I got the homebrew bug again!!!

[rustylady]

Haven't made any for years. But went to daughters at the weekend and she took me round to the local brewshop. Red wine (from their own concentrate) now blupping nicely, and plum (from plums in the freezer) fizzing away in the brewing bucket. Should be ready for straining into a DJ in a couple of days.

[Brengirl]

Don't talk about it please.... Over the years I have fermented, racked, waited and waited for the final countdown. Always down the sink.
I have all the paraphernalia but just cannot make a drinkable slurp.

[rustylady]

Oh Bren, what a shame. I used to make loads. Most of them really good. Best ever was a blackberry wine which I fortified with Woods Rum. The answer is a good recipe and patience.

[Brengirl]

Just the push I needed. With a little help from my friends I may attain the state of inebriation without it costing my arms and legs.

[shirlthegirl43]

Don't talk about it please.... Over the years I have fermented, racked, waited and waited for the final countdown. Always down the sink.
I have all the paraphernalia but just cannot make a drinkable slurp.

Do you have a Wilkinsons near you? If so, get yourself a Youngs wine kit - ready in 7 days (sometimes less) and guaranteed drinkable for an everyday plonk. If you fancy something more upmarket but still guaranteed, go for a Solomon Grundy Gold kit or a Beaverdale or California Connoiseur. They all make nice wine and as they come in kit form there is nothing to go wrong. It might just give you the confidence and a few hints to help you back to making your own from scratch.

[Two_Sheds]

Do you have a Wilkinsons near you?

We have, but they only stock the very basics. Anyway, we like to support our local independent brew shop

this is all your fault anyway Shirl, with your superb herbal tea wine recipe

[shirlthegirl43]

We have, but they only stock the very basics. Anyway, we like to support our local independent brew shop

this is all your fault anyway Shirl, with your superb herbal tea wine recipe

Glad you like it Two_Sheds. That reminds me I must buy some teabags next time I am shopping

[RoadCar]

When I get my plot I'll start doing home brew I've said I'll do it for years but never gotten round to it, so when I get the plot and hopefully a shed I'll start brewing.

Daniel

[zazen999]

YAY

Mr Z finally agreed we could try making some wine. Bro and SIL have about 30 DJs around the house and he sampled some of their brews all made from knock down priced fruit or freebies from hedgerows and he said we could try a small batch. He's not a mean man or anything, just very very tidy and doesn't like clutter....so this is a big step for him.

So, off to Wilkos today to get some stuff.

[Two_Sheds]

Mr Z finally agreed we could try making some wine.

Hurrah!
Mr TS got a bit huffy when I had 12 DJs in the little room (I've got cunning now, and hidden two or three in different rooms)
I managed to get him to help with racking (only the once: it squirted all over his precious Adidas)

[shirlthegirl43]

Nice one Zazen. If you want to go for guaranteed drinkable for the first try, buy a kit wine.

[zazen999]

Nice one Zazen. If you want to go for guaranteed drinkable for the first try, buy a kit wine.

I'm thinking that's the way to go; and then move onto something more complicated once the season gets under way

I do like the sound of the fruit tea wine....think that will be my second try.

Thank you. xxx

[shirlthegirl43]

Doing a kit takes you through the process step by step and because everything is pre-measured you don't have to worry about it. If you go for a kit that only takes a week then there is no waiting and you get the feel of all the terminology ready for when you do your own.

[Brengirl]

Last year I made elderberry flower cordial (syrup). The only use I have for it is with gooseberries. I am wondering if I can use it for wine. I assume I would have to wait till all it's sugar is used then add when and if necessary.

[Two_Sheds]

I do like the sound of the fruit tea wine....think that will be my second try.

I've done 2 kits now (they were so-so), lots of proper fruit ones and a few veggie wines. I can highly recommend Shirl's herbal tea wine: it's easy, quick, cheap & utterly quaffable