Newfrom Kentucky

[ennismill]

New guy from Kentucky. I am a full time grain farmer. I like to drink wine and think it would be neat to make my own. So I come here to get wine making ideas.

 

[ennismill]

Forgot to mention in first post. I love Lambrusco. That's my favorite wine. I want to attempt to grow my own grapes. I still have a lot to learn though. But that's why I'm here.

 

[sour_grapes]

Welcome to WMT, ennismill! Ask any of your questions as they come!

 

[cintipam]

Hello and welcome ennismill

I'm in Cincinnati, a mere bridge from your state. If you are anywhere near here a local wineshop orders juice buckets in spring from Chile and fall from California. Pretty sure Lambrusco is one of the regulars they carry. But it would prob be best to get your feet wet with a simple Dragons blood or making some wine from fruit juice concentrate. That helps you get comfortable with the chemicals and procedures before you have this big beautiful expensive by comparison bucket of primo wine grape juice staring at you just daring you to make a mistake, any mistake! Actually, it's not that hard but it does help to practice on cheap stuff. Come fall a lot of us make wine from fruit from our yards or local farmers markets. Your timing is perfect to learn quick and cheap, then graduate to whatever tickles your fancy.

Pam in cinti

 

[bkisel]

Welcome to the forum!

I would suggest you make some wine first, to see if it is really something you're interested in doing for the long haul, before planting in order to grow your own grapes.

 

[RevA]

Welcom to the forum! Hope you enjoy it here. I would agree, try making some wine before you start planting, unless you really love gardening, then go for it!

 

[ennismill]

Thanks for all the replys! I have some concord grapes that have been growing here forever. I was thinking about trying them out to start. They are free and would make great practice. I canned them last year, no sugar added just the juice. Could I use that juice? I know table grapes are not great for wine but maybe for practice. Or to see if its something I really am interested in. Again thanks for the site, learning a lot here.

 

[cintipam]

I think your canned grapes should be great practice. A lot of folks purchase canned fruit made specifically for winemaking, but I personally strongly prefer frozen as I feel a lot of flavor is lost in canned fruit. But for practice that is the perfect choice. I still would prob use frozen drink concentrate to up the flavor and provide some of the sugar. You will need to make your concoction reach approx 1.090 in sugar between the fruit, frozen drink concentrate with no preservative (usually Old Orchard brand), what ever else you choose to add and just plain sugar. Once you reach that magic number it is time to start the wine.

Pam in cinti

 

[mbleill]

Hello from Indiana

Hello. Glad to see local winemakers. In what part of Kentucky do you live? I live in south eastern Indiana just west of Cincinnati. I grow wine grapes and make wine from grapes. This year I plan to branch out and make some fruit wine. Best regards, Mike

 

[ennismill]

Hey I am about 45 minutes south of Louisville on I65. Pretty much central Ky.

 

[barbiek]

Welcome to WMT enjoy!
Barbie