Winemaking success!

[Ivywoods]

I started winemaking last fall and with the help of this forum and YouTube I'm feeling like it's been a success so far. I've made gewurztraminer, wild plum, raspberry, tart cherrynand just started a batch of possum grape wild plum combo. I have more elderberry to make next.

 

[Scooter68]

I am a little concerned about you - WAY too organized and neat.

 

[Ivywoods]

Scooter 68-LOL! Organized, yes. Neat? That's highly debatable! Right now I'm enjoying a glass of my skeeter pee failure that was rescued with some tart cherry, so it's cherry lemon. It's some from the bottom of the carboy that I put in the fridge to let the sediment settle. It's pretty tart and I like tart.

 

[Raptor99]

That wine rack looks like it is on a Costco wire shelf. Do they sell the wine rack attachment for the shelf?

 

[Ivywoods]

Raptor 99. No, it's not a Costco shelf, but it is just like the chrome plated shelves that they sell in a number of places with the exception of the wine shelves. I ordered this complete unit off the internet but I can't remember from what company. If you google chrome plated wine rack you will find a selection of them.

 

[Ramrod2021]

Hello folks I'm the new guy.ive only made two batches of muscadine wine.i like your set up

 

[Ivywoods]

Hello folks I'm the new guy.ive only made two batches of muscadine wine.i like your set up

Thank you. I'm still working on making my winemaking area more user friendly. It is slowly getting better.

 

[Ivywoods]

Oh dang!!! I just broke a bottle of wine. First time I've broken one.☹

 

[BernardSmith]

Your winery and cellar look as if you have been making wine professionally for many years. More success to ya.

 

[Ivywoods]

Your winery and cellar look as if you have been making wine professionally for many years. More success to ya.

Thank you so much! I just started last fall, but I've done a lot of reading and have help from a number of knowledgeable folks on this site!

 

[Snafflebit]

what the heeeeeck is a possum grape?

 

[Jovimaple]

Oh dang!!! I just broke a bottle of wine. First time I've broken one.☹

I broke my first bottle a few weeks ago. Luckily, mine was empty - just prepping for bottling! I broke my first hydrometer yesterday, though.

Hope the mess wasn't too bad for you!

 

[Ivywoods]

what the heeeeeck is a possum grape?

It is essentially just a wild grape. There are several different native varieties this term might refer to. I assume the name comes from opossums eating the fruit.

 

[Ivywoods]

I broke my first bottle a few weeks ago. Luckily, mine was empty - just prepping for bottling! I broke my first hydrometer yesterday, though.

Hope the mess wasn't too bad for you!

This one was full of gewurztraminer! I hated to loose it. So far I haven't broken my hydrometer but I know I should order an extra. I assume it will happen to me sometime.

 

[sour_grapes]

So far I haven't broken my hydrometer but I know I should order an extra. I assume it will happen to me sometime.

If you order an extra one now, you will NOT break your current one. However, if you do not get a spare, you WILL break your current one.

 

[Snafflebit]

The way to guarantee you will break a hydrometer is if you do not have a spare one!

 

[cmason1957]

This one was full of gewurztraminer! I hated to loose it. So far I haven't broken my hydrometer but I know I should order an extra. I assume it will happen to me sometime.

I knocked on wood as soon as I read this. Hopeful it will protect us all.

 

[bstnh1]

This one was full of gewurztraminer! I hated to loose it. So far I haven't broken my hydrometer but I know I should order an extra. I assume it will happen to me sometime.

I remember washing the first hydrometer I bought. Rinsed it off and, picking it up by the thin part, I gave it a good shake to shake the water off. I ordered a couple replacement's the same day!