Making Homemade Red Wine

Red Wine contains resveratrol.  Making small quantities of red wine at home can be a fun and rewarding process. Here's a simplified guide to get you started:

1. Ingredients and Equipment:

   - Red grapes: Choose a variety suitable for winemaking, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.

   - Yeast: Wine yeast specifically designed for red wine fermentation.

   - Sugar: Used to increase the alcohol content if needed.

   - Water: Filtered or distilled water is preferable.

   - Fermentation vessel: A glass or food-grade plastic container with an airlock.

   - Airlock: Allows carbon dioxide to escape while preventing oxygen from entering.

   - Hydrometer: Measures the specific gravity of the liquid to determine alcohol content.

   - Siphoning tube: Used for transferring the wine between containers.

   - Glass bottles: For storing the finished wine.

2. Preparation:

   - Clean and sanitize all equipment to prevent contamination.

   - Remove stems from the grapes and crush them. You can use a clean container or your hands.

   - Transfer the crushed grapes into the fermentation vessel.

3. Fermentation:

   - Dissolve the wine yeast in a small amount of warm water according to the package instructions.

   - Add the yeast mixture to the crushed grapes in the fermentation vessel.

   - Cover the vessel with the airlock to allow gases to escape.

   - Store the vessel in a cool, dark place with a consistent temperature between 70-75°F (21-24°C).

   - Allow fermentation to occur for about 7-10 days, stirring the mixture gently once a day.

4. Pressing and Secondary Fermentation:

   - After primary fermentation, strain the liquid from the solids using a clean cheesecloth or a wine press.

   - Transfer the liquid (now called "must") into a clean fermentation vessel, leaving any sediment behind.

   - Attach the airlock and let the wine undergo secondary fermentation for about 2-4 weeks.

5. Bottling:

   - Once fermentation is complete, use a hydrometer to check the specific gravity. It should be around 0.990 or lower.

   - If desired, you can add sugar to adjust the sweetness or acidity to taste.

   - Carefully siphon the wine into clean glass bottles, leaving any sediment behind.

   - Cork or seal the bottles and store them in a cool, dark place for aging.

Making Red Wine With a Purchased Home Wine Making Kit.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Gather your equipment: Ensure you have all the necessary equipment included in your winemaking kit. This typically includes a fermentation vessel, airlock, siphoning tube, hydrometer, and sanitizing solution.

2. Choose your grape juice: Most home winemaking kits come with concentrated grape juice or grape juice concentrate. Follow the instructions provided with your kit to determine the quantity and type of juice you need.

3. Sanitize your equipment: Thoroughly clean and sanitize all your winemaking equipment to prevent any unwanted bacteria or contaminants from affecting your wine. Follow the instructions provided with your sanitizing solution.

4. Prepare the grape juice: Follow the instructions provided with your kit to rehydrate or dilute the grape juice concentrate. This usually involves adding water and stirring until fully mixed.

5. Add yeast: Once the grape juice is prepared, add the yeast provided with your kit. Yeast is responsible for fermenting the sugars in the juice and converting them into alcohol. Follow the instructions for the specific yeast strain and add it to the juice.

6. Fermentation: Transfer the grape juice and yeast mixture into the fermentation vessel. Attach the airlock to the vessel to allow carbon dioxide to escape while preventing oxygen from entering. Place the vessel in a cool, dark area with a consistent temperature (around 70-75°F or 21-24°C) for fermentation to occur. Fermentation typically takes around 1-2 weeks.

7. Monitor the process: During fermentation, monitor the specific gravity of the wine using a hydrometer. This will help you determine when fermentation is complete. Follow the instructions provided with your kit for specific gravity readings.

8. Rack the wine: Once fermentation is complete, it's time to rack the wine. This involves transferring the wine from the fermentation vessel to a clean secondary vessel, leaving behind any sediment or lees. This helps clarify the wine and improve its flavor.

9. Aging: After racking, the wine needs to age to develop its flavors. Follow the instructions provided with your kit for the recommended aging time. This can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on the desired taste.

10. Bottling: Once the wine has aged, it's ready for bottling. Clean and sanitize your bottles, and use a siph.