A beginners guide on how to make apple wine

A lot of people ask me questions like, "how many apples or how much grapes does it take to make wine?" Or, "how much sugar do I add to my wine?" In this video, I use the leftover apple cider from our cider smash to make 3 gallons of apple/pear wine. I attempt to cover in a basic manner, the basic things you need to make wine, fermenting fruit, what a hydrometer is and how to use it to tell tell you how much sugar to add to your wine. See here for the "Basic 10" things you should have to make wine: http://www.allmorgan.com/jason/basic-winemaking-equipment.cfm

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• wine
• winemaking
• apple wine
• pear
• howto

[upchuck69]

I bought a property a couple of years ago with 2 MacIntosh apple trees. They don't produce a lot of fruit, I only expect about 2 dozen edible apples this year. Would it be enough for apple wine and do MacIntoshes make good wine?

[krullion]

@upchuck69 Cider is best when you mix a few varieties together. A single type can make a good cider, but if you mixed your McIntosh with at least one other variety (say some Jonathan Gala or Granny Smith,) you would make an excellent cider. The different varieties help balance the acidity and make it more crisp/refreshing. Sounds like you have about a bushel. Add another bushel of a different type and you won't regret it.

[FlushingHouse]

Shoot, I just let 50% mash and 50% water sit in 5 gallon tanks with a couple lbs of sugar and a packet of yeast. ferment 4weeks, prime with a pinch of sugar and wait two more weeks, bottles on thier side in the dark and drink! It's great and simple to make. There should be no cost to this, this is a bit high tech for my taste!

[krullion]

@FlushingHouse Nothing wrong with that. If you like it, that's all that matters. Cheers.

[MrGuerillache]

in the beginning you say the cider is from the "smash". what does this mean?

[krullion]

@MrGuerillache Hi... we do an annual "apple smash" and so I refer to that event as "the smash" take a look. Look up my other video "Jim and Jay's 2009 Apple Smash"

[djcoletrain]

thumbs up if you think he sounds like nicholas cage

[lcw172]

beginners question....... do I have to smash it? I have a Breville juicer, can I juice my apples using it?

[TheHunnyhillbees]

Great video - thanks - it sounds as if you are a real enthusiast!

[FlushingHouse]

Shoot, I just let 50% mash and 50% water sit in 5 gallon tanks with a couple lbs of sugar and a packet of yeast. ferment 4weeks, prine with a pinch of sugar and wait two more weeks, bottles on theor side in the dark and drink! It's great and simple to make. There should be no cost to this, this is a bit high tech for my taste!

[5tonyvvvv]

@krullion I been to Armenia, they make wine with just fruits, grapes pears, they add no yeast nothing!. sometimes honey, but thats it.....can you add hops to wine?

[MrCollinsliam]

i love it ! i vant one of them juice presses