If you love the sweet, tangy taste of Concord grapes, why not turn them into your very own homemade wine? Making Concord grape wine is a rewarding and enjoyable process that anyone can try at home. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned winemaker, this guide will walk you through the steps to create a delicious, full-bodied wine from these classic American grapes.
What Makes Concord Grapes Special for Wine?
Concord grapes are native to North America and are known for their deep blue color and thick skins. Unlike typical table grapes, Concords have a unique “slip-skin” characteristic, meaning the skin easily separates from the pulp. They are naturally sweet but have less sugar than traditional wine grapes, with more pectin and acidity. This gives Concord wine its distinctive fruity and slightly tart flavor, often described as sweet and strawberry-like.
What You’ll Need: Ingredients and Equipment
Before you start, make sure you have everything ready. Cleanliness is key in winemaking, so sanitize all your equipment thoroughly.
Ingredients:
– 12 pounds of Concord grapes
– 4 cups of water
– 1½ cups white sugar
– 1 teaspoon pectic enzyme (helps break down fruit and clear the wine)
– 1 crushed Campden tablet (to kill wild yeast and bacteria)
– 1 teaspoon yeast nutrient (helps yeast thrive)
– Wine yeast (such as Red Star Premier Cuvee)
Equipment:
– Large primary fermentation container (food-grade bucket or fermenter)
– Mesh bags for grape pulp
– Press or strainer
– Glass carboy or secondary fermenter with airlock
– Hydrometer (optional, for measuring sugar levels)
– Siphon for racking
– Sterilized bottles for aging
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Concord Grape Wine
Step 1: Prepare the Grapes
Rinse your Concord grapes well and remove all stems. Divide the grapes into mesh bags. This makes it easier to crush and press them later without getting too much sediment in your wine.
Step 2: Create the Sugar Water Mixture
Dissolve the sugar, yeast nutrient, and crushed Campden tablet in 4 cups of water. This mixture will help control wild yeast and provide the right environment for fermentation.
Step 3: Start Primary Fermentation
Place the mesh bags filled with grape pulp into your primary fermenter. Pour the sugar water mixture over the bags. Cover the fermenter with a clean cloth and let it sit for 12 hours.
Step 4: Add Pectic Enzyme
After 12 hours, add the pectic enzyme to the fermenter and cover again. This helps break down the fruit and clarifies your wine.
Step 5: Check Specific Gravity and Add Yeast
Wait another 12 hours, then check the specific gravity (SG) with a hydrometer if you have one. If the SG is at least 1.095, add your wine yeast. If it’s lower, add more sugar until it reaches that level before adding yeast.
Step 6: Ferment and Stir
Stir the fermenter daily for about a week. Squeeze the mesh bags gently to extract as much juice as possible. Keep monitoring the specific gravity.
Step 7: Press and Rack the Wine
When the SG drops to about 1.030, press the juice from the grape bags. Transfer (rack) the wine into a sterilized glass secondary fermenter and attach an airlock to allow gases to escape while keeping air out.
Step 8: Secondary Fermentation and Aging
After 30 days, check the SG again. If it reads 1.000 or lower, rack the wine into a clean secondary fermenter and reattach the airlock. If not, wait another week and check again.
Repeat racking every two months to separate the wine from sediment. This helps keep the wine clear and improves flavor.
Step 9: Sweeten and Bottle
Once the wine is clear and stable, add sugar to sweeten it if desired (about 1¼ cups per gallon). Rack the wine one final time into sterilized bottles.
Step 10: Patience is Key
Concord grape wine benefits from aging. Let your bottled wine age for at least two years to develop rich, complex flavors.
Tips for Success
– Sanitize everything: Proper sanitation prevents spoilage and off-flavors.
– Control temperature: Keep fermentation between 70-75°F (21-24°C) for best yeast activity.
– Monitor sugar levels: Using a hydrometer helps ensure proper fermentation progress.
– Be patient: Good wine takes time to mature and improve.
Why Make Concord Grape Wine at Home?
Concord grape wine offers a unique taste experience that’s different from traditional European wines. It’s fruity, sweet, and perfect for those who enjoy a lighter, approachable wine. Plus, making it yourself means you control the process, the sweetness, and the quality. It’s a fun hobby that can turn your grape harvest into a delicious reward.
Enjoy the process, and soon you’ll be raising a glass of your own homemade Concord grape wine!
Making Concord grape wine is a delightful journey from fresh fruit to a flavorful bottle. With simple ingredients, some patience, and a bit of care, you can craft a wine that’s uniquely yours. Cheers to your winemaking adventure!