Hi there from Melbourne, Australia

[peakydh]

Hi everyone, I'm a complete newbie to winemaking but I've been brewing beer with all grain for a while here in Australia.

Really looking forward to having a crack at making wine with grapes, I have several 8 gallon food grade plastic fermenters, can I use one of these for fermenting wine? Or should I go glass carboy?

See you round on the forum :>

 

[Runningwolf]

Peaky, welcome aboard. Your food grade containers should be ok for short term fermenting but you'll want to rack over to glass as soon as your fermentation lowers to around 1.01 sg.

 

[peakydh]

Thanks Dan, I'll be on the hunt for a glass carboy then.

Cheers.

 

[Tom]

Welcome! we have one of our mods in NZ. St Allie where R U ??

 

[Wade E]

Welcome to this side of the net and glad to have you aboard! As said above, the plastic one are for fermenting in but once they are done fermenting they need to get into a vessel with very little head space.

 

[peakydh]

Welcome! we have one of our mods in NZ. St Allie where R U ??

Hi Tom, thanks for the welcome. I'm originally from NZ but have been living in Australia for some years now. I live in Knoxfield, Victoria, Australia.

Just a quick question: Can I set up an email notification for replies to my posts? I had a look in my profile area but can't see where to set this up.

Cheers,

Dale.

 

[ibglowin]

Welcome to yet another hobby/obsession!

I think email notification is turned on automatically so you should get an email notifying you of a update without having to do anything. When you reply go to advanced reply and you will see the notification type. Daily email notification is the default but you can switch it to instant email notification at that point.

 

[Duster]

Welcome, I have never took a crack at beer yet, someday maybe. You should find everything you need around here to turn out some really great wine. The folks here are amazing in answering any questions that may come up.
Wine from grapes is good but may I suggest not to limit yourself, there are many fruit wines that are even better IMO. I'm not familiar with the native fruit down under but get creative, you may surprise yourself.

 

[peakydh]

Welcome, I have never took a crack at beer yet, someday maybe. You should find everything you need around here to turn out some really great wine. The folks here are amazing in answering any questions that may come up.
Wine from grapes is good but may I suggest not to limit yourself, there are many fruit wines that are even better IMO. I'm not familiar with the native fruit down under but get creative, you may surprise yourself.

Hi Duster, thanks for the welcome I've been brewing beer on and off for a few years now. All my beer is made from grain only, I also farm and store yeast slants, and my father-in-law grows some hops. It's like anything I guess, a bit of a slippery slope once you get involved, the wanting for better and brighter equipment dosen't seem to end! I'm currently collecting parts to build a Heat Exchange Recirculating Mash System for my brewing. Excitement!

Anyways, I thought I'd have a go at wine so I'm scouring the net and this forum for info, downloaded the 'The Home Winemaking Book' by Michiel Pesgens which has some really good advice. My father-in-law also has a small orchard so I'm certainly keen to make wine from other fruit.
Thanks again for your post

 

[jtstar]

Welcome Peaky what kind of fruit do you have growing there

 

[peakydh]

Welcome Peaky what kind of fruit do you have growing there

Hi jtstar, on the father-in-laws orchard I believe there is apricots, peaches, plums, apples, pears, nectarines, and some berries such as raspberries, gooseberries, boysenberries, red and white currents. Not sure exactly what types or what can be used for making wine but I'm keen to find out

 

[Brian]

Welcome Peaky! I would be looking forward to making wine out of all of those. You are very lucky to have that at your disposal!

 

[Duster]

Hi jtstar, on the father-in-laws orchard I believe there is apricots, peaches, plums, apples, pears, nectarines, and some berries such as raspberries, gooseberries, boysenberries, red and white currents. Not sure exactly what types or what can be used for making wine but I'm keen to find out

Wow, all of that and did I catch "father in law" to me that means fruit for free or at least really cheap! Sounds like you definitely have a better start than I did. Check out the recipe page on the forum, you'll find a use for all you have listed. One thing I have found is that if you like the taste of the fruit, then you'll like the wine.

 

[peakydh]

Well I just found a 14 gallon glass demijohn for sale on the home brew forum I frequent, picking it up on Saturday. A bargain too!

And I have a 16 gallon food grade plastic fermenter sorted out also, should be ok for primary fermentation. Should be fermenting my first wine fairly soon!