How many wine makers do we have here?

[sgtmom52]

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We actually do have a cider press, but I'm "cheating" on this batch and using cider purchased from a local orchard.

This is the recipe I'm using Hard Cider This is from our local beer and wine supply store.

 

[kuntrygirl]

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Can you post the watermelon wine recipe?

Thanks

 

[Dawn419]

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"Cheating" isn't necessarily a bad thing in this hobby! Sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

I'd been threatening to try a 5 gallon batch of pumpkin wine but I'm positive that hubby would be more inclined to trying the hard cider recipe!

kuntrygirl

Can you post the watermelon wine recipe?

Thanks

Here ya go:

Watermelon-Grape Concentrate Wine (makes 1 gallon)
6-8 lb watermelon
12 oz white grape concentrate
water to make up 1 gallon
juice and zest of 2 lemons
2-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 crushed Campden tablet
1 tsp yeast nutrient
Champagne or Sauterne wine yeast
Cut the rind off of melon, cut melon into one-inch cubes, remove loose seeds, and put melon and any free juice in primary. Thinly grate the yellow off two lemons, juice the lemons, and add the juice and zest (gratings) to primary. Add grape concentrate and crushed Campden tablet to primary. Add water to make up 3-3/4 quarts total liquid. Add sugar and stir well to dissolve. Cover primary with cloth, wait 24 hours and add yeast and yeast nutrient. Cover and ferment 5-7 days, stirring daily. Siphon off sediments into secondary, fit airlock and ferment 30 days. Rack, top up, refit airlock, and repeat 30 days later. After additional 60 days, rack, top up, and stabilize (add 1/4 tsp potassium sorbate and another crushed Campden tablet). Wait 10 days, rack, sweeten to taste and bottle. Allow to age in bottles 3 months to one year. [Author's recipe]


It's from Jack Keller's winemaking site.

Things we did differently:

Cut watermelon into slices, well away from the rind and put the slices into a strainer to juice it. The strainer contained most of the seeds...only had to pick out a few escapees by hand.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a78/TnWren/Watermelon Wine/WatermelonWine11006.jpg

Added a yeast starter to jump start fermentation so the juice wouldn't spoil, which seems to be a big problem for most people who try this wine. We'd also read to refrigerate the juice for 24 hours before pitching the yeast but living in a camper with a dorm-sized fridge, this wasn't an option so we opted to "jump-start" fermentation.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a78/TnWren/Watermelon Wine/WatermelonWine11001.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a78/TnWren/Watermelon Wine/WatermelonWine11004.jpg

We had a small sip when we siphoned off into the secondary and think it's gonna be good with a lot of time and patience, meaning it probably won't be deemed drinkable for atleast a year.

Edited cuz I caint speelz!

 

[kuntrygirl]

I picked about 5 (5 gallon buckets) of persimmons. Guess what that means? PERSIMMON WINE !!!!!!!

 

[oesdog]

Really glad I found this thread. We are making Strawberry wine right now and Chardonnay. We also make Beer!!!!

I was thinking of starting a thread - But here you are so I don't have to!!!
Just wanted to tie up with some like-minded folk who don’t see anything wrong with making wine and beer etc.

- I kind of upset someone who I cared about on another thread because they are very against Alcohol for religious reasons. I would define myself as Christian but I brew wine and make beer. I don’t see it conflicts with my faith??? Anymore than having money in my pocket and not being influenced by "the love of it"? Anyhow I am rambling - so can I join!!!!???????

As I said we have two Demi-johns and a keg on the go right now so will see what happens.

Oesdog

 

[chicken stalker]

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Welcome to the thread!!

 

[Dawn419]

Welcome to the thread, oesdog! Glad to have you here!

kuntrygirl,

Nice score!

The persimmons start falling here at the same time hunting season starts up...sigh!

 

[kuntrygirl]

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Thank you. They are ripening now. Can't wait to get started.

 

[kuntrygirl]

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Cheers!!!!!!!! And welcome to the thread!!!!!!

There is nothing wrong with making wine, beer and my next project (CHAMPAGNE -

)

Come on in and take a seat and grab a glass of wine and sip along with the rest. You will love it here.

 

[oesdog]

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Thank you. They are ripening now. Can't wait to get started.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_1persimmons_001.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_2persimmons_002.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_3persimmons_003.jpg

Wow never heard of those before they look a bit like my Tomatos???????

I hope you get good wine from them??????

I was going to try to get some Blackberries before they are over as the frost is due anytime. I just want to see if I can make some wine with them - last year I made jam and it didn't turn out so I figure if I can get some this year wine might be better!!!!

God knows I sure need it!!!!!!!!

Oesdog - Thanks for the welcome guys!