Harvesting or picking is always the first step in making wine, as you need to have gathered the materials for your wine before you can begin making it. A combination of science and old-fashioned tasting go into the harvesting process, and harvesting can either be done mechanically or hand, whichever you prefer.

You might want a citrus wine favor. If so, you can use oranges, apples, grapefruit or gooseberry. If you want something a little less citrus flavored, you might try bananas, cherry, pear, peach, strawberry or grapes. There are people who use dandelions and rhubarb as well as watermelon and ginger root to make wine.

The next step in the wine making process involves fermentation. This is really where the magic is in the process and if left to its own devices, the must or juice will begin to ferment naturally within about eight hours, with the aid of wild yeasts in the air.  In clean wineries and vineyards however the fermentation process is quite different. Once fermentation begins, regardless of the chosen path, it will normally continue on until all of the sugar has been converted to alcohol and a dry wine is produced.

Once this fermentation process is completed the clarification process begins. Filtering and fining are also usually done at this stage, filtering which can be done with everything from a course filter that catches only large solids to a sterile filter pad that wipes wine of all life. Fining on the other hand, occurs when substances are added to a wine to clarify them. Finally in the wine making process is the stage of aging and bottling. You can either bottle the wine immediately, or further aging can be done in bottle, stainless steel or ceramic tanks.

You can really personalize this process and make it your own as long as you include the basics, and you will have a lot of fun and produce some fantastic wine that you can share with your family and friends. Wine making is a time honored tradition, one that has become incredibly popular in the world of today. If you have not tried making your own wine before then it is definitely something that you should try out sometime in the near future.

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Learning About the Wine Making Process

Once you have all the equipment and a recipe book, you can begin your venture to making the ultimate fruit wine you have ever tasted. Home wine making allows you to try different flavor juices or fruits. You will find there are many different types of wines that you can make with a home wine making venture.

You might want a citrus wine favor. If so, you can use oranges, apples, grapefruit or gooseberry. If you want something a little less citrus flavored, you might try bananas, cherry, pear, peach, strawberry or grapes. There are people who use dandelions and rhubarb as well as watermelon and ginger root to make wine.

So for a basic idea, you should prepare your wine with 22 pounds of pears, 16 pounds of strawberries, 14 pounds of pineapples, 15 pounds of peaches, 18 pounds of watermelon or 15 pounds of blackberries.  These are measures for yielding five gallons of wine. However, these are the simple instructions for wine making; in fact, there is no single accurate measure for the quantity of the fruit to be used in wine making process.

Once this fermentation process is completed the clarification process begins. Filtering and fining are also usually done at this stage, filtering which can be done with everything from a course filter that catches only large solids to a sterile filter pad that wipes wine of all life. Fining on the other hand, occurs when substances are added to a wine to clarify them. Finally in the wine making process is the stage of aging and bottling. You can either bottle the wine immediately, or further aging can be done in bottle, stainless steel or ceramic tanks.

You can really personalize this process and make it your own as long as you include the basics, and you will have a lot of fun and produce some fantastic wine that you can share with your family and friends. Wine making is a time honored tradition, one that has become incredibly popular in the world of today. If you have not tried making your own wine before then it is definitely something that you should try out sometime in the near future.

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Instructions for Wine Making With Fruit

1. The White Wines:  Most commonly served as the first course, these wines do not have a really strong flavor, therefore leaving the taste buds relatively unaffected for the next course.  Do not be afraid to ask the wine salesman for his advice.  They will know exactly what year and which grape is best at this time.

A sparkling white wine such as the Rolls Royce of wines the champagne are reserved for those very special occasions such as a wedding, anniversary or engagement party.  Again, you may want to ask the local wine connoiseuer what would be just perfect for the event.

2. Red Wines: A good red wine such as merlot wine is great anytime, but when considering which wine to serve with a particular meal, a red is normal chosen for the heartier meals of beef, pork or lamb.  A good Merlot, Burgundy, or Cabernet would all be perfect choices.

The Pinot Noir, while not as commonly served as a Merlot or Cabernet, is a unique blend of plum, vanilla and blackberry. Oregon produces Pinot Noir where the blackberries grow wild and are sweet and juicy. This wine will certainly be a hit.

The peppery flavor of the Shiraz would be a great accompaniment to spicy Mexican or Italian meal.  This is another wine that would also go well with a meal of beef or pork.

Italian food with its hearty and robust tomato sauces requires a Chianti. A Chianti can range in price and quality. You may be able to find one that is rather inexpensive but the quality is perfect for you.

A robust Burgundy would be the red to choose for a fine standing rib roast or delicate filet mignon.

As you can see from the suggestions above you may wish to have both a white wine and a red wine on hand when hosting a dinner. Some guests will most likely pick the wine they prefer and stay with that choice for the entire evening. Another may choose a white for the start of the evening and finish with a red. So always be prepared.

If wine is your hobby you may want to consider producing your own wine at home.  There are several fruit wine recipes that are not complicated turn out a great wined to serve with desserts or chilled on a hot summer afternoon.  Look for some recipes at a it wine making site online.

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Selecting The Right Wine