Myself and my Father both have the interest in taking up this hobby. We currently have a big summer house in our back garden which is where I believe we should try to make it. The only problems are the following:
We live in Britain and it the weather and temperature can differentiate all the time (my biggest concern being winter) does this mean that I can’t make wine in there because of an uncontrollable temperature?
We don’t really know where to start, we don’t want to make small amount to begin with we want to make a big batch. What equipment and grapes do I need? Does anyone have any tips for me.
I would like to know the different processes and methods of making wine with some advice on grapes and the measurements/ quantities of ingredients I need.
Also could people tell me how successful their wine making has been because i’d like to know whether or not it’s worthwhile.
Please also tell us where the best place to buy the kits from, e,g ebay.
Thank you

Technorati Tags: back garden, ebay, grapes, measurements, quantities, summer house, weather, wine

I love wines made with Norton grapes (I think they’re also called Cynthiana grapes, but I could be wrong there) Here’s a description of the flavor: "Norton exhibits hints of tart plums, sour cherries, or elderberries and has a spicy nose similar to Syrah. It is stronger in the front and mid-palette and has a velvety finish somewhere between a Merlot and Pinot Noir. Norton is often blended with other grapes like Tannat, Merlot, Syrah, and Petit Verdot to provide a more balanced wine."

I used to drink Chrysalis Norton wines, but since returning to school I am "financially challenged" ie dirt poor. Can anyone suggest a Norton wine under bucks a bottle, or even closer to ? If not, is there a cheap substitute you would suggest?
I am in the NOVA (Northern Virginia) area, so wines I can purchase here definitely make it higher on the list. I will order wine from somewhere else as long as it is inexpensive enough to offset the shipping cost. Thanks!

Technorati Tags: cheap substitute, dirt, elderberries, grapes, merlot, northern virginia area, norton wine, palette, returning to school, shipping cost, sour cherries, wines

I’m going on a second date to a vineyard this weekend. You can taste the wines and buy a bottle there. But, you can’t bring any other drinks on the premises. They sell bottled water, tea, coffee, soda and other nonalcoholic drinks, in addition to wine.

But, you are encouraged to bring your own food, because they don’t sell any food on the premises.

I offered to pack a really nice lunch for me and my date. But, I’m not sure what to pack. He’s picking me up around 12pm and the vineyard is about an hour away. So, we’ll probably be eating around 2pm or so.

I was thinking about doing cheese platter with crackers, pepperoni and maybe some hummus too. But, I wanted to have really nice sandwiches to go with it and possible fruit for dessert.

But, I want the food to go well with wine. Does anyone have any quick, yet gourmet sandwich ideas? What about fruit? Will fresh strawberries and grapes work well?

Technorati Tags: 12pm, 2pm, bottled water, cheese platter, crackers, dessert, fresh strawberries, grapes, hummus, nonalcoholic drinks, pepperoni, possible fruit, premises, sandwich ideas, sandwiches, second date, soda, tea coffee, water tea, wines

I know that Professor Hansen owns vineyards in the area South of Fresno (about 25 miles) but would like to know if he has a winery or just sells his grapes.

Technorati Tags: grapes, professor hansen

I’m going on a second date to a vineyard this weekend. You can taste the wines and buy a bottle there. But, you can’t bring any other drinks on the premises. They sell bottled water, tea, coffee, soda and other nonalcoholic drinks, in addition to wine.

But, you are encouraged to bring your own food, because they don’t sell any food on the premises.

I offered to pack a really nice lunch for me and my date. But, I’m not sure what to pack. He’s picking me up around 12pm and the vineyard is about an hour away. So, we’ll probably be eating around 2pm or so.

I was thinking about doing a cheese platter with crackers, pepperoni and maybe some hummus too. But, I wanted to have really nice sandwiches to go with it and possibly fruit for dessert.

But, I want the food to go well with wine. Does anyone have any quick, yet gourmet sandwich ideas? What about fruit? Will fresh strawberries and grapes work well?

Technorati Tags: 12pm, 2pm, bottled water, cheese platter, crackers, dessert, fresh strawberries, gourmet, grapes, hummus, nonalcoholic drinks, pepperoni, premises, sandwich ideas, sandwiches, second date, soda, tea coffee, water tea, wines

For my Biology class, we have to do a project where we pretend we own a vineyard and we have to make wine…I "picked" my grapes at the beginning of September cause the weather was warm and perfect. I know that right after picking them, you transport the grapes to a truck and water them down, there’s a reason for that but can someone explain why that is? Something about how the water makes the grapes plump (but not too much water so that the sugar content of the grapes go down). Then we go the winery to make the wine. But I’m confused because how much yeast and what solutions do I mix with the grapes to get the best wine? There’s something called brix that we add to the grape juice…I’m so lost. I don’t even drink! I wish I could say that all my grapes died, but I can’t, and I’d like some help from people who make wine.

ps. What’s the best spot to grow grapes? Where would you grown a vineyard?
I just need some ideas and percentages of solutions and yeast to add to the grape juice. I have to write up a lab on the whole thing.

I picked red grapes to make Merlot. That’s okay, right?
The 12 Days of Saturnalia: Haha, no you didn’t ruin my day. Actually I’m very lost, my question shows you just how much I know about making wine, which is next to none.

I’ll research wine making online.

Thanks you guys.

Technorati Tags: biology class, grape juice, grapes, haha, merlot, percentages, saturnalia, sugar content, weather, wine, yeast

I’m interested in planting a vineyard and I am unable to decide between two grape varieties. I need some advice on which variety of grapes I should plant: Cabernet Franc or Cabernet Sauvignon. Thanks in advance for the feedback!

Technorati Tags: cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, grape varieties, grapes, thanks in advance

I recently purchased a vineyard in southern France.

I possess no knowledge of the measurement of time taken to grow, harvest the grapes and conseuquently wine.

If someone could educate me on the process i would be very much obliged.

Technorati Tags: grapes, measurement, southern france, wine

I don’t care whether the grapes are from the Temecula Valley AVA or not. I’m interested in Zinfandel, Port, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz (Syrah), Petite Sirah (Durif), and Meritage (Red Blend). Thanks!

Technorati Tags: ava, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, grapes, merlot, petite sirah, red blend, sangiovese, temecula valley

My fiance is a ranch hand at a large vineyard and right now they are harvesting the grapes. He drives the tractors and gets hit in the face all day by vines. He doesn’t wear glasses or gloves and now his eyes are really red, swollen and burning. Can this be caused by some type of pesticide on the vines?

Technorati Tags: fiance, glasses, gloves, grapes, pesticide, ranch hand, tractors, vines