New Member From IL, Have not started yet!

[drgckap]

Hi, glad I found this site. I have yet to purchase or start but I have been reading a couple books as well as some online info. I was initially thinking of purchasing some grape must but not a kit, however already from reading here I am thinking of starting with a finer wine kit. It seems like they use quality products and have good info/instructions that seems to be smart for a newbie. I certainly wish to explore further outside of the kits but am looking at this being a good start. Looking forward to learning more from all of you and thanks in advance for your knowledge!!!

 

[Ohio Bob]

In my opinion, you won’t be disappointed in the FWK kit. My advice is print out a copy of the instructions, read it over MULTIPLE times, write notes in the margins. Then get a separate piece of paper and re-write all the steps. It’s a good way to prove to yourself that you understand the steps.

And when things look like they’re not going right you can tell us what steps you’ve done and what you’re seeing.

Fear not, it can be a fun hobby. Wine making is forgiving as the alcohol level and acid level act as food preservatives. So sometimes you really have to mess it up for the wine to be trash.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Vern]

Hi, glad I found this site. I have yet to purchase or start but I have been reading a couple books as well as some online info. I was initially thinking of purchasing some grape must but not a kit, however already from reading here I am thinking of starting with a finer wine kit. It seems like they use quality products and have good info/instructions that seems to be smart for a newbie. I certainly wish to explore further outside of the kits but am looking at this being a good start. Looking forward to learning more from all of you and thanks in advance for your knowledge!!!

Welcome to a great hobby. I am also from Illinois .

 

[drgckap]

In my opinion, you won’t be disappointed in the FWK kit. My advice is print out a copy of the instructions, read it over MULTIPLE times, write notes in the margins. Then get a separate piece of paper and re-write all the steps. It’s a good way to prove to yourself that you understand the steps.

And when things look like they’re not going right you can tell us what steps you’ve done and what you’re seeing.

Fear not, it can be a fun hobby. Wine making is forgiving as the alcohol level and acid level act as food preservatives. So sometimes you really have to mess it up for the wine to be trash.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Thanks Bob!

 

[sour_grapes]

Welcome aboard!

 

[Christopher Anderson]

Welcome to WMT.

 

[ChuckD]

Welcome to WMT. Order the kit and dive in…. The wine is fine!

 

[Rice_Guy]

welcome to WMT
Buffalo Grove, , , it would be worth while to reach out to Steve, @vacuumpumpman and see what he does. There is nothing like Mom or grandpa setting an example. Also Steve has contacts in all of the wine making clubs.

 

[vacuumpumpman]

Hi, glad I found this site. I have yet to purchase or start but I have been reading a couple books as well as some online info. I was initially thinking of purchasing some grape must but not a kit, however already from reading here I am thinking of starting with a finer wine kit. It seems like they use quality products and have good info/instructions that seems to be smart for a newbie. I certainly wish to explore further outside of the kits but am looking at this being a good start. Looking forward to learning more from all of you and thanks in advance for your knowledge!!!

Welcome -
Yes you are not all that far from me. If you have any questions or concerns please PM me directly and I would be happy to call you and answer any questions you may have and guide you the best I can.

I am giving a beginners home winemaking course next week in Tennessee at the TVOS wine convention. You can learn from the internet - but it is alot easier and more exciting when you are with other winemakers. I experienced this 1st hand and made alot of mistakes along the way.

 

[BPL]

reading a couple books as well as some online info

There are multiple ways to achieve the same goal. Most everyone has different methods and how their wines are made. If having nothing else, the directions included in the Finer Wine kits are coaches in print! They explain each of the steps and why.

My best advice for new winemakers is don't focus on the recipe, but study each part one at a time and ask "why". Learn the additives and what they do and how they interact. Very soon all of it will make sense.

Understanding winemaking is very similar to playing a musical instrument. Starting out you can make a bunch of noise and nothing makes sense. Once learning notes, time signatures, treble/base clef, keys, all the notation involved, and how to play the instrument, the music can be mastered.

Welcome, and have fun!

Barry

 

[Shurt1073]

Welcome to WMT

I'll start 7-8 FWK in the next two months. There is so much information on the forum to read plus you have many wine makers to bounce questions off of. No reason you can't make good wine.

Enjoy the journey.

Scott