Winery Wiki

Question:

Is keeping corks from opened bag a good or a bad idea? Why? TIA, Guy

Response:

Guy,     I think it is a bad idea for a couple of reasons. First the corks dry out and the cork tends to crumble more, and even if soaked then dont seem as firm to me. This seems to make insertion more difficult and a dimple often left in the cork, or the cork not wanting to go all the way in. Also in the 1000 ct bags they are gassed with sulfite- once taken of this environment the corks are exposed to the elements and possible contamination. This is not to say that you shouldn’t use corks from open bags, but I dont prefer to. My latest method is to vacuum pack my corks right out of the 1000ct bag while they are still fresh. Seems to work real well. So if you can find a good method for storage after opening, then I think it is fine. Just my opinion of course, and I only make wine on a home scale. John Dixon   Is keeping corks from opened bag a good or a bad idea? Why?   TIA,   Guy

Response:

Gents — I feel compelled to put in my two cents.  It may or may not help answer the question.  Personally, I’m way too cheap to consider tossing out perfectly good corks just because I’ve opened the bag. Perhaps I’ve taken this to extremes, but. . . I first started making wine at home in my teens, about 30 years ago. I gave up the "hobby" when I left home; I took it up again last year. As a confirmed pack rat, I had kept all my old wine-making equipment (such as it was), including about 40 corks (unused) kept loose in a paper grocery bag.  When it came time to bottle some of my first batches of wine, I really didn’t think twice about using those old corks.  Since I was using a hand-corker, I was in the habit of soaking the corks for a few minutes in hot water first, to soften them up. They went in easily enough, and (so far as I can tell at this point) have worked just fine.  They do seem to be better quality corks than I can now find at the local wine-making supply place in town.  I may yet regret using those "heirloom" corks, but I haven’t so far.  I have noticed they tend to come apart a little too easily, but only after removing them from the bottle (at which point I don’t consider it a problem). So there it is.  I don’t necessarily recommend this to others.  I guess it just goes to show the wide range of things people do with/to their home-made wine, and get away with (so far). Doug – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Guy,     I think it is a bad idea for a couple of reasons. <snip John Dixon   Is keeping corks from opened bag a good or a bad idea? Why?   TIA,   Guy

Response:

If the question is storing them in the freezer after opening, I would not suggest it.  A cork should contain about 7% moisture and freezing them just sounds like a bad idea; if anything, it may further dry them out. Regards Joe

Response:

I save corks all the time. I also buy them in bulk and use them over a course of a year. I put them into an empty juice bucket with a bowl of sulfate solution on top. I put the lid on tightly. This works both as a humididor and a sterilizer. I never soak corks. BTW, keep your nose away from the bucket for a few minutes when it is first opened.

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Good advice from all.  Start with some kits.  Most agree that the white wine kits are better than the red so you might consider that.  I did not like white wine till I made some kits. Don’t worry that you are missing out on the full experience by making a kit. You will be doing all the steps, just with more guidance — and your end product will be as good as wine you make from scratch.  You will be proud of it and yourself. Just get a good kit. Ray Good advice from both! — Trevor A Panther In South Yorkshire, England This message has been checked for all known viruses.

Once you start using fruit, don’t be afraid to experiment with different yeasts.  You’ll find they make a world of difference. Rogerk

Response:

Where is a good place to start for a curious beginner? I am interested primarily in reds and meades.

Response:

Hi, I would suggest you find a local wine shop and start with a "kit" wine to help you get the feel of making wine. Also spend some time reading this newsgroup and consulting a wine making manual. When all else fails follow the directions that come with the kit to start. Mead on the other hand is time consuming, and in my opinion would not be the best first attempt at "winemaking" (I know, it’s mead not wine). But if you are couragous, then dont let me deter you by any means. Just realize that Mead is about a year investment, where a kit will be drinkable in a month, or 2 is better. Good Luck.        John Dixon

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Where is a good place to start for a curious beginner? I am interested primarily in reds and meades.

Response:

Good advice from both! — Trevor A Panther In South Yorkshire, England This message has been checked for all known viruses.

Response:

Good advice from all.  Start with some kits.  Most agree that the white wine kits are better than the red so you might consider that.  I did not like white wine till I made some kits. Don’t worry that you are missing out on the full experience by making a kit. You will be doing all the steps, just with more guidance — and your end product will be as good as wine you make from scratch.  You will be proud of it and yourself. Just get a good kit. Ray – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Good advice from both! — Trevor A Panther In South Yorkshire, England This message has been checked for all known viruses.

Response:

If I were you I would read a few good winemaking books–From wines to vines by jeff cox and joy of home winemaking by terry garey are 2 of my favorites. Then I would select a good kit to begin with. Make a few kits before you start fresh fruit wines. Learn as much as possible, you can never know too much.

Response:

Please can anyone tell which high street shops if any can sell me basic equipment. Ideally in York area.

If you mean York as in THE York then your best bet is Wilkinsons (the cheapy cheapy hardware shop) if you have them up there. They have all the basic equipment you need at the cheapest prices you’ll find anywhere. Hope this helps. — mvn

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Please can anyone tell which high street shops if any can sell me basic equipment. Ideally in York area.

Response:

Please can anyone tell which high street shops if any can sell me basic equipment. Ideally in York area. Hello Ian,

I understand that larger branches of Boots the chemist do wine making equipment, ours is a tiny branch and they get demi johns, fermentation locks, corks (bored and unbored) for demi-johns, and bottle corkd, as well as wine yeast, and loads of other stuff….. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

i’m a beginner in home winemaking can anybody recommend any good sites for beginners cheers john

Response:

Here are some good sites from Ed Goist Guy Here are some good winemaking sites. Of the sites listed, the Wyeast, Kamil & Spagnols sites probably have the clearest "day-by-day" instructions. Hope this Helps. Prosit: Ed General Information Sites: http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/1/0,5716,108451+11,00.html – Excellent article on the entire winemaking process from the Encyclopedia Britannica http://www.pobox.com/~malak/rcw.faq – Don Buchan & Meg’s fine FAQ for this newsgroup. Basic Instructional Sites: http://www.wyeastlab.com/education/edwiprod.htm – EXCELLENT basic instructions from the Wyeast yeast company. http://www.sentex.net/~kamil/winemaking.html – Very good instructions from Kamil Juice Company (good use of photos) http://wineserver.ucdavis.edu/WineGrape/Homewine/index.htm – A pretty good pdf book on home winemaking from the folks at UCDavis. http://www.spagnols.com/ – Spagnol’s fine site.  From the homepage click on "homebrew handouts" in the upper right, then "wine" from the column on the left, then click on the "making wine from fresh juice" link.  (Also; be sure to read all of the other handouts as well). Advanced Sites: http://home.att.net/~lumeisenman/index.html – Lum Eisenman’s outstanding manual for home winemakers.  THE BEST winemaking site on the web.  BTW, this ng is fortunate to have Lum as one of its resident experts. http://home.pacbell.net/toms/ – Web site of another ng regular: TomS. Tom is our resident expert on the creation of fine California Chardonnay, as well as on the subject of "Debourbage" (the clearing of juice prior to fermentation). http://www.raptoridge.com/oct96.html – Scott Shull, a maker of Burgundian style Pinot Noir at Raptor Ridge Winery gives a very thorough outline of his technique. More Winemaking Links: http://www.clospepe.com/links/winemaking.htm – A good list of links from Wes Hagen’s fine "Clos Pepe" web site. http://www.geocities.com/NapaValley/1172/ – Jack Keller’s fine site. Jack in another ng resident expert.  This site places an emphasis on fruit or "Country" wines. — The Viticulture FAQ & Glossary – http://www.itsmysite.com/vitfaq           "I like on the table, when we’re speaking,            The light of a bottle of intelligent wine."                               -Pablo Neruda – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i’m a beginner in home winemaking can anybody recommend any good sites for beginners cheers john

Response:

http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/index.asp every one seems to like this site. it has a lot of info. I’ll probably go there for info if/when I get around to trying my own wine Greg Okerlund CS major SUNY Buffalo "I’m overworked but I’m undersexed"– Garbage ‘Hammering In My Head’ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i’m a beginner in home winemaking can anybody recommend any good sites for beginners cheers john

Response:

Question:

This whole business of sanitizing is confusing.  While I make every attempt at keeping things clean, it is virtually impossible to REALLY clean the inside of tubing, etc. My question is this:  Is it worthwhile getting a large flat bin (like the kind that people use to store clothing under a bed) and just allowing the tubing and any other long flat pieces of apparatus to soak in a few inches of solution permanently?  I could see just having some solution made up and leaving the tubes in it when not in use.  Is this worthwhile?  Is it overkill?

It’s overkill.  It isn’t necessary to be _that_ anal retentive about cleanliness – especially in the beginning stages.  Just keep your head space low and your sulfites up and you’ll avoid most problems. Tom S

Response:

This whole business of sanitizing is confusing.  While I make every attempt at keeping things clean, it is virtually impossible to REALLY clean the inside of tubing, etc. My question is this:  Is it worthwhile getting a large flat bin (like the kind that people use to store clothing under a bed) and just allowing the tubing and any other long flat pieces of apparatus to soak in a few inches of solution permanently?  I could see just having some solution made up and leaving the tubes in it when not in use.  Is this worthwhile?  Is it overkill? Thanks, Lee

Response:

Hi Lee, Continually soaking wine making equipment is probably overkill. Hoses and tubing should be cleaned much the same as other pieces of winemaking equipment. However, scrubbing the inside surfaces is practically impossible, so hoses and tubing require special care. A strong CTSP solution removes soil efficiently when used promptly, but the tubing should be rinsed several times with clean water to make sure no CTSP remains on the inside surfaces. Mold starts to grow in a short time if water is allowed to stand in a hose. Wineries hang their hoses with both ends down so any water can drain completely. Special hose racks for this purpose are constructed from wood, plastic or metal. Home winemakers often make hose racks from scrap wood or from several nails appropriately placed. Hanging hoses from a single nail will cause permanent kinks. If a length of hose or tubing becomes heavily stained or contaminated with mold, try a full strength Clorox treatment. More info here      http://home.att.net/~lumeisenman/chapt7.html Regards, lum

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This whole business of sanitizing is confusing.  While I make every attempt at keeping things clean, it is virtually impossible to REALLY clean the inside of tubing, etc. My question is this:  Is it worthwhile getting a large flat bin (like the kind that people use to store clothing under a bed) and just allowing the tubing and any other long flat pieces of apparatus to soak in a few inches of solution permanently?  I could see just having some solution made up and leaving the tubes in it when not in use.  Is this worthwhile?  Is it overkill? Thanks, Lee

Response:

You could also use soda ash.  This works very well at removing stains and gunk.  I also would run some solution along with a sulphite rinse trough my tubing before each use. Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Lee, Continually soaking wine making equipment is probably overkill. Hoses and tubing should be cleaned much the same as other pieces of winemaking equipment. However, scrubbing the inside surfaces is practically impossible, so hoses and tubing require special care. A strong CTSP solution removes soil efficiently when used promptly, but the tubing should be rinsed several times with clean water to make sure no CTSP remains on the inside surfaces. Mold starts to grow in a short time if water is allowed to stand in a hose. Wineries hang their hoses with both ends down so any water can drain completely. Special hose racks for this purpose are constructed from wood, plastic or metal. Home winemakers often make hose racks from scrap wood or from several nails appropriately placed. Hanging hoses from a single nail will cause permanent kinks. If a length of hose or tubing becomes heavily stained or contaminated with mold, try a full strength Clorox treatment. More info here      http://home.att.net/~lumeisenman/chapt7.html Regards, lum This whole business of sanitizing is confusing.  While I make every attempt at keeping things clean, it is virtually impossible to REALLY clean the inside of tubing, etc. My question is this:  Is it worthwhile getting a large flat bin (like the kind that people use to store clothing under a bed) and just allowing the tubing and any other long flat pieces of apparatus to soak in a few inches of solution permanently?  I could see just having some solution made up and leaving the tubes in it when not in use.  Is this worthwhile?  Is it overkill? Thanks, Lee

Response:

Question:

Can somebody give me an elderflower recipe? I was de-cluttering recently, and gave away some of my old winemaking books ( and I am a traditional horder)  and I now need them. I’m glad that I’ve found this site. Hopefully. Chris.

Response:

Can somebody give me an elderflower recipe?

Chris, if you can scroll down to the previous thread on this subject, both Ben Rotter and I gave you answers to the same question the last time you asked.  If you can’t find the thread, send me an email and I’ll repeat…. Jack Keller, The Winemaking Home Page http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/index.asp

Response:

I find the easiest way to separate flowers from storks is to freeze them first, then gently tap the flowers and they come away easily

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, Just wondering if you can freeze Elderflowers for a short time i.e 1-2 months? My wine making equipment has been put into storage due to building work around the house, and I don’t want to miss the chance of making an Elderflower wine this year.Any help would be appreciated, thanks, Lee.

Response:

Hi all, Just wondering if you can freeze Elderflowers for a short time i.e 1-2 months? My wine making equipment has been put into storage due to building work around the house, and I don’t want to miss the chance of making an Elderflower wine this year.Any help would be appreciated, thanks, Lee.

Response:

Lee,      I’m not too knowlegeable about elderflowers, but I’m pretty sure that those who are, freeze them often. I do know that freezing most fruits does no harm, and often helps by making a pulpier must and aiding in extraction.      Follow your instinct.                                   Mike M – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, Just wondering if you can freeze Elderflowers for a short time i.e 1-2 months?

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Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would like to know how to learn to make wine. I do not know anything. Can anyone advise me on how I can learn to make my own wine. I need to know where I might find some wine making equipment. I live in Grand Rapids Mi. and need to know what type of store I might seek which can sell me the equipment I would need. Is there such a store which caters to  wine making people? I would sincerely appreciate any and all advice. Either here in this newsgroup Thank you in advance for any and all help. Monte (Montgomery)

Hi Monte: Regarding equipment & supplies, I just did a search for "winemaking supplies" at http://www.digitalcity.com/grandrapids/yellowpages/ and found the following listings: ALL LISTINGS  Hubbas Public & Home Brew Kitchen 3113 Plaza Drive Northeast, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 (616) 365-2739  Lake Superior Brewing Supplies Grand Rapids, MI 49508 (616) 281-5870  Le Montueux Vineyard & Winery 2365 8 Mile Road Northwest, Grand Rapids, MI 49544 (616) 784-4554 Also, I would bet that Le Montueux will also be selling raw materials (grapes & juice) to home winemakers next Fall. Additionally, I would recommend calling Le Montueux first for the equipment & supplies, as they will almost certainly be able to answer your winemaking questions better than the homebrew stores (many of which tend to cater more to beermakers). Regarding on-line sources of information & books, I would recommend: General Information Sites: http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/1/0,5716,108451+11,00.html – Excellent article on the entire winemaking process from the Encyclopedia Britannica. http://www.pobox.com/~malak/rcw.faq – Don Buchan & Meg’s fine FAQ for this newsgroup. Basic Instructional Sites: http://www.wyeastlab.com/education/edwiprod.htm – EXCELLENT basic instructions from the Wyeast yeast company. http://www.sentex.net/~kamil/winemaking.html – Very good instructions from Kamil Juice Company (good use of photos). http://wineserver.ucdavis.edu/WineGrape/Homewine/index.htm – A pretty good pdf book on home winemaking from the folks at UCDavis. http://www.spagnols.com/ – Spagnol’s fine site.  From the homepage click on "homebrew handouts" in the upper right, then "wine" from the column on the left, then click on the "making wine from fresh juice" link.  (Also; be sure to read all of the other handouts as well). Advanced Sites: http://home.att.net/~lumeisenman/index.html – Lum Eisenman’s outstanding manual for home winemakers.  THE BEST winemaking site on the web.  BTW, this ng is fortunate to have Lum as one of its resident experts. http://home.pacbell.net/toms/ – Web site of another ng regular: TomS. Tom is our resident expert on the creation of fine California Chardonnay, as well as on the subject of "Debourbage" (the clearing of juice prior to fermentation). http://www.raptoridge.com/oct96.html – Scott Shull, a maker of Burgundian style Pinot Noir at Raptor Ridge Winery gives a very thorough outline of his technique. More Winemaking Links: http://www.clospepe.com/links/winemaking.htm – A good list of links from Wes Hagen’s fine "Clos Pepe" web site. http://www.geocities.com/NapaValley/1172/ – Jack Keller’s fine site.  Places an emphasis on fruit or "Country" wines.  Jack is also one of the resident experts on the ng. In terms of books, I would recommend that you read the following books, in the following order: _Winemaking: Recipes, Equipment, & Techniques for Making Wine at Home_, Stanley F. Anderson, & Dorothy Anderson. _From Vines to Wines: The Complete Guide to Growing Grapes & Making Your Own Wine__ – Jeff Cox _Grapes into Wine_ – Philip M. Wagner _Modern Winemaking_ – Philip Jackisch _Knowing & Making Wine_ – Emile Peynaud.  The seminal work on the subject. A Masterpiece of remarkable depth & expanse. There.  That should keep you busy for a while! Hope this helps.  Good Luck! and welcome to the World’s Greatest Hobby!! Prosit: Ed — The Viticulture FAQ & Glossary – http://www.itsmysite.com/vitfaq           "I like on the table, when we’re speaking,            The light of a bottle of intelligent wine."                               -Pablo Neruda

Response:

Jack’s website is an excellent…I would even say the best electronic source of home winemaking information. Along with information he has gathered himself, he also directs a visiter to other site that may have information he has not posted himself… Beyong electronic media, there are some excellent books that I suggest reading…My favourite book that I suggest for the newcomer is Terry Gerry’s Joy of Winemaking…This book is written precisely for the newcomer and introduces one to winemaking without having to "know" what its all about…After a few experimental batches one becomes aquainted with the process and can move on to more advanced books, by author’s such as CJJ Berry, Stanely Anderson, Jon Inverson and others. You can also search Amazon.com for winemaking books by searching keyword "winemaking", you’ll find loads of wonderful books, and I am also sure you can get some suggestions here from people who have read many if not most of them…Again my suggestion is getting Terry Gerry’s book first, then move on to the rest. — -Scot Mc Pherson -Ummm….Just Scot

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Monte, look in your Yellow Pages under "Homebrewing" and "Winemaking." Usually, it is the former that the Bells list suppliers under.  Also, use your favorite search engine to search "winemaking supplies" for online ordering if Grand Rapids doesn’t have one. There are many web sites that offer instructions in making wine.  I naturally offer you my own site as an example (the URL is in my signature), but you can also go to http://sarwg.jackkeller.net/links.asp and find many sites listed.  I strongly suggest you go to http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/glossary.asp to become acquainted with the language used in winemaking.  Print it out and look up terms as you encounter them until you know what they mean.  Study the instructions at whatever site you like and if you have specific questions, post them here.  We are all here to help…. Jack Keller, The Winemaking Home Page, http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/index.asp Before you buy.

Response:

Monte, look in your Yellow Pages under "Homebrewing" and "Winemaking." Usually, it is the former that the Bells list suppliers under.  Also, use your favorite search engine to search "winemaking supplies" for online ordering if Grand Rapids doesn’t have one. There are many web sites that offer instructions in making wine.  I naturally offer you my own site as an example (the URL is in my signature), but you can also go to http://sarwg.jackkeller.net/links.asp and find many sites listed.  I strongly suggest you go to http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/glossary.asp to become acquainted with the language used in winemaking.  Print it out and look up terms as you encounter them until you know what they mean.  Study the instructions at whatever site you like and if you have specific questions, post them here.  We are all here to help…. Jack Keller, The Winemaking Home Page, http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/index.asp Before you buy.

Response:

I would like to know how to learn to make wine. I do not know anything. Can anyone advise me on how I can learn to make my own wine. I need to know where I might find some wine making equipment. I live in Grand Rapids Mi. and need to know what type of store I might seek which can sell me the equipment I would need. Is there such a store which caters to  wine making people? I would sincerely appreciate any and all advice. Either here in this newsgroup Thank you in advance for any and all help. Monte (Montgomery)

Response:

Question:

Like you think you got a treasure here?  THROW IT AWAY IF YOU DON’T KNOW HOW

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Recently had the good fortune to pick up some wine making equipment from a guy that was getting out making wines at home.  I picked up glass carboys and lots of bottles. He also had some chemicals, some were opened and I threw those away, but he had two containers of Yeast Energizer, 100 tablet container with a net wt of 6.8 grams (identified as Thiamine HCL, Lactrose).  Label indicated "made in England." There are two of these containers, both stilled sealed and he informed me that they should be refrigerated. My questions are: 1) Are these necessary to get yeast to re-energize, or more specific, are they recommended? 2)  Is it necessaary to refrigerate?  If so, for how long? 3)  How much of these are necessary per gallon and when should they be introduced to a new wine? Sincerely appreciate any help with this. Jim

Response:

Recently had the good fortune to pick up some wine making equipment from a guy that was getting out making wines at home.  I picked up glass carboys and lots of bottles.   He also had some chemicals, some were opened and I threw those away, but he had two containers of Yeast Energizer, 100 tablet container with a net wt of 6.8 grams (identified as Thiamine HCL, Lactrose).  Label indicated "made in England." There are two of these containers, both stilled sealed and he informed me that they should be refrigerated. My questions are: 1) Are these necessary to get yeast to re-energize, or more specific, are they recommended? 2)  Is it necessaary to refrigerate?  If so, for how long? 3)  How much of these are necessary per gallon and when should they be introduced to a new wine? Sincerely appreciate any help with this. Jim

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Question:

Brian, where is "Seven Oaks"? Come on, everyone knows it is outside of Circleville…

Which Seven Oaks? The shopping center in Abbottsford, BC?  The school in Winnipeg? The travel park in Hudson, FL? The B&B in Gippsland, Victoria? The Cab S wine made by J. Lohr Estates in San Jose, CA? The school in Eagle, ID? The dam in San Berdoo? Or the movie studio outside of Los Angeles (after taxes).

Response:

Come on, everyone knows it is outside of Circleville…

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –      Brian, where is "Seven Oaks"?              Jim L.

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A big big jug. — Free audio & video emails, greeting cards and forums Talkway – http://www.talkway.com – Talk more ways (sm)

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what’s a demijohn? pete – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does,nt anyone want free demijohns.? Cant I give them away to anyone who will collect them from me in Sevenoaks Kent UK!!!! "

Response:

Brian In a genuine effort to help you: Try contacting Barrie6 (higher up in the postings), presumably there will be another circle in your area who would be only to happy to divest you of your unwanted glassware. On the other hand you could just give the whole thing  up as a bad job and get fermenting again! LP

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does,nt anyone want free demijohns.? Cant I give them away to anyone who will collect them from me in Sevenoaks Kent UK!!!! Mike As Lois Lane said. Sorry : Could not resist. . LP But I thought it was in Kent!! Mike Come on, everyone knows it is outside of Circleville…      Brian, where is "Seven Oaks"?              Jim L.

Response:

Free demijohns in Bugtussle!? I’ll be by to collect them tonight!! Brian Cechony

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –      Oh! That’s right!  It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump out side of Bugtussle.              Jim L.

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How far of a drive is it from Long Island New York? One size fits all Buy the best and have it for life

Response:

Now cut that out! I live out in the sticks on Petticoat lane, right at the junction with another road. We get kinda tired of jokes about a certain sitcom from the 60’s.                     Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –      Oh! That’s right!  It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump out side of Bugtussle.              Jim L.

Response:

Does,nt anyone want free demijohns.? Cant I give them away to anyone who will collect them from me in Sevenoaks Kent UK!!!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Mike As Lois Lane said. Sorry : Could not resist. . LP But I thought it was in Kent!! Mike Come on, everyone knows it is outside of Circleville…      Brian, where is "Seven Oaks"?              Jim L.

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     Oh! That’s right!  It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump out side of Bugtussle.              Jim L.

Response:

Mike As Lois Lane said. Sorry : Could not resist. . LP

But I thought it was in Kent!! Mike

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Come on, everyone knows it is outside of Circleville…      Brian, where is "Seven Oaks"?              Jim L.

Response:

But I thought it was in Kent!! Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Come on, everyone knows it is outside of Circleville…      Brian, where is "Seven Oaks"?              Jim L.

Response:

     Brian, where is "Seven Oaks"?              Jim L.

Response:

I have about 12 demijohns and a number of other items of wine making equipment for disposal to anyone prepared to come and get them. I live in Sevenoaks

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Question:

There is a facility Called Bacchus Wine School in Toms River (Ocean County).  I don’t have the telephone number offhand. Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We have heard of wine making facilities somewhere in central NJ where one can go and purchase from a selection of grapes, use the presses and other wine making equipment (vats, barrels etc.), all for a fee. The people paying the fees and making the wine then show up at the appropriate times to do the necessary tasks in the wine making process, all the time using the material purchased and the equipment rented at the site. They can select from types of bottles/labels or obtain their own. We are trying to locate such a facility in the central NJ area (near the shore) and would greatly appreciate any info anyone might have. Thanks in advance. Thanks.

Response:

there is asite in Freeholf where you can brew your own beer and wine

Response:

We have heard of wine making facilities somewhere in central NJ where one can go and purchase from a selection of grapes, use the presses and other wine making equipment (vats, barrels etc.), all for a fee. The people paying the fees and making the wine then show up at the appropriate times to do the necessary tasks in the wine making process, all the time using the material purchased and the equipment rented at the site. They can select from types of bottles/labels or obtain their own. We are trying to locate such a facility in the central NJ area (near the shore) and would greatly appreciate any info anyone might have. Thanks in advance. Thanks.

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Question:

Like I said, I was leaving pink v white to the experts… From http://www.thebrewhouse.com/frameset.htm: THE BEER GEEK’S TECH TIP (11/01/98) If you’ve made wine before, but it’s your first time for beer, remember: sulphite sanitizing solutions aren’t powerful enough for beer. With its high pH and low alcohol content, beer needs something stronger. Sani-Brew works well, but requires a minimum contact time of 20 minutes. Any less and you might as well not bother. A good alternative sanitizer is Iodophor. Mixed properly, Iodophor works on contact and, best of all, requires no rinsing. Iodophor in a spray bottle can speed up your brewing day considerably.

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Intrigued about sake?

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Hi .. I just purchased a wine making equipment kit. Before I purchase the actual wine juice I wanted to get some recommendations as to which wine kits are better. I want a Quality  wine that may take a little longer. I’m in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada so a recommendation for a supplier/retail outlet would be nice too. Thanks in Advance Gary

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You’ve come to the right place. Vancouver suppliers – Spagnols on Annacis Island 524-9463 is probably the largest retailer and maker of kits. Their products are sold far and wide, they also have a good web site at www.spagnols.com which has both useful handouts on wine & beer making and a small bulletin board which I check reasonably frequently. A good place to ask questions if you are having any problems with their kits. I would recommend considering making wine from juice, which they retail year round, although at this time of the year the selection is much better. The last time I called the juice line the Zinfandel was sold out, but they had – burgundy cabernet sauvignon & merlot, the washington state juice wasn’t in yet, it is more expensive than the california juice but I haven’t been at this long enough to compare. The web site discusses all their kits, but doesn’t give prices so you’ll have to call them. You can get juice information from them by calling and either asking for the "juice line" or listen to the prompted recording after hours. (Clearly I’m a fan, but anyone in Vancouver into winemaking should check them out.) By the way I’ve found their products for sale through Save-On foods/Overwaitea. The other obvious choice would be one of the Wine-Art outlets. They also have a web-site and are more focussed on kit-Wine brewing supplies. They are likely to be more convenient than Spagnols, since they have several outlets around vancouver, and I tend to use them for general supplies. Although I haven’t dealt with them, nor visited the store "Bosa’s" in burnaby are a reseller for Peter Brehm’s products which I gather are of high quality but expensive. I have not explored much  beyond this, nor have I bothered talking to the "vint-on-premise" people a great deal to see if they offer any products or services locally that would be useful. I am looking for a local supplier of Moste Mondale juices or Kamil juices if anyone knows one just to get my hands on some grape-juice varieties that Spagnols doesn’t carry. A great place to start for BC based winemakers who are internet browsers is the BC Amateur winemakers Association web-site where you can find links to information and local suppliers… plus all the useful winemaking texts online (many,many thanks LUM ). try  http://members.home.net/bcawa Track down the FAQ for this group if you need to review the whole issue of kit-juice-grape etc.etc. Best of luck and enjoy. SS * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

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…snip… Their products are sold far and wide, they also have a good web site at www.spagnols.com which has both useful handouts on wine & beer making and a small bulletin board which I check reasonably frequently. …snip…

Another vote for Spagnols.  Spagnols products are the highest quality kits I have yet used.  Both the Vino del Vida (a mid-level kit) & the Callar Classic (a high-end kit) are very good.  BTW; I actually think that the Vino del Vida is a better _value_ for the price.  Anyway…both kits are excellent & the Spagnols kits also have the best instructions on the market. Although I haven’t dealt with them, nor visited the store "Bosa’s" in burnaby are a reseller for Peter Brehm’s products which I gather are of high quality but expensive….snip…

On a related topic…I received my Brehm catalogue today….5 US gallon (19L) pails of must for $100US to $125!…Each year after getting the Brehm catalogue I go out to the vineyard and tell the Baco Noir how much I love them! -Ed — "Wine is sunlight, held together by water…"  -Louis Pasteur

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – …snip… Their products are sold far and wide, they also have a good web site at www.spagnols.com which has both useful handouts on wine & beer making and a small bulletin board which I check reasonably frequently. …snip… Another vote for Spagnols.  Spagnols products are the highest quality kits I have yet used.  Both the Vino del Vida (a mid-level kit) & the Callar Classic (a high-end kit) are very good.  BTW; I actually think that the Vino del Vida is a better _value_ for the price.  Anyway…both kits are excellent & the Spagnols kits also have the best instructions on the market. Although I haven’t dealt with them, nor visited the store "Bosa’s" in burnaby are a reseller for Peter Brehm’s products which I gather are of high quality but expensive….snip… On a related topic…I received my Brehm catalogue today….5 US gallon (19L) pails of must for $100US to $125!…Each year after getting the Brehm catalogue I go out to the vineyard and tell the Baco Noir how much I love them! -Ed — "Wine is sunlight, held together by water…"  -Louis Pasteur

Spagnols is the only place that I have found that sells Vinodine,  which is a light stable 0.0156N  iodine for sulfite analysis, that makes calibration unnecessary.  Saves me a world of worry and time. latron clyde

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Try R&J Grape Products "Just The Juice".  One kit contains 23 liters of sterilized must and the add pack of yeast and other ingredients needed for complete production.  The reds are Cab Sauv.; Pinot Noir and Merlot.  They recomment ageing the wine one year in carboy before bottling.  The whites they offer are Reisling, Chardonnay and ….I can’t remember the other one.

Sauvignon Blanc. Brian

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Vitners Reserve makes a nice Zin. I’m assuming you mean red Zin. I make 5 gal. from it, instead of their recommended 6 gal.  I believe this is a Canadian based company.

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Just a quick update. I checked the spagnols juiceline today and they have california zinfandel at Cdn$2.99/litre. I think that making wine from juice is about as easy as making it from a kit with comparable results. Phone yourself before going out there though because supplies of fresh juice change daily at this time of the year. ss * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

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Try R&J Grape Products "Just The Juice".  One kit contains 23 liters of sterilized must and the add pack of yeast and other ingredients needed for complete production.  The reds are Cab Sauv.; Pinot Noir and Merlot.  They recomment ageing the wine one year in carboy before bottling.  The whites they offer are Reisling, Chardonnay and ….I can’t remember the other one. Very good kits.  You’ll pay 70 bucks for it.  The grapes are from chilly. Each kit includes a brix, pH and acid reading for your must. R&J Grape Products has a web sight. Regards, Jeff Chorniak.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi .. I just purchased a wine making equipment kit. Before I purchase the actual wine juice I wanted to get some recommendations as to which wine kits are better. I want a Quality  wine that may take a little longer. I’m in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada so a recommendation for a supplier/retail outlet would be nice too. Thanks in Advance Gary

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