Expert: Paul Wagner - 8/21/2005

Question
Hi,
That's a wonderful statement of your expertise.  I'm going to try to remember and use that sometime.  (My name is also Wagner.)

Every year about this time, when our scuppernongs ripen, I wonder about this.  I wouldn't want to spend any important money on it.  We only have two vines and a 50' section of fence where they are.  Is there a cheap way to try making 2-3 bottles of wine?  

Art

Answer
Hi Art:

There is nothing cheaper than making your own wine!  The ancients did just fine by picking all the grapes, crushing them, and letting them ferment all on their own.  After a few weeks, they had a nice, fresh wine that was quite drinkable. Siphon it off the dregs and drink away.  It was good enough for the Last Supper, after all!

If you want to get a little more scientific about it...

1.  Pick the grapes when they are really ripe--not just sweet to your taste, but when the seeds inside begin to turn a little brown, and the grapes are not just sweet, but also even just a little soft...

2.  Instead of waiting for natural yeast to get to work, buy some winemaking yeast.  It is usually stronger, ferments cleaner, and can withstand higher alcohol levels.

3.  After this, it get really complicated--analysis of the juice, chemical additions, barrel aging, etc.  Beware.   this is a lot of fun, and once you get started, you may not want to stop.

4.  Phillip Wagner (no relation to me...what about to you?) wrote a great book on home winemaking.  Get it from the library, or buy it through Barnes & Noble...

One more thing, Art--you will want to crush the grapes, and then remove all the stems from the grapes.  This is hand work...no easy way to do it.  And if you want, you will need to press the juice off the skins.  You can just squeeze it all in cheesecloth...or get creative.  I once build a home wine press out of an old car jack and some window screen...grin

Good luck, and have fun!

Paul Wagner