[clarebear]

Hello guys

I am going to be trying my first hand at winemaking this year. I have a cherry tree in the garden and would like to eventually use the cherries from the tree to make wine. It will be a few years before the tree starts producing cherries i reckon so i thought i migh practice with some from the local fruit and veg stall.

Does anyone have a very detailed recipe for cherry wine. One that a total novice will be able to follow

[flatcap]

hi clarebear,

                                  it might be worth investing in c.j.j.berry first steps

in winemaking book, we got it when we first started and its easy to follow.

                                  cherry wine (medium)

          2 kilos red cherries
          1.3 kilos sugar
          pectic enzyme 1 teaspoon
          4.5 litres water
          yeast and nutrient
 
stone the cherries.crush the fruit into bowl or bucket.pour over 6 pints of boiling water.mash cherries well.

when cool add pectic enzyme.leave for 2 days stirring daily ,then strain onto sugaradd yeast and nutrient stir well.

leave for 24hours covered in a warm place,then put into demijohn,if needed use cold water to bring wine up to bottom of the neck of demijohn.

then leave it to ferment ,racking when the fermentation has just about stopped

excuse any spelling mistakes ,bit early in the morning for copying out of a book

[Tinbasher]

hi clarebear,

                                  it might be worth investing in c.j.j.berry first steps

in winemaking book, we got it when we first started and its easy to follow.

Excellent book that is and nostalgic too.  I've got the 1960 edition which I picked up on a car boot sale years ago.  The cover price is four shillings and sixpence, printed as 4/6.  I paid the stall-holder exactly that for it (22 and a half pence) as I kinda shamed him against asking any more for it.

One of the pages has a pic of CJJ himself fiddling about with demijohns and equipment, whilst clamping a good stout briar pipe between his teeth.  Imagine that these days.     That's a good section as well, explaining how to tap Birch (and other) trees for sap to make Birch Sap Wine.  Keep saying I'll have a go, but never get round to it.

Tis a good plain and simple book though and all the recipes work well and are easy to follow.

"Hidalgo's Grape Concentrate - 1959/60 crop - 52 shillings and sixpence a gallon - deliveries by post or railway gladly arranged at cost."