[Capt Zero]

Well I got around to starting my apple wine this morning, had a big job cutting it all up but it's now done. Roll on in about 6 months time when we can sample it.

[finleyfreyaseth]

recipe?

[Capt Zero]

This is for per gallon recipe..(I'm making a 2 gallon batch.)

    10 lb. windfall apples, mixed varieties
    3 lb granulated sugar
    1kg chopped golden raisins or sultanas (wash these to remove any Potassium sorbate)
    1 gallon water
    1 tsp. pectic enzyme
    1 tsp citric acid
    wine yeast and nutrient


Start off by putting the fruit into your bucket with a couple of gallons of water that's got a couple of campden tablets in. Wash the fruit and put to one side to drain, rinse out your bucket. Now chop your fruit and return to the FV.

It's a basic recipe...I've got 20lbs of mixed apples (windfalls) in a 25 lts bucket. Enough water just to cover them.
Place a plate on top so that it holds the apples under the water, pop your lid on. Leave overnight, then add all the rest.

Leave in a warm place for about 10-14 days stirring daily.
Recover the bucket after each stirring.
After about ten days the initial vigorous fermentation will have slowed, you should then strain the liquid off the apples.
This can then be syphoned into clean, sterile demijohns.
Fill the demijohn up to just above their shoulders and fit airlocks.

[Auntiemogs]

Thanks Capt.  At last a use for Mum's windfalls!     Do you have to take out the pips?

[grinling]

just bottled last years and very tasty. Got 3 bags waiting for the mash bin to be emptied of beer.

[Capt Zero]

Thanks Capt.  At last a use for Mum's windfalls!     Do you have to take out the pips?

No need Auntie.. pips will come out when you filter into DJ's...no stalks tho...the last time I made apple wine it was out of this world...so looking forward to this one.

[Daamoot]

Thanks Capt!  I'll be apple picking at my folks this week and this recipe sounds ideal for them.  Without a press your method is far more appealling than using a messy juicer (again).

[Oakdalebirds1]

would pears work in the same way ?

[Capt Zero]

Can't see why not, I've never done it tho....found this recipe on Jack Kellers site HERE may give a try myself if I can get hold of some pears.

[Sparkyrog]

I have not made wine for over 30 years But the last lot I made was pear in a similar fashion ! after 7 years we found a left over bottle .it was like a good dry sherry 

[VegGirl7]

Well I got around to starting my apple wine this morning, had a big job cutting it all up but it's now done. Roll on in about 6 months time when we can sample it.

I'm planning on getting a batch started tomorrow.  Made it a couple of year's ago (didn't manage to get enough apples last year to make any    )  but to a different recipe... it was bloomin lovely though and I still have one bottle left, can't bring myself to drink it because then there'll be none left    

[Capt Zero]

I'm planning on getting a batch started tomorrow.  Made it a couple of year's ago (didn't manage to get enough apples last year to make any    )  but to a different recipe... it was bloomin lovely though and I still have one bottle left, can't bring myself to drink it because then there'll be none left   

This is the problem,  I sometimes  do a gallon beer mash when trying out a new recipe, and when it turns out a great brew you wished you'd brewed 25lts. 

[Capt Zero]

Got stuck into sorting my apple wine this morning, thought I may get 3 gallons but finished up with an extra half gallon.
Checked the SG and hit 1.100...



So that's another good job done, looking forward to the first taste.

[tallulah]

Is this a dry or sweet wine?  Have got bags of eating apples from our trees, nowhere to store them, and desperate not to waste them.  We're moving soon, so hopefully it won't affect the fermentation too much if the demijohns are transported ... I hope?

[Capt Zero]

If you let,  all wine will finish dry....that's the safe way. Then you back sweeten to your taste...and they will travel no problem...