So This Is Christmas

Merry Christmas is such an infectious feeling I like to feel that way all year around.

So if you are visiting just before Christmas, just after Christmas or even here on Christmas day I am sure you will find something of interest for you and in the spirit of Christmas.

It may be said that Christmas is no longer a celebration but this must be spoken by people that have never had trouble closing their eyes on Christmas Eve in an expectation of what maybe left for them on the carpet under the tree.

I continue to look forward to the surprise on my Grandchild's faces to this day at Christmas events.

Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

How to Make Wine and Avoid Common Problems

By Lucille Green


By far the most popular issue in most wine making failures can be attributed to equipment that isn't up for the task. A lot of people make the mistake of using common household items for making wine because they seem to be familiar to the carboys, spoons and airlocks that are important for this process. You should take note however, that specific wine making equipment is made from special materials so including products made from different materials can effect on the finished product.

In general, it is a mistake to attempt to recycle containers that have been home to other products especially foods. It would be better to go ahead and invest the money necessary to purchase proper wine making equipment so you can be positive your wine makeing will be a success.

Another mistake is not following directions and because of that, there's an urge to make the process easier which is generally a mistake. If you are an experienced cook, then you probably know the importance to follow the directions of a recipe and not following this usually results in disaster, and that doesn't change in wine making.

The quality of your water can also impact the quality of your wine because hard water or water that has a high mineral content will create wine that has flavors that are somewhat off or even have somewhat of a haze. You should also know that water from a salt-exchange water softener should never be used in wine making. To be sure of the quality it would be best to only use bottled water and by doing so, you'll notice a huge difference.

Handling the yeast properly, is also important it needs to be moistened at the proper temperature to activate it. In conditions that are too cold the yeast will fail to activate and if it is too hot, it will kill the yeast. For the most part, you need to keep a the temperature somewhere between sixty-five and seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure the temperature is constant because if the temperature in your fermentation area is too cool, the formation process will take too long, which can result in more fizz than you want.

Another popular mistake is removing the sulfite in the wine which is usually the result of allergies to sulfite. Though it is quite accurate that some people are allergic to sulfites, it needs to be pointed out that even if you take the sulfite from the wine the wine won't actually be sulfite free due to the fact that the yeast always creates additional sulfites anyway. The reason for the sulfites is to prevent spoiling and oxidation. In under a month the wine will not taste right and in less than ninety days it will be undrinkable.

Lastly, be certain that you give your wine the proper amount of patience and time that it requires because successful wine making, is art. In order to appreciate the results of your labor you need to wait as long as it takes for the wine to finish before you attempt to drink it.




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