Recent content by Newbie Mel

Here’s something interesting, to me. The second batch got darker in secondary, now looks close to first batch in color. Still clearing and haven’t tasted tested, maybe coming up soon.

There are still a lot around here, but experiencing same cold snap. I can’t get over how many trees I see around here now, just not on my property. Kroger had some for $25 so I got three to plant, hoping they will multiply. Don’t know how many years before they bloom. Found one in corner of...

Update on my experiment using both early buds vs full blossoms. First, disclaimers. I don’t make near as much wine as others on this site and I will forever be a beginner. No conclusions here, just observations. These were started a week apart. The darker one is the buds, starting to open up...

I don’t have forsythia in my yard, that I have I have found, yet. See it in many places around. Hope you find a good one 😊. Spring is just beginning, many more opportunities ahead.

I am experimenting, collected these today, mostly still in bud. Next week will collect more when open.

I have been waiting a year to try this after seeing @BigDaveK original post. I first noticed the red buds about a week ago and I’m hoping I don’t miss the optimal harvest time. Going out to hiking trails today to check out. Just a couple trees in my property and they are out of my reach. I did...

I bottled some blackberry wine a little over a month ago. I back sweetened after adding sorbate and immediately bottled. It had bulk aged for 4 months. I did not degass. Last night out of curiosity I opened one of my beer bottles of the extra to take a taste. It has a fizz to it, but I liked it...

I can’t wait to try this next year!

LOL, I thought I was the only one wanting to knock on @BigDaveK door. I think he needs to host a tasting party 😂

I am getting ready to start my Maypop wine. I suspect it will have no color. The red cabbage trick sounds great. I don’t have any on hand so will have to make trip into town. My initial thought was to use an organic hybiscus tea bag just long enough to get some color. Is that a bad idea?

If you backseeten and add sorbate can you bottle immediately or do you have to wait to make sure the sorbate has done its job and there is no renewed fermentation?

That looks so yummy!! Good thing I don’t live close to you because I’d be knocking at your door every night to have a taste of your creations.

When I was young I wouldn’t even try guacamole because of how it looked. Now it is one of my favorite foods. Someday I will appreciate gross lees 😉