All Excited!!

[BrideXIII]

My wine making kit has arrived!

I couldn't find a starter kit on wilkinsons online, and as they are miles from me I just ordered some fresh supplies etc and got the kit from elsewhere online ( southwick is DEAD when it comes to GYO or homebrewing).

It came with a nice glass demijohn , fermentation bin and all the necessary, and alongside the 4 DJ's I was given I now have all the things required to get started.

the other 4 DJ's I am going to use to try this :
BBC - h2g2 - How To Make Juice Wines
it was the simplest recipe I could find with regards to ingredients, and the cheapest option when I have no idea what I am doing.
I have sterilised everything with miltons, and now have to WAIT!!! arghhhh until tomorrow cos the water has to sit for 24 hours to de-chlorinate.

wish me luck

[Two_Sheds]

Good luck to you. I used to make Fruit Juice wine when I was a student ... it wasn't very nice, but was very quick, and tasted okay mixed into a punch for parties.

Have some 'proper' stuff on the go at the same time ...

[Two_Sheds]

( southwick is DEAD when it comes to GYO or homebrewing).

ha ha, Southwick is dead, period
I left all my DJs in a student flat in Brighton, I'm sure it's all still there if you want to go get it

[BrideXIII]

ha ha, Southwick is dead, period
I left all my DJs in a student flat in Brighton, I'm sure it's all still there if you want to go get it

dreadful place, but we love it.

I have red grape juice and white grape juics and some apple to try, also found several jars of german honey ( gifts from exchange students) in the cupboard so have more than enough for a couple of DJ's of mead which is my fave tipple.

[Headfry]

Well done Bride XIII , welcome to the very addictive club of wine makers. I have three lots on the go at the moment.
Pumpkin
Blackcurrant
Elderflower!

Keep us posted please!

[BrideXIII]

well I have been unable to do more than start the kit one off this week, as the kitchen fitters are in, nearly done though, tomorrow I can mover the kitchen back out of the lounge, and then I am going to start the mead mmmmmmmmm!

oh and cjj berry arrived this morning.

[Nicos]

oh and cjj berry arrived this morning.

Fantastic book!!...( or are you using a code unknown to me for a type of juice???? )

[BrideXIII]

LOL, no definately the book, not had time to start reading yet, but I have all the equipment together.

one question I do have, and rather an important one, is about sugar, i have read, dont use ordinary, use brewers or it will affect the taste, but quite frankly, round here, there is no chance of getting hold of brewers sugar, so what would you recommend?

[Nicos]

No idea- sorry- but I google this- and if you look at the tiny writing on the brewing sugar packet it says 'Glucose Powder'

Beer ingredients - Powders : Art of Brewing Beer ingredients - Powders UK

[shirlthegirl43]

LOL, no definately the book, not had time to start reading yet, but I have all the equipment together.

one question I do have, and rather an important one, is about sugar, i have read, dont use ordinary, use brewers or it will affect the taste, but quite frankly, round here, there is no chance of getting hold of brewers sugar, so what would you recommend?

I use regular granulated sugar all the time. I wouldn't worry too much about the brewers sugar malarkey.

[BrideXIII]

I use regular granulated sugar all the time. I wouldn't worry too much about the brewers sugar malarkey.

well idid wonder, there is always unrefined brown, and demarara as well, all must impart a differennt flavour, part of the fun is in the experiment.

[shirlthegirl43]

now the brown sugars would definately affect the taste, can imagine them being good in some brews

[BrideXIII]

well there is ten litres of mead on the go now, and I have started the fruit juice wines as well, so we shall see what happens, if anything.

[BrideXIII]

well something is definately happening,
the airlocks are plopping away happily on all 4 DJ's
the mead you can tell is very active, cos the orange peel and ginger is swimming around happily.
I topped up the fruit juice ones because contrary to the recipe they didn't froth up madly, just nice and steady.

I did take hydro readings of each before starting, but to be honest that part of the book just confused the heck out of me.

[shirlthegirl43]

So long as you took a note of the readings it will all sort of become clear in time. Basically, you need the starting SG so that you know how strong the brew is when it finishes (also helps to know if it has stalled or finished fermenting sometimes).

Well done on your brewing so far - hope the fruit juice doesn't go ballistic and overflow everywhere now! It sometimes starts quietly then goes daft so be warned.