One More Try with Welch's Grape Juice Wine

[Scooter68]

These day companies are making food that tastes the way a customer expects it to taste - that means whatever it takes to get and keep that flavor, consistency, etc they do that. That also means if they can add even 2-4% additional water and still maintain that acceptable taste, the companies will do it. Remember the bottom line is what drives the companies these days. Find me ANY large successful company that still does things the old way just because that's what the founder felt was "honest" and true to the production of that product. When the accountants and production specialists present them with data that shows VERY significant increases in profits with no or minimal loss of customer base... the boards/CEOs'/owners 9 times out of 10 will go for higher profit. Should that mean that some customer can no longer use their product for a "side" use such as wine making... that's a loss most companies live with.

Short version, the vast majority of store shelf juices are tweaked products so that they sell well, keep well on store shelf. They are made to be drunk and it seems that EVERY juice you see these says "made from concentrate" ALONG WITH the disappearance of Frozen concentrates from store shelves.

 

[BigDaveK]

Yeah, where's the concentrates? Thought I'd check prices yesterday and maybe buy one or two. They only had two shelves in the freezer filled with "breakfast fruit blends" and some daiquiri mixes. Bummer.

 

[FlamingoEmporium]

Yeah, where's the concentrates? Thought I'd check prices yesterday and maybe buy one or two. They only had two shelves in the freezer filled with "breakfast fruit blends" and some daiquiri mixes. Bummer.

I read somewhere in the forum they discontinued thr frozen concentrate.

 

[VinesnBines]

I’m not sure they are discontinued but stores are not stocking.That is a bummer because I used white grape concentrate to bulk some of my fruit wines.

 

[FlamingoEmporium]

I’m not sure they are discontinued but stores are not stocking.That is a bummer because I used white grape concentrate to bulk some of my fruit wines.

I put 1/2 gallon white juice in my latest batch of mango. It fermented well and final ABV is going to be over 14%

 

[mikewatkins727]

Hi, @kwarnold4650 .

We don't suggest going by time. You should judge by specfic gravity (SG). Do you have a hydrometer? You should really have one if trying to make wine; they cost <$10.

You should rack the wine when the specfic gravity (SG) is less than 1.005 or so.

Hey @kwarnold4650, buy two of those things. You will need the second when you break the first one at the wrong time. Trust us, we know.

 

[BigDaveK]

Hey @kwarnold4650, buy two of those things. You will need the second when you break the first one at the wrong time. Trust us, we know.

It's glass, you're going to be careful, right? It should last a lifetime! Uh huh. I bought 2 to replace the 1 I broke.

 

[sour_grapes]

It's glass, you're going to be careful, right? It should last a lifetime! Uh huh. I bought 2 to replace the 1 I broke.

That is exactly the way to do it... or at least exactly the way *I* did it. And then then you won't break the second one!

 

[barryjo]

I met a winemaker many years ago (70's) in Kalamazoo, MI. He gave me a real story about his using grape juice to make wine (he was proud of). He said his handle was "The Purple Thumb".
I post this to see if there is a possibility that someone else may have met him.

I never met the man. But evidently his wine formula traveled west. My first wines were Welches. As in: 2 quarts welches grape juice, 2 pounds sugar, 2 quarts water and package of Fleischman's bread yeast! Basic. Wine experts might call that hootch. I have come a long way since then.

 

[Scooter68]

Yup Anytime you add water to a straight grape juice (not a concentrated juice,) you are going to lose flavor and it most likely would be called 'hootch.'

 

[G259]

C'mon, I've had hooch before, the best part is when you smack your lips, and say AAHHHHHH!

 

[Fox Squirrel Vin]

Yup Anytime you add water to a straight grape juice (not a concentrated juice,) you are going to lose flavor and it most likely would be called 'hootch.'

Sometimes reducing the flavor can actually be a good thing if it tastes like crap.

 

[Scooter68]

Sometimes reducing the flavor can actually be a good thing if it tastes like crap.

If it's that bad.... Why waste the sugar, yeast etc. For a few dollars a bottle of everclear can turn any beverage into some serious "hootch" and a lot quicker.

 

[G259]

Yea but it's the waking up at 3AM, slumped over my keyboard all the time, that I would hate!