Raisin question

[harmony24]

How much raisins would you put in a 6 gallon batch of wine? I would like to add to my cab Sauvignon, Malbec and Zinfendel.

 

[ShawnDTurner]

No more than a pound.

 

[Pumpkinman]

Why not add grape skins, or grape skin packs, they are the correct varietal, they are not oxidated and will not impart as raisin taste to your wine.

 

[harmony24]

Should I be able to order these online or get them from a local wine store?

 

[Pumpkinman]

you can get them online from M&M wine grape co. www.juicegrape.com, call and ask for them, or you can buy a lug of grapes and make enough for 4 or more batches.

 

[harmony24]

Thanks a lot pumpkin man. I was looking at lugs of grapes in Pittsburgh. They were about $48 for #36.why are lugs of grapes more expensive than the juice when you don't have to do any of the work with the buckets?

 

[Pumpkinman]

Look at it this way, for $48.00 you can make 4 real nice grape skin packs, I destem and crush the grapes, then I put them in the large muslin bags used for making beer, once it is tied off, I place one in my juice bucket and start fermenting normally.
There is nothing quite like using the fresh grapes, plus, it is much more cost effective than buying a few grape skin packs.
On a side note, the "AllGrape" packs that M&M carries are just under 9 lbs of crushed grapes and juice.