Monday, February 15, 2016

A Beginner's Guide to Choosing Wine Making Supplies

By Matthew Campbell


If you are a wine lover but find that purchasing bottles on a regular basis is too pricey, you may want to try making your own. In the past, homemade vintages often were of very low quality but this has changed. Buying the right wine making supplies may seem intimidating but it doesn't have to be. Here are some tips that you can use to take the guesswork out of purchasing the equipment and kits you need to make some amazing wine in your own home.

One thing to consider is the juice that you are using. If you want to make traditional types your choices will be fairly straightforward but if you want to branch out into different varieties you may need to add extra flavorings and additives. You also need to make sure that you have a supply of the various chemicals that you will add to the batch as it is fermenting. While many of these come with pre-assembled kits you can also find these ingredients sold separately.

A few basic pieces of equipment are needed. A primary fermentation container is where the yeast is added to the juice. It is large enough to hold a large quantity of liquid. Once the fermentation process is complete, it is siphoned off into another container such as a large glass bottle (known as a carboy). As the wine ferments you will also need a hydrometer in order to test the specific gravity.

If you are making your batch from scratch instead of a kit you will need to purchase a few different chemicals. These usually include clarifiers and chemicals that will stop the fermentation process. You may want to search around to find what the best options are for the kind of wine that you are fermenting. For beginners, a kit that includes juice, chemicals and instructions will be a good idea as it will take you through the fermenting process step by step.

If you are unsure about which kit to use, you may want to start by thinking about which variety you like to drink most. You may find that it can be helpful to speak to the staff at a self brewing store as they will often have good advice about which kits work well. Some manufacturers even have guides out that talk about what each variety tastes like and which kit can give you the best results.

Bottling equipment will also be necessary. You will need a supply of reusable bottles and some corks to put in them. These fit tightly so it is also worthwhile to buy a corker that will make this process easier. A rack will be a good addition as well since most kits make in the neighborhood of two dozen bottles. Unless you are giving them away as gifts you will need a place to store them until you have consumed them.

Although it doesn't take a lot of equipment to ferment your batch you will need a space where it can rest undisturbed. If you do not have the room at your home you may want to look at making your batch at a self-brewing store.

Its always a good idea to start your shopping process by speaking with staff at a brewing store or by looking at a website. You should be able to find supplies there as well as get some guidance as to which products will meet your needs the best.




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