Howdy from Madison, WI

[Icarus]

Hi everyone! I'm Icarus from Madison, WI.

I've never made wine before, but my wife and I have been brewing beer for several years, and drinking both for quite a bit longer. Over the years we've been saving our wine bottles with the intention of making wine, and are now at the point where we either should start filling them or giving them away. Since we already have most of the equipment needed (with the exception of a corker), I think now is the time to start.

I originally found this site while looking for starter book recommendations (I'm one of those guys who always purchases two books on any new hobby they plan to start). I've actually found some excellent PDF's on here, but if anyone has a suggestion for a good all around first book, please, feel free to mention it, or PM me, or even suggest that I UTFSE (that's next, after my introductory thread).

Other than that, I work in IT and brew beer and blow glass for a hobby. If anyone has questions about any of those topics, that's where my expertise lies, so ask away.

Nice to meet you all,
Icarus

 

[winemaker_3352]

Welcome aboard!!

I too work in the IT world!!

Try this link out http://www.winemakingtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10381 it has some very useful information.

Also check out the Tutorials section.

 

[RedNeckWino]

Welcome! glad you could join. Kinda on the other end of things. I jumped in with both feet and had 4 wine going before getting a book.

 

[Runningwolf]

Welcome to the party. This is one book that I like. Besides books there is tons of knowledge and experienced folks on this forum. Always feel free to ask any questions.

 

[BobF]

Welcome, Icarus. I lived in Waunakee for 4+ years. Very kool area!

Be very careful when you start adding heat-shrink capsules to your bottles - I'd hate to see your feathers fall off ;-)

 

[djrockinsteve]

Welcome Welcome Welcome! Thanks for finding us.

 

[cpfan]

Icarus:

Before suggesting a book, what source material are you planning to use for your wines? Fruit? Juice? Kits?

If you'll be making kits, ignore the books, most will confuse you or otherwise cause grief.

Steve

 

[Icarus]

Be very careful when you start adding heat-shrink capsules to your bottles - I'd hate to see your feathers fall off ;-)

Nice! A lot less people get the Icarus reference than I expected when I first started using the name. I was a huge Greek mythology buff growing up, but using the name actually comes from glassblowing, as I have a tendency to put my face too close to the torch flame when working on detailed work. That's part of the reason that I sport a short beard, as burning hair stinks.

Runningwolf, glad you like that book. I jsut ended up ordering it last night.

cpfan, Thanks for the heads up. We're not sure if we want to go with a kit or straight from fruit. Probably a kit to begin with as it will keep start up costs minimal (as I already have most of the equipment from home brewing). In doing the kit, I'll remember to take what I learned from the book with a slight grain of slat, as it may not apply as much to kit wine.

 

[Brian]

Welcome Icarus! Welcome to a great forum. If you are doing wine kits and have not made much wine before I would recommend just sticking close to the recipe and the direction that come with the kits. It also depends on what kind of wine you are making as to what kits you might want to start out with..

 

[wjdonahue]

Icarus
Probably one of the best books I have found on overall winemaking for the beginner, was done by one of the faculty at UC Davis, and can be found on the Enology section of the Davis website. I'll try to find the address for you....but check it out. Can be downloaded directly from the site at no charge. It is basic and yet pretty comprehensive.

 

[Duster]

first off Welcome, Glad to have ya here, I have no suggestions for a book, I have gotten mot of my Knowledge from the folks here and they have not steered me wrong yet. As far as a corker I really like the Colonna Capper/Corker It is plastic so I don't think it gets the respect it deserve but it is built solid.
Since no one else has jumped on the question yet I guess I will, are you going to attempt to blow your own bottles? I think this would be great, I don't even know if it can be done so pardon me if it a stupid question.

 

[jtstar]

I have never seen a corker like what Duster is useing but myself and others on this forum use the floor corker. Oh by the way welcome, just like Duster I was wondering if you were making your own carboys

 

[Wade E]

Welcome Icarus to our forum. I have a friend who used to blow glass and Ive done it a few times and loved it. If you have a glass furnace in your house then i dont think youll have any fermentation temp problems!!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad to have you aboard and any of the sponsors above with the banners are a great place to get any equipment nneeded and if you call them they can walk you through what you want and not just sell you the higher priced stuff.