2009 Fermentation Handbook.

[wharris]

The Scott Laboratories 2009 Fermentation guide.

I know this is a cheese forum.  But it is wine season.  I found this today and going through it.  Its really nice.

[DeejayDebi]

Thnaks Wayne I have been threatening to try making wine for awhile now. Maybe this is the year.

[wharris]

If you have any questions,  do not hesitate to call me.

also.  http://winepress.us

[Sailor Con Queso]

We tried making wine several years ago and were REALLY bad at it. At the time the online resources didn't exist. Would love to try again, but don't know where to start.

[Tea]

I did the same Sailor.  Decided that I wanted to make some Mead for our 25th wedding anniversary.  Found some recipes, gave it a go, and what a mess.

Finally found a great online forum, discovered what my mistakes were, bought a couple of recommended books, and well the rest is history.  It really is not very hard, once you know the tricks to the trade.  Like most things I guess.

Give it another go.

[wharris]

Well,  Wine is one of those things that happens, like it or not.  In many cases one really cannot do much to prevent it.   In one sense,  "wine happens"

Why? most fruits have both sugar, and wild yeasts, and sometimes wine will actually be made inside the berries of some fruit bearing trees.  I've seen drunk birds personally and there are youtube vids of drunk elephants.

But wine is a temporary stop on the way to vinegar town. 

All we can hope to do as wine makers is coax along what would happen normally into something that tastes nice, and will last in that wine phase for a long time.

I am not an expert, but I sure do enjoy making wine. 

Cheese is my mistress,  but wine is my wife.

[DeejayDebi]

Probably not the best place to start or maybe it is (from a kit) but I had this very tasty peach wine at the local Brew Supply Shop - Peach Mist or something. It was a boxed kit. I forget who made it but it was very good (to me).

[whichwhey?]

But wine is a temporary stop on the way to vinegar town. 

I know that! I started making wine 2 years ago.

[wharris]

Probably not the best place to start or maybe it is (from a kit)

There is nothing at all wrong with getting started with a "kit". As a matter of fact,  I would encourage it.  But you know me, I'm all about jumping in with both feet.

I think its better to try it with a kit and decide that its not for you, than to invest in the gear needed for fresh grapes and then make that decision.

And besides, wine from juice or concentrates can be done at any time, not just the fall.

Just, keep your expectations in check.  Its wine from juice. 
It is what it is.

[DeejayDebi]

Well the biggest reason I thought I'd try a kit is I liked the taste of the one they let me try and I don't normally like wine much.

[wharris]

What I find interesting is that wine can be made from most anything.
(not saying its good wine, but its wine.)

Non-grape wine is referred to as "country wine" by some.

You can find wine recipes for most berries, fruits, vegetables, seeds, weeds, stems and flowers.
I would encourage you (DeejayDebi) especially since you seem to make everything.... to look at Jack Kellers wine making page.  He as a section there on the basics, advanced, and includes wine recipes for almost everything that does not crawl around.

[DeejayDebi]

On your recommendation my dear I will do just that - but you have to fix the link it doesn't work. I will try a search.

[whichwhey?]

I justed started jalapeno pepper wine yesterday and no I'm not drinking it I will be giving it to so friends  .

[wharris]

link is fixed, but here it is again.
http://winemaking.jackkeller.net

[DeejayDebi]

I just copied almost every word. Maybe I'll read it all when I get Wisconsin in about a week.