Hello from Alberta

[james_makes_plonk]

Hi all,


I've been making wine from kits for a few years and now I'm getting into making fruit wines from scratch. I have a few friends who are into homebrewing but they mostly do beer, so it would be nice to connect with some folks who understand the nuances of wine.

I read The Joy Of Home Winemaking by Terry Garey, and from that I did a few wines the other year: apple, cherry, grapefruit. Those first two weren't great. which was discouraging, but the grapefruit came out well enough I decided to apply what I learned from them and try again . I've got a raspberry and blueberry on the go right now and I'm looking forward to starting a strawberry next.

 

[Ohio Bob]

Welcome to WMT!

 

[winemaker81]

Welcome to WMT!

 

[ChuckD]

Welcome. Next time post your “recipe” in advance for some expert feedback. I use the quotations because it’s really a collection of ingredients and your process. The books post recipes because it’s easy for beginners but you soon learn that every wine is different.

 

[sour_grapes]

Welcome to WMT!

 

[james_makes_plonk]

Thanks all. And great idea @ChuckD.
I already figured out I used the wrong yeast for my blueberry.

 

[ChuckD]

Thanks all. And great idea @ChuckD.
I already figured out I used the wrong yeast for my blueberry.

I’m just finding out myself that yeast selection can make a huge difference in a wine. There is no wrong (unless you’re using bread yeast) just different taste. As my vineyard starts producing I intend to do a lot of yeast trials.

 

[Jovimaple]

Welcome to WMT!

 

[Rice_Guy]

Welcome to WMT

One of my favorite books for wine is The New Cider Makers Handbook. The reason is that Jolicour tells a lot of the why’s that are useful when one makes a fruit wine. For country wines I check pH and blend fruit to get under 3.5, can you check pH?

 

[David Violante]

Welcome to WMT!

 

[heatherd]

Welcome!

 

[james_makes_plonk]

Thank you for the book recommendation, @Rice_Guy. I don't currently have a ph meter, but I am looking into getting a decent one very soon.