Yeast

Posted on by Jackie

Fermentation does occur naturally. But natural yeasts cause unreliable and unsteady fermentation that is disturbed by any and all changes in temperature. Once these yeasts have died, acetic bacteria invades and turns the wine into vinegar.
Cultivated yeasts are used because they will tolerate higher alcohol levels and continue to work. Although the final character of the wine is affected by the fruit or other flavorings added at the beginning, there is no wine without the yeast.

Yeast can be very fickle, and the preparation of the starter mix is important in getting off to a good start with the brew. Before adding yeast to the must, it is best to get the fermentation going and the yeast active. Adding a small amount of sugar and a warm fluid will do this.

  • Baker’s yeast, such as you find in cubes or sachets in the supermarket, takes 10 to 20 minutes to be activated. A small, narrow-necked bottle is best to use. Add the yeast, 2 tablespoons of white sugar and enough warm water to fill the bottle half full. Shake the mixture well and use a cotton wool ball to lightly plug the neck. Stand the yeast starter on a surface that can be readily cleaned. Within about 10 minutes, a froth will form.

Use this starter as soon as possible; it will climb out of the bottle if you don’t!

  • Brewer’s yeasts and wine yeasts come in sachets or inactive mixes. Follow the instructions on the label or prepare as for the Baker’s yeast, but leave 2 to 3 days to activate. Plug the bottle neck loosely with a wad of cotton wool to stop the mix from becoming contaminated while it works.
see also Environmental Yeasts question ~ Aug 2009

Corks

Posted on by Jackie

Corks are made from the bark of the cork oak tree, Quercus Suber.  They are harvested commercially for the most part in regions surrounding the Mediterranean, most notably in Portugal.

Agglomerated corks are made from cork pieces glued together. Inexpensive and easy to handle, these are suitable for wines that will be held for six months to a year.  These are the cheapest corks, and because they tend to be less dense, are the easiest to insert after soaking.
Synthetic corks are made from resins. They are difficult to insert, won’t soften when they are soaked and are difficult to get out without breaking. They are not really suitable for the home winemaker.
Natural corks are punched out directly from the bark in one piece. They are the best quality and will usually be more expensive than the other categories of cork. Better quality cork will allow you to store and age your wine. The cheapest cork will do if you are not thinking of long storage. But, you get what you pay for and a good cork will protect your wine much longer.

If you are intending to age your wine –  You should leave your wine bottles standing upright after corking to allow the compressed air above the wine to dissipate.  After two or three days, put the bottles on their side for storing. The wine against the cork will keep it moist, keeping the cork plump and so stop leaks. Wipe off the corks as you lay them down to remove any wine that may have been left when you put the corks in.

For more on wine cork production see the Cork Quality Council website

Bottles

Posted on by Jackie
  • If your wine is stored in a dark area it doesn’t matter, but if there is light about, choose or save tinted or coloured bottles for storage. This will protect the nice colour of your wine from fading.
  • If you have a lot of different wines, it might be wise to store all one type in bottles of the same colour. If the labels fall off you won’t be guessing.
  • When saving bottles, look for bottles that have a “dimple” in the bottom. This is where any remaining sediment will settle and is less likely to be disturbed when you pour the wine.
  • Contaminated bottles are a huge cause of spoiled homemade wine. You can’t be too careful about getting them clean. Keep them submersed in clean water until the moment you are ready to bottle.

Recording your brewing(s)

Posted on by Jackie

Keep a record of all the ingredients in every recipe you use. It will be important for making adjustments to the recipe or if you want to reproduce good ones in the future. This also helps with avoiding the recipes you don’t ever want to use again.

Record the times of starting, length of fermenting and storage, and how you liked or disliked the resulting wine.
Note the recipe you used and the date when you bottle your wine. Attach some kind of label to each bottle.