As for supplies that you will need, they are all pretty straightforward:
• A good sanitizer (again!)
• A bottle brush or a jet rinser
• Racking cane with plastic tubing -or- a bottle filler with an automatic shut off
• Bottles (of course!)
• Corks, unless you are using some other sealing method
• A bottle corker
These supplies are all you need for a flat wine. If you want to make a sparkling wine, you'll need special bottles and corks, as well as a way to hold those corks in the bottle. In addition, you'll need some priming sugar to add to the bottles before they are filled.
I very highly recommend the automatic bottle filler, as it will make your life much easier. If you are simply using a racking cane and tubing, you will almost certainly have a mess on your hands as you try to crimp the hose between bottles and manage the flow of wine. It will also ensure that enough space is left in the neck of the bottles for a cork to fit without trouble. As for the corks and corker, this is the traditional way to seal up wine for the long term. There is some debate as to whether or not this is actually the best method. Yet, for a romantic and traditionalist such as me, it is satisfying to have a real cork in the bottle.
Filling your bottles
Once you have all of the bottles thoroughly sanitized and scrubbed, it is time to begin. Before you get to busy with filling your bottles, though, take the corks that you will be using and place them in some warm water. This will make sure that they will slide into the neck of your bottles easily.
Filling your bottles is pretty straightforward, and there are only a couple tips I have for you at this point. If you are not using an automatic bottle filler, ensure that you are leaving about ¾" to 1" from the top of your bottle. You need enough space for the cork to fit in, and a little room besides. Another thing you want to avoid is sloshing the wine around too much. If too much air gets mixed into the wine at this point, you risk oxidizing the wine, which results in a sour wine that is not very good.
To Cork, or not to cork?
Once all of your bottles are filled up, it is time to put a proper seal on them. As I mentioned above, corks are the traditional way to do this. There are alternatives out there, however. These alternatives include, but are not limited to:
1. Plastic corks, rather than corkwood
2. Screw caps, and
3. metal caps, such as those found on individual bottles of beer. This is popular for lightly sparkling meads, and I have even encountered some home made white wines served this way!
There are benefits and drawbacks to each of these methods, but the end goal is always the same: an airtight seal that will hold for a long, long time. As for using the corker, be sure to follow the instructions that came with the device, as there are several different types out there, and they tend to operate a little differently.
Embellishment
Once all of that is complete, then comes my favorite part! I really go to town with my labels and decoration on the bottles, as I tend to take a fair share of pride in what I've made. Creating a fancy label and coming up with fun names for my wines tends to serve as a distraction while I wait for the batch to ferment. It also allows me to be creative, which is something that never gets old!
There are many ways to customize the look of your finished wine. Sealing wax is one of my favorites, and I have a little customized stamp to imprint the wax on the top. Foil around the top of the bottle is also a popular method. It's all a matter of choice and personal style.
I have seen many home winemakers label there wines with nothing more than a little white freezer label, and there's not a thing wrong with that! The important piece is to have fun with it! It's all you at this point!
Aging your wine
How long must you wait to enjoy your wines? Well, that depends on what kind of wine it is. You'll hear people talk about "peak drinkability" when they discuss the aging of their wines. All wines develop in the bottle and reveal startling changes as they get older. There's a bit of a "bell curve" as wine ages, where it will reach an optimum level of flavor and aroma. After it reaches its peak, a wine will slowly begin to decline in flavor. Red wines, in my opinion, age the best, and can surprise you with level of complexity and richness that they acquire. A red wine can be delicious after years and years in bottle. White wines tend to reach their peak sooner, and are usually at their best about a year or two in the bottle. Meads tend to reach their top flavor and complexity about six to nine months after bottling. Wines made from fruit vary widely. There really isn't a hard rule of thumb here, and it's a matter of taste, really. As you continue to make wine, you'll find what your particular tastes are and what you enjoy.
Look for my next article, entitled Step By Step Home Winemaking, Enjoying Your Wine, where I will explore what "good" wine is, and I'll expand on a few of the terms you often hear when people taste and discuss wines. Enjoy!
Joshua T. is an avid home brewer, gardener and recreationalist. For those interested in learning more about brewing wine at home, please visit http://www.squidoo.com/Winemakingtips.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joshua_Traversie
Posts
