Bottle Your Own Wine
February 29, 2008
Wine Virgin, I want to know how you bottle your own wine but I don’t know where or how to start. What’s your advice and can you help me? - Holly in Myrtle Beach, SC
Of course I can Holly. You will need a few bottle supplies but just follow the steps listed below to bottle your own wine and you can put a few away for that special occasion like breakfast, lunch… or dinner even.
First off, you will need bottles, corks and a corker. You can find all these online without much trouble and after you have acquired everything you need, here is what you do.
Step 1:
If the bottles are new and unused, rinse them with hot water and dry them. But if you are using recycled bottles, soak them in a cleaning solution recommended by a wine-making supply shop. Then rinse them with water and dry them but make positive the bottles are completely dry.
Step 2:
Prepare new corks by soaking them in water for 1 to 2 hours, then rinsing them several times with warm water. But again, if you have used corks prepare them by soaking, bring them to a quick boil and then rinse the corks with hot water. After that, finish with a cold-water rinse.
Step 3:
Now after you have prepared the bottles, place one below the wine container.
Step 4:
If you are going to bottle your own wine at a local winery then there will be a siphon that will allow you to pour the wine into the bottle. Holly this is the fun part, suck on the other end of the tube until the wine begins to flow. Then insert the notched end of the siphon tube into your bottle but make sure the tube isn’t touching the very bottom. When you’re bottling your own wine, fill up the bottles to 3/4 inch below the bottom of the cork and after that use your corker to insert the corks into the bottles.
See, all you needed were a few bottle supplies and the skills you already possessed to get the wine inside your chosen container. How cool is that? And there you go; you’re now officially a wino!!
The Wine Bottle Punt
February 28, 2008
What is the purpose of a wine bottle punt? - Adrian in Rochester, NY
Adrian, you must have been pretty sober to notice that, not to mention retain that question long enough to ask. You deserve a glass to balance out your heightened state of awareness and enjoy another for me too ok? The wine bottle punt is the concave bottom on wine bottles. The earliest origins of the punt are unknown but there is much curiosity that surrounds it’s purpose.
Wine bottle punts provided a stable platform that would not rock back and forth and this handy feature kept you from spilling the precious contents inside. Today a punt is not needed and exists only because a lot of people equate a wine bottle punt with the measure of quality. Nowadays wine bottles can be made that do not require a punt for strength or as a platform of stability.
Here’s an interesting task for an empty bottle. After you and a known wine virgin have finished it off, turn it on its side and spin it. You might get lucky. Cheers!!
Are Sulfites in Wine Dangerous?
February 28, 2008
I’ve heard that sulfites in wine can be potentially dangerous, why would I want to continue drinking wine if this chemical is purposely added in? Anna - Kansas City, KS
Come on, that really can’t be your reason for not tipping back a glass, is it? What is there to do in Kansas City besides drink? I promise that you will not turn into a lush if you have a glass every now and again. So don’t be paranoid, here are the facts on sulfites in wine. Believe it or not all wines contain at least some small amount of sulfites and among other things; they are found on grapes, onions, garlic, and many other common plants and vegetables that make up our diet. No wine can ever be sulfite free, even if they have not been added during the wine fermentation process.
However, wine sulfites are a problem for some drinkers and can lead to serious headaches for those who do have sensitivity to it. For people who do have an allergy, the average level of sulfites in wine can cause heartburns or other side effects. Unpleasant reactions include burning sensations, hives, cramps, and flushing of the skin. For these people, organic wines are an especially good choice since they contain minimal amounts that will in most cases lie below their threshold level.
Makers of wine have been putting additional sulfites in wine for ages. This is because sulfur dioxide (SO2) is used to keep freshly pressed juice from spoiling. The good thing is that modern technology has allowed for the reduction in the amount of sulfur than what was used in the past but some is absolutely necessary to make a stable wine. If you didn’t add sulfites, the wine would turn into vinegar in a matter of months. Not only does sulfur dioxide prevent the growth of bacteria, but it also stops oxidation and helps to preserves the wine’s natural flavor.
Regulations in the United States require that domestic and imported wines carry warning labels if they have sulfites in wine in excess of 10 parts per million. Wines that have less than 10 parts per million are not required to carry the “Contains Sulfites” label but they still contain sulfites in some level.
Truly, sulfites in wine are going to be there regardless, but if you’ve never had an allergic reaction like the ones stated above then you really have nothing to worry about. There are a ton of misconceptions out there about this much slandered drink and this is why I am passionate about delivering the facts to wine virgins so you know exactly what you are pouring down your throat. Now get out to the bar or go pick up a bottle and drink to your health Anna. Cheers!!
What is a Wino?
February 27, 2008
Hi Wine Virgin, how are you? What is a wino? I’ve always heard this term before but I never really knew why people said it or what it meant. - Susan in San Luis Obispo, CA
Ahh my favorite, yes this describes me well. Ever since I had my first glass, I new I would never stop but only turn into more and more of one with each and every passing day… I’ll be a wino forever. But I have to wonder. I mean it’s really not that difficult to figure out from the context of a sentence what a person means by a certain word is it?
Here’s an example. Suppose you’re sitting down at a bar with one of your friends and she leans over to you and whispers “Oh that so and so is such a _____!!” Now, consider for a moment that even though you may not be too familiar with the adjective in which she used to describe this person. You can tell by the tone in her voice and the expression on her face whether what she said was good or bad, right?
Ok, good, so imagine that we are out together and I lean over to you and basically say the same above statement, with the same mysterious adjective… but I have a frowning, disapproving look on my face with an accusatory tone in my voice. On top of that, the term I use is closely related to the general nature of what is being discussed about how this person is acting. So to make it bright and clear, I say, “You know what?” “That so and so is such a wino!!”.
This is said as the person in question stumbles around completely hammered, drooling and mumbling to anyone that is within shouting distance about how much they want to bring about world peace and save god’s children. Make sense? Now pick up a glass and join the wino club!!
Your Recipe for Homemade Wine
February 26, 2008
Hello Wine Virgin, last week I over heard a conversation my co-workers were having about a quick and easy recipe for homemade wine. I was wondering if you had a good answer? - Danielle in Fargo, ND
Isn’t that an interesting question? So basically you were spying on your co-workers and over heard them talking about a subject that brought out the natural lush in you and now you want to know an easy recipe for homemade wine so you can one-up them ehh?
Ok, sure why not? Hey that’s a great quality to have, staying on top of office gossip like that while making sure that you’re always in the know regardless of what you have to do get there.
Now this recipe is really, really simple. Below is everything that you will need to create wine and the exact step by step process to follow.
1.) A gallon of grape juice, red or white grapes are fine.
2.) 1 gallon of water
3.) 3-1/2 Lbs. of cane sugar
4.) 1 packet of wine yeast
5.) A 2.5 gallon food grade plastic bucket
Hey, keep in mind that even bakers yeast will work if you just can’t stand another day without having something unique fermenting in your closet. I would mention that you need to be as careful as you can with making sure that everything you use is sanitized properly… but then again, you did ask about a quick and easy recipe for homemade wine.
Mix the cane sugar with the water and bring it to a boil. Now after the sugar water has cooled down, mix it together with the juice and yeast in a food grade plastic bucket. Cover it with a trash bag, yes dear… a trash bag and make sure that it’s secured with a rubber band. Now, give it a day or two for the wine fermentation process to begin and you will soon notice that the trash bag has become filled with gas.
From here, you will need to siphon, or gently pour your wine mix into another bucket and leave anything that has settled down to the bottom of the bucket behind. Cover the bucket again with a new trash bag and continue siphoning or pouring your wine off into a “clean” bucket every two weeks for a six week wine fermantion process total. By then, most of the solids will have settled and your wine can be bottled. If you can steal a moment from the crazy pace of your Fargo office you will have a chance to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Remember, this recipe to make your wine will produce about 10 bottles, plenty enough to hand them out to your “friends” at work for their enjoyment, or envy… with more than enough left over to satisfy your cravings for an quick pick-me-up throughout the day. Enjoy!!
Cheese for Wine that Will not Make You Gag
February 26, 2008
I’m having a dinner party later this week and I have some wine questions about what would be the best cheese for wine. I’ll be serving Merlot, thanks your help!! - Jackie in Raleigh, NC
So you want something that’s not going to leave a bad taste in your guest’s mouth huh? You know, being the Wine Virgin I understand the dilemma that you’re in. I used to hate it when I would try something new and it wouldn’t go well with the taste that was already in my mouth. This would usually make me gag.
So I know you want to do all which is in your power to make sure that everything that touches the palate of your guest’s mouth sends nothing but pure excitement trickling down their throats, leaving them in wanton anticipation of what will happen next. As well you should, because I heard recently that a highly acclaimed Democrat was actually leaving the party due to the fact that the leader at the time had left a bad taste in her mouth.
Anyway you try to shoot it, if the flavors aren’t compatible you are going to find yourself with that weird feeling of “Oh no, what have I done?” as you look around and see the uncomfortable expressions on everyone’s face.
So here are the best Merlot cheese choices. Try Merlot with younger wash rind cow’s milk cheeses and many of the Alpine-style cow’s milk cheeses. As well as with sheep’s milk cheese. But remember, the full flavor of Merlot grapes does not pair well with goat’s milk cheeses. If you like to take risks in the mouths of others then try Merlot wine with blue cheese… at your own peril of course.
What is Port Wine?
February 21, 2008
Wine Virgin I was wondering if you could tell me what is port wine? Is it all wine from Portugal that is what one of my friends says but when I had some port recently it sure seemed to have a bit of a kick. - Matt in Florida
Well Matt your friend’s claim is somewhat grounded in fact but also way off at the same time and that extra kick you mention is something that can get a wine virgin or anyone for that matter into trouble if they are not careful.
You see port is a sweet Portuguese, fortified wine from the Douro Valley in the northern provinces of Portugal. Port is often served as a dessert wine. Wines in the style of the Portuguese product called port are also produced around the world in several countries-most notably Australia, South Africa, India, Canada and the United States.
Port is produced from grapes like all wines at least initially. The wine is then fortified with much higher alcohol product made from distilled wine (quite often cognac). The goal of this and the effect is to boost the alcohol content. Port wine is stored and aged, often in barrels and stored for quite a long time before being bottled.
I dearly love a good port but you had better not make the virgin mistake of treating port like chardonnay or you just might wake up regretting the night before in more ways then one. Try a small glass of Port after a big meal in place of desert some time especially after a nice steak or chops.
Why Choose White Wine vs Red Wine
February 21, 2008
Ok our first question has come in from our new friend Tom in Arizona he writes - “Hey Wine Virgin, cool site! I was just wondering why people always say order white wine with chicken and fish or say red wine with beef or lamb. I really don’t care much for red wines myself but I do like a good steak. Am I missing out by drinking chardonnay with a T-Bone”.
Great first question Tom because I know many people wonder the same thing. The first answer to this question is simply hell no it doesn’t matter, drink what you like, eat what you like and have fun doing it.
Now the other side of it. There is a reason that people suggest things like white wine with light pasta or fish and say a nice Cabernet Saviougon with that big beefy T-bone of yours. It is really all about having flavors that can compliment and stand up to each other. Many wine drinkers simply feel that a light white wine is kind of buried by a steak or say a big bold red just over powers a wimpy little chicken breast.
There is some truth to this and many folks like you good sir that “don’t like red wines” will find that they do if they pair it with a steak or lamb, etc. The key is often to eat a bit of your steak first, there are tannins in red wine and they are broken down by the fat in beef and lamb and softened. Give it a try sometime you just might have yet another wonderful first time experience.