA&autoplay=1[/ame]

The paper clip method would be my choice but will take some practice

Sent from my iPhone using Wine Making Talk App

 

[jkrug]

Damn the bad luck. My relative texted me a few mins ago and said the birds stripped the cherries clean from the trees. Maybe next year.

 

[Julie]

Damn the bad luck. My relative texted me a few mins ago and said the birds stripped the cherries clean from the trees. Maybe next year.

tell him to get an owl decoy and when they start to get ripe, put the owl out there then you might be able to get some cherries. I have two cherry trees and every year it is a fight with the birds to get the cherries but since we put the owl decoy out, I seem to be winning, well that is if the frost doesn't get them first!!!!