Introduction: Very Easy and Inexpensive Winemaking

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Sometimes it is very easy and fun to start some hobbies and winemaking is one of them. There is no need to buy expensive equipment and the experience is rewarding and we also learn the processes involved.

Supplies

  • Juice of any kind but, make sure that the juice does not contain a preservative like potassium sorbate which kills yeast.
  • Yeast but, preferably wine yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Wine yeast is better suited to preserve the flavor and the aroma of the fruits or berries.
  • Cheesecloth.

Step 1: Making the Wine

It is essential in winemaking to sterilize the bottles before the wine is poured to avoid spoilage. Since we are going to use store-bought juice we are going to skip this step entirely. The plastic container should have been sterilized at the packing plant. Now, it is important to make an airlock to prevent insects to be attracted by the sweetness of the juice and to allow the resulting byproduct of fermentation, carbon dioxide (CO2) to escape the bottle. Make one or a few small holes on the cap. Open the juice bottle and pour the yeast inside. One gram of yeast is enough for five liters of juice. Place a square piece of cheesecloth to cover the mouth of the bottle and replace the lid. In less than an hour, you will start to see bubbles rise to the surface of the juice. That means that the yeast is converting the sugars in the juice into alcohol. Store your juice jug away from the sun in a cool dry place for 16 days. The result will be a dry wine. If you prefer a sweeter wine you could add sugar right before you enjoy your homemade wine.

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