How to Make Homemade Wine - The Basic Steps From Humdrum to Magic
By Maria De Alejandro

If you are curious about how to make homemade wine you are not alone. This is a hobby that many undertake, and some decide to make it their life's work.

The idea of turning one ordinary substance into a completely different one is downright mysterious. It surely must have seemed that way to the first person, thousands of years ago, who accidentally ended up with a jug of wine, when he or she only had some grape juice! And since that fantastic day people have been improving on the process when harvest time comes around.

There are many reasons why people want to learn how to make homemade wine. Some are intrigued by the tradition and history, others feel close to nature, and still others relish the personal satisfaction of turning humdrum juice into magic.

Winemaking usually follows a pattern, a calendar that moves forward from harvest to harvest. And like the planting, tending, and harvest, it is very much related to the cycle of life. Do not expect to have good results in weeks. In order to produce decent wine you will need to labor for months or more!

Your success will depend on carefully planning the process. As a newbie winemaker you should make up in careful planning what you lack in experience.

The first thing to consider will be the place where you are going to set up your winemaking activities. It doesn't have to be a large space; a 10' by 10' feet area, or even smaller, will be fine. One of the considerations that you need to take into account is the fact that you will need plenty of water in order to wash and clean your equipment, so keep that in mind when you chose the place where you will be working.

Use the best ingredients available. Winemaking is a labor of love, and the amount of time and effort will be considerable; don't cheat yourself by buying low quality ingredients and supplies.

Make a plan of each step that you are going to take, write everything down in detail. Take copious notes of each step as you go along. This will come in handy the following year, when you start all over again.

To get an idea of what you will be facing, here is a rundown of the basic steps that you will be following:

1. You need to decide where in your home you are going to set up your winemaking operation.

2. Buy the supplies and equipment.

3. If you are using grapes, begin the crush. If you are using a kit, begin the process by following the instructions provided with your kit.

4. Test for sugar and acidity.

5. Begin fermentation.

6. If you are using grapes, press the wine off the solids.

7. Begin second fermentation.

8. Rack the wine after solids have settled.

9. After solids have settled again, rack one more time.

10. Test wine for sugar levers and acidity and taste it.

11. Rack wine one more time to clarify it, if desired.

12. Bottle wine.

13. Age in a cool place, away from sunlight.

A very important thing to remember is to have fun. Making wine can enrich your life in so many ways, so enjoy the ride.

Now you know how to make homemade wine.

Maria De Alejandro is the publisher of http://www.keepwinesimple.com -- A website dedicated to the idea that wine education should be useful, practical, and fun. We believe that the best wine is the one you love. It's just that the more you know about wine, the more you will enjoy it. To read more about how to make homemade wine please go to http://www.keepwinesimple.com/home-made-wine.html, there you will find information about wine making supplies and equipment. Additionally, you can download an interesting ebook about grape growing and wine making in the United States in the mid-1800s.

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