Steve

[SBoccanfuso]

Evening,

My name is Steve and I am from Anchorage, AK and I have been making wine for 6 years now and somehow became bored. I started brewing beer and I have successfully brewed two Gluten free beers. A Sorghum Blonde (Dirty Blonde) and a Gluten Free Double Chocolate Oatmeal Stout. I am happy that I crossed over and I intend on continuing on because truthfully I feel that brewing beer has some challenges that making wine does not. To be fair I will continue both just for the fun and enjoyment of home-brewing.

[keelanfish]

Welcome! I appreciate Alaska taking the entire winter's cold for the rest of the country. It was a balmy 65f down here in Atlanta today I've been thinking about trying a batch of wine. Any tips for a beginner?

[SBoccanfuso]

Keelanfish,

It isn't too hard to make wine. If you can brew beer then you have it licked. It is basically all about what you like. The big difference is that wine requires you to stir the must once a day, but the biggest difference is that it could take up to 6 months to clarify a wine naturally. The other difference is that you will need Potassium Sorbate to kill off the yeast in order to stop fermentation. Your gravity readings need to be spot on in order to attain a certain dryness or sweetness. The one thing about wine I do like is the ability to fortify, or add a Vodka or brandy to enhance flavor or preservative. I mainly used to for a preservative because I do not believe in sulfates. I have been making my own fruit wines from fresh fruit but I definately recommend a peruse through the following website, http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/ I have used his knowledge base many times to correct problems and create new recipes. Jack Keller has some fantastic recipes and he also gives you alternatives and his very loud opinion about the taste. Check it out, it might open some doors.