Hello From Iowa!

[Lost40Vinter]

Hello to all. I am new to winemaking as a maker. My Family has made wine in the past (I was a child then), but I inherited some of my Granfather's equipment and also purchased a 6 gallon kit online. My goal is to make the 6 gallon kit and see how it works out. Then I plan on making some 1 gallon batches from concentrate juice from your super-whatever store until I find what I like. I do have access to wild blackberries, so I will try them once they are in season. I joined the forum to gain knowlege from people that have gone through this before to see what to expect.

 

[Runningwolf]

Welcome Lost. Nice to have you here and feel free to ask questions as you venture into this new hobby.

 

[Julie]

Hi Lost40Vinter,

welcome to winemakingtalk

 

[Brian]

welcome! This is a great place for information. Glad you could join us!

 

[Redtrk]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Flem]

You came to the right place---welcome!

 

[Wade E]

Welcome to our forum lost 40!

 

[corntassel]

welcome to the forum lost. I live in Allerton Iowa 10 miles from Mo. line center of the state.

 

[Lost40Vinter]

Thanks for all the Welcomes!

I just started the finishing prossess of my first batch of wine EVER. I have a White Zinfendel kit that I started earlier this month. I added the powders from the kit (potassim, sparkaloid, F-Pack, etc.) I topped the carboy off with a bottle of blackberry wine from the Amana colonies and a 1.5 bottles of water to get the level just about 2" from the stopper. The wine has a very deep purple color right now and I am anxious to try some later this summer. I had a bottle of Berringer White Zinfendel a week ago and it was very light in color, not as full of flavor as I hoped, and a little dry. I seem to be used to sweeter tasting wines. I purchased some 1 gallon equipment and plan on experimenting with smaller batches. I did see on this forum a recipe for "Skeeter Pee". I had a "what the heck is that" moment about the name, but looks intersting. I have had a friend ask me if I was going to make orange wine. I have never had a citrus wine and don't know what to expect from them. I could use some imput from previous drinkers of this Skeeter Pee.

 

[Minnesotamaker]

................ I did see on this forum a recipe for "Skeeter Pee". I had a "what the heck is that" moment about the name, but looks intersting. I have had a friend ask me if I was going to make orange wine. I have never had a citrus wine and don't know what to expect from them. I could use some imput from previous drinkers of this Skeeter Pee.

welcome. If you haven't been to the website yet, check it out. Skeeter Pee The recipe is there and there's lots of info on the FAQ tab.

This forum also has a lot of discussion on the finer points of Pee production. Skeeter Pee Threads on this Forum

 

[jtstar]

Welcome to the forum Iowa neighbor I am to the west across the river in Nebraska you have just began a learning adventure enjoy

 

[midwestwine]

Welcome from another Iowan. Skeeter pee is awesome a great summer drink.

 

[Lost40Vinter]

The Skeeter Pee website was pretty awesome! Now I'm going to have to make a gallon trial batch to see if we like it.

 

[Brian]

Just my two cents... If you like lemonaide you will like SP. I am on my third batch and I have given away just about all of my first 2 batches and people love it. Do yourself a favor and make the 5 gal batch.. You will not be sorry..

 

[Lost40Vinter]

I am expecting a shipment of yeast, sorbate, campden, PH strips, Etc. so that I can make some wine from recipies from scratch. I am going to make a 1 gallon apricot batch and use the goodies from the primary to start a batch of the mutch touted Pee. My wife and I used to make a drink in the summer with pink lemonade and wilderberry schnops. I also enjoy whiskey sours, so the Pee might be right up our alley. I have heard from some of my friends around here that they like a wine made from oranges. Might have to try that one too. I posted a question in another area in here about testing for ph and testing for acid. Do I need to get an acid tester?

 

[rob]

welcome, there are a lot of us Iowans on here, i am from eastern iowa, go Hawks

 

[Minnesotamaker]

I am expecting a shipment of yeast, sorbate, campden, PH strips, Etc. so that I can make some wine from recipies from scratch. I am going to make a 1 gallon apricot batch and use the goodies from the primary to start a batch of the mutch touted Pee. My wife and I used to make a drink in the summer with pink lemonade and wilderberry schnops. I also enjoy whiskey sours, so the Pee might be right up our alley. I have heard from some of my friends around here that they like a wine made from oranges. Might have to try that one too. I posted a question in another area in here about testing for ph and testing for acid. Do I need to get an acid tester?

Acid testing equipment is another tool to improve your wines, but you can make wine without it. You won't need it for Skeeter Pee because I can tell you it's already off the charts. But testing equipment could be useful for other fruit batches you make from scratch.

 

[RedNeckWino]

Welcome. The Skeeter Pee is great! Starting another 5 gallons today. Why? because I have empty bottles and I know I will be thirsty this summer.

 

[LoneTreeFarms]

Welcome Lost,

Looks like we're from the same town! We should swap recipes sometime.

Thanks
Ben

 

[Lost40Vinter]

Hey Ben. Are located near the old lone tree west of Badger? I have a cousin from around there. I just started making wine (a kit) and this weekend I am starting a gallon batch of strawberry wine in order to take the lees off of the strawberry to make some skeeter pee. I have some old recipies from my grandpa, but they are pretty similar to one from some of the books. Is there anyone in our area making wine too?

Have a good one!