| The science of wine making is called enology. Most | | | | than good health. |
| home wine makers are not scientists and may | | | | How to Make Wine |
| not be familiar with the term, but they are wine | | | | The easy way is to purchase a home wine |
| lovers that appreciate the great taste of wines. If | | | | making kit that usually consists of a three to five |
| you make wine yourself the satisfaction is | | | | gallon container (fermentor), hydrometer, stopper |
| especially rewarding. Making your own wine has a | | | | and fermentation lock, syphonhose, sterilizer and |
| number of benefits. First, it is less expensive than | | | | reference book. The ingredients (grape juice, |
| buying wine commercially. You have control over | | | | sugar, and yeast) are usually sold separately. |
| the recipe and the ingredients that go into the | | | | There are many different types of kits to choose |
| wine you produce. Second, making your own wine | | | | from or you can obtain the items separately |
| is enjoyable, especially when you share it with | | | | from local resources. Typically a four or five gallon |
| friends and family. | | | | water container serves very well as a fermentor. |
| Making wine is extraordinarily simple. Wine is made | | | | Any fruit juice may be used to make wine. The |
| when yeast is added to grape juice or most any | | | | basic fruit must be mashed or liquefied to release |
| other kind of juice. The basic ingredients are juice, | | | | the active ingredients in the fruit. This can be |
| yeast, sugar and water. The yeast consumes the | | | | done with a small fruit press or even a kitchen |
| sugar in the juice mixture and produces carbon | | | | blender. My basic recipe is as follows:o 4 gallons of |
| dioxide gas and alcohol. The carbon dioxide gas | | | | red grape juiceo Approximately 4 pounds of |
| bubbles out of the juice and what is left is wine. | | | | sugar. The amount of sugar is determined by the |
| It's just that simple. | | | | specific gravity of the mixture. I usually shoot for |
| The question is often asked "is drinking wine | | | | a specific gravity reading of 0.9960 of the |
| healthy?" Beyond the fact that wine contains | | | | mixture before fermentation. Determining the |
| alcohol, which taking in moderation, is not | | | | specific gravity at start will determine the alcohol |
| considered adverse to good health. The presence | | | | content at finish. The amount of sugar also |
| of other compounds in wine, particularly red | | | | determines if the finished wine will be dry or |
| wines, promotes good health for most wine | | | | sweat. Carefully read your hydrometer as each |
| consumers. The compound poly-phenolic | | | | hydrometer is different. You should consult the |
| flavonoids, which are antioxidants, are of particular | | | | booklet that comes with the hydrometer for |
| benefit in promoting good health. Chiefly found in | | | | correct use.o Approximately one gallon of water |
| red grape skins, the concentrations tend to be | | | | to dissolve the sugaro One half teaspoon of |
| high in red wines because the skins are included in | | | | baker's instant yeast dissolved (activated) in |
| the fermentation process. | | | | water.o Stir the mixture and install the |
| Alcohol's health benefits favor the cardiovascular | | | | fermentation lock. I use a cork with a quarter inch |
| system, and dramatically reduces the risks of | | | | plastic hose that ends in a small bottle of water. |
| atherosclerotic heart attacks, ischemic strokes | | | | This trap is necessary to prevent the atmosphere |
| and limb amputations due to compromised blood | | | | from contaminating the mixture.o Place the |
| supply. In addition, the antioxidants in wine | | | | fermentation container in an environment that is |
| modulate the blood clotting that climaxes heart | | | | between 70 and 80 degree. Fermentation |
| attacks and strokes. They also help by inhibiting | | | | (bubbling) will start almost immediately.o |
| the oxidation of LDL, the bad cholesterol, to its | | | | Fermentation will end (bubbling stops) in about 21 |
| dangerous form. Research data supports | | | | days at which time drain the contents less the |
| moderate consumption of wine with a longer and | | | | sediment into another container using a siphon |
| healthier life than that of abstainers. | | | | hose. This is called racking.o Let set for three to |
| However, wine is not for everyone. Certain | | | | six months and bottle |
| medical conditions are worsened by the | | | | This is a basic recipe that can be altered by |
| consumption of wine, so it's vital you seek the | | | | experience and personal preference. |
| advice of your personal physician if you are in less | | | | Happy wine making. |