Introduction: Grandma's Wine Dated 1939
Heirloom recipes are the treasures of the kitchen from long ago. If you are lucky enough, you have your grandmother's recipe box full of stained cards with annotations.
So, I actually posted the actual recipe of my grandmothers, (on my mom's side) wine recipe for Instructables contest "Heirloom Recipes" . Still l can remember this wine when I was 3 or 4 yrs. old. When my Grandma how was born in Russia (sadly, she died in 1967),would come over to our home to babysitting my older sister and I , she'd give me a sip of her cup of wine... for many generations family and friends enjoyed this wine during many celebrations, I hope you do too!!!
Step 1: Ingredients:
3 1/2 lbs. sugar
1 cup caraway seeds
1 gallon water
2 cups grated potatoes
1 yeast, cake
Step 2: Before Beginning:
Before you begin, make sure that ALL the ingredients, utensils and equipment which come into contact with your wine at any time must be first washed or rinsed and then sterilized.
Step 3:
In large stock combine sugar, caraway seeds and water. Bring to a boil and boil 30 minutes.
Step 4:
Pour into a 1or 2 gallon jar with a air tight fitting lid and let cool until lukewarm.
Step 5:
Next, add grated potatoes and yeast cake.
Step 6:
Cove with lid and let the mixture ferment 10 days in a relatively cool temperature about 68 F.,stirring everyday.
Step 7:
As the yeast uses up the oxygen in the container, it froths and foams quite dramatically. But soon the carbon dioxide builds up, the oxygen is exhausted, and the slower anaerobic fermentation begins. When this has finished, the yeast falls to the bottom of the jar and the wine begins to clear. It is then racked ) into a clean jar to mature.
Step 8:
After undergone 10 days of fermentation, strain the liquid with a fine mesh strainer.
Step 9:
After undergone 10 days of fermentation, strain the liquid with a fine mesh strainer.
Step 10:
Store from six months to a year, in a cool, dark, dry place, allowing wine to ferment and turn fairly clear. The wine will taste better the longer you let it ferment it!!

Participated in the
Heirloom Recipes Contest
7 Comments
7 years ago
Dumb question time, where does one get a yeast cake. I googled it.... came back with no decent results. can you use packet yeasts?
Reply 7 years ago
Cake Yeast is very perishable, requiring constant refrigeration below 45°F to maintain its freshness and activity. Most RED STAR® Cake Yeast is available in 2-ounce foil-wrapped cakes.
It’s also
known as Baker's yeast, fresh yeast and wet yeast can be found in most grocery
stores. Type
your zip code in the store finder to locate a retailer near you. I hope this
helps you!!!grocery store carry it... look in the area they sell
Reply 7 years ago
Thank you for the answer and info.
7 years ago
Are these American measures your using or European ?There is a difference . I ask as your grandma was Russian .
Reply 7 years ago
Good evening sir, these are USA standard measures! I wasn't even born at the time this recipe was typed... the pair it was typed on is very thick.
Reply 7 years ago
thanks for that reply ,now I won`t get mixed up
Reply 7 years ago
You're so very welcome & best of luck to you!!!!!