Fortifying blueberry to a port?

[Bliorg]

Hi All -

I know this can be done, and I'm vaguely clear on the steps, but need a bit more definition before I try this. I just racked 6 gallons of blueberry wine, which fermented to 0.990, and would like to take a couple gallons and fortify to a port. This was made with the frozen wild blueberries available at Costco. I have another 4 pound bag (and can get more) I reserved with the intention of making an f-pack.

So what's the correct process here? Make the f-pack with sugar, then do I add this to the wine in carboy, or move the wine back to a primary for this addition? How long does this sit together? When do I fortify? Sorbate before, or is the fortification done at the same time as the f-pack so the ethanol makes sorbate unnecessary?

Really, any help on the timing of this, or any pointers to the right resources, would be appreciated. I've read a ton of threads but it's all jumbled in my head. I'm not a huge port fan, but my wife is, and I'd like to surprise her with something special.

Thanks,
Scott

 

[Bliorg]

Alright, here'z what I'mma do: I'm getting a couple 3 gallon carboys. The wine is a bit less than 6 gallons right now. Will rack off 2+ gallons to a bucket, add an f-pack, mix, immediately fortify to ~20% ABV, mix, then rack to a 3 gallon carboy. Will try to make the additions such that it finishes off at about 3 gallons, probably around 1.010. Let settle and age. No need for sorbate. Rack the other 3 gallons to the other carboy and age. Probably oak both - I have 8 oz of medium+ Hungarian cubes. Let clarify over winter, rack as needed, then bottle off sometime in the spring.

 

[sour_grapes]

I think that sounds like a solid plan.

 

[Vinobeau]

What are you using to fortify? I usually use a brandy. A suggestion - you might consider laying up a few bottles with SG around 1.02 and try them in 5 - 10 years.

 

[Bliorg]

Okay, I'm so beyond happy with how this worked out. I fortified with 151 Everclear (which I'm amazed they sell in PA). Wanted to minimize dilution, and am not a fan of brandy. Made an f-pack with 4 pounds of the frozen wild blueberries, ended up with a little over a quart of juice reduced down by about 2/3. Had a bit under 6 gallons of the blueberry wine to start. Racked off 3 gallons to one carboy. Started racking the rest to a graduated 5 gallon bucket. Added the f-pack, sugar to 1.020, and 1200 mL Everclear, per Pearson's square. Continued racking to a little over 3 gallons. Stirred thoroughly to dissolve the sugar. Mixed in pectic enzyme - the internet is back and forth on whether blueberries are high in pectin, so no harm no foul. Racked to another 3 gallon carboy. Both carboys got 2 ounces of medium+ French oak cubes. The port has a really nice flavor now, but will need time to integrate. Will let it sit on oak until maybe April then see where we are. May need a little more sweetening. Alcohol is a bit over 20% per my calcs, so I'm not sorbating, unless I start seeing some activity in the airlock.

Best part is my son, home from college, helped with the whole endeavor. Wonderful day.

 

[Boatboy24]

I did a port from blueberries in 2013 and still have a case of 500ml bottles left, along with a few 375's. It turned out great, but I haven't had any in a year and a half. Just put some in the fridge to chill. I'm sure you'll enjoy this one over time.

 

[Bliorg]

Bottling day!
Blueberry Port 2019 by Scott, on Flickr

Ended up, after conservative racking off sediment and filtering, at twenty six and a partial 375 mL bottles. Sat on oak for about 2.5 months, has a really nice flavor. Needs to integrate for a while, but glad I used Everclear - brandy would have overpowered the blueberry. It's a nice wine, and my wife (who's the port drinker) is happy. My daughter helped with the bottling, which is always fun. Will finish off the partial bottle in a few days, then will let this sit for a good while. And have port glasses on order.

 

[T-Boy]

I just fortified a gallon of blueberry wine that I made with some blueberry moonshine:
https://www.totalwine.com/spirits/w...hine-blueberry/p/135104750?s=521&igrules=true

Came out great. I let the wine age for about a year before fortifying

 

[hounddawg]

I just fortified a gallon of blueberry wine that I made with some blueberry moonshine:
https://www.totalwine.com/spirits/w...hine-blueberry/p/135104750?s=521&igrules=true

Came out great. I let the wine age for about a year before fortifying

dose blueberry hide the rocket fuel taste?
the only blueberry i ever messed with is the DDDB variant of 1/3 blueberry,,, 1/3 black raspberry,,, 1/3 tart cherry that i have yet to bottle,,,,
Dawg

 

[DizzyIzzy]

Alright, here'z what I'mma do: I'm getting a couple 3 gallon carboys. The wine is a bit less than 6 gallons right now. Will rack off 2+ gallons to a bucket, add an f-pack, mix, immediately fortify to ~20% ABV, mix, then rack to a 3 gallon carboy. Will try to make the additions such that it finishes off at about 3 gallons, probably around 1.010. Let settle and age. No need for sorbate. Rack the other 3 gallons to the other carboy and age. Probably oak both - I have 8 oz of medium+ Hungarian cubes. Let clarify over winter, rack as needed, then bottle off sometime in the spring.

What will you fortify it with?..........................Dizzy

 

[DizzyIzzy]

I just fortified a gallon of blueberry wine that I made with some blueberry moonshine:
https://www.totalwine.com/spirits/w...hine-blueberry/p/135104750?s=521&igrules=true

Came out great. I let the wine age for about a year before fortifying

T-boy, I was hopeful when I read your post. Unfortunately blueberry moonshine cannot be shipped to Ohio............DARN!..........................Dizzy

 

[hounddawg]

T-boy, I was hopeful when I read your post. Unfortunately blueberry moonshine cannot be shipped to Ohio............DARN!..........................Dizzy

as well as moonshine talk is forbidden talk on this site
Dawg

 

[Bliorg]

Dawg, I may be interpreting it wrong, but I thought the rules against discussion of shine is aimed at production. What Dizzy is talking about is a brand, commercially produced product. Not sure those rules apply.

Dizzy, I used Everclear to fortify. I detected no harshness in the final wine. Additionally the Everclear produced less dilution than brandy or a lower proof product would have. YMMV; I know Everclear isn’t universally available. I’m still astounded that, with the ridiculous state system we have in PA, they sell it here.

 

[hounddawg]

Dawg, I may be interpreting it wrong, but I thought the rules against discussion of shine is aimed at production. What Dizzy is talking about is a brand, commercially produced product. Not sure those rules apply.

Dizzy, I used Everclear to fortify. I detected no harshness in the final wine. Additionally the Everclear produced less dilution than brandy or a lower proof product would have. YMMV; I know Everclear isn’t universally available. I’m still astounded that, with the ridiculous state system we have in PA, they sell it here.

no i read it wrong you read it right, i did not know they sold a legal version of something called blueberry moonshine, thank you for setting me right,,, and i too use everclear, pure grain alcohol PGA, and gem clear, all 3 are the same, pure grain alcohol,,
Dawg

 

[billybigcreek]

Love all the discussions on blueberry port. I make a blueberry port. I fortify with 134 proof brandy. I make an extra 350 gallons of muscadine wine each year and then have a local distillery extract the alcohol off. Every year is a little different on the proof but the taste is a phenomenal. I usually add enough back to come out to a 40 proof blueberry port and add enough sugar to hide the alcohol taste. Works great. Not need for sorbate. Also make a peach port. Going to make one more from blackberry and have a trio. Cheers everyone.

 

[DizzyIzzy]

Bottling day!
Blueberry Port 2019 by Scott, on Flickr

Ended up, after conservative racking off sediment and filtering, at twenty six and a partial 375 mL bottles. Sat on oak for about 2.5 months, has a really nice flavor. Needs to integrate for a while, but glad I used Everclear - brandy would have overpowered the blueberry. It's a nice wine, and my wife (who's the port drinker) is happy. My daughter helped with the bottling, which is always fun. Will finish off the partial bottle in a few days, then will let this sit for a good while. And have port glasses on order.

Those bottles look so pretty! I love the blue shrink wrap which blends so nicely with the label......very tatefully done! Your wife's idea? LOL I have ordered cobalt blue bottles to bottle my blueberry port.............................Dizzy

 

[DizzyIzzy]

Dawg, I may be interpreting it wrong, but I thought the rules against discussion of shine is aimed at production. What Dizzy is talking about is a brand, commercially produced product. Not sure those rules apply.

Dizzy, I used Everclear to fortify. I detected no harshness in the final wine. Additionally the Everclear produced less dilution than brandy or a lower proof product would have. YMMV; I know Everclear isn’t universally available. I’m still astounded that, with the ridiculous state system we have in PA, they sell it here.

Bliorg, her in Ohio I have not found Everclear, per se, but I did find 151 proof vodka. Same? Similar?............................Dizzy

 

[Bliorg]

Those bottles look so pretty! I love the blue shrink wrap which blends so nicely with the label......very tatefully done! Your wife's idea? LOL I have ordered cobalt blue bottles to bottle my blueberry port.............................Dizzy

Hi Izzy -

Thanks! I usually do all the label and bottle design myself, but my daughter generally advises (or at least approves) on the capsules. I like the cobalt bottles, but haven't found the right wine to put in them. The blueberry port would be a good one!

Scott

 

[Bliorg]

Bliorg, her in Ohio I have not found Everclear, per se, but I did find 151 proof vodka. Same? Similar?............................Dizzy

Proof-wise it's the same as what we get for Everclear locally. However, I am NOT the one to ask - vodka is not my thing. Maybe someone else here can advise on the flavor profile with a really strong vodka?

 

[T-Boy]

Sorry if I created any confusion. If you go to my original post I provide a link to where I legally purchased the Blueberry Moonshine from Total Wine while visiting my brother and son in Houston Texas. Certainly don't want the gubment knocking on my front door.