Adding vodka

[jdmyers]

I know its all about taste but i was wondering can anybody give me a reference starting point as to how much cherry vodka to add to 4 gallons of cherry wine to bump the alc up its currently in the secondary sp 1.02
So its not quite done with ferm yet made it out of 100
Natural black cherry juice

 

[jswordy]

Not a fan of fortifying wines, but...

What is your ABV now? What starting SG did you have?

 

[jdmyers]

My start sg was 1.08
I have never added vodka before just want to try it i like trying new things it makes it more fun some times its great sometimes not so

 

[cpfan]

My start sg was 1.08
I have never added vodka before just want to try it i like trying new things it makes it more fun some times its great sometimes not so

Your wine should finish at 10.5 to 11 percent.

How high do you want it to become? And you shouldn't fortify till the fermentation is complete.

Steve

 

[jswordy]

They say in the thread below that 9.4 ounces of Everclear raises 12% up to 13% in a 6-gallon batch.

http://www.winemakingtalk.com/forum/f6/how-much-everclear-raise-abv-38725/

 

[jdmyers]

figured on pushing alc as far as I could while still keeping a good sweet cherry taste which is why I choose cherry flavored vodka

 

[cpfan]

They say in the thread below that 9.4 ounces of Everclear raises 12% up to 13% in a 6-gallon batch.

http://www.winemakingtalk.com/forum/f6/how-much-everclear-raise-abv-38725/

There are two Everclears with different alcohol levels (151 and 190 proof). I believe availability differs by location. So it would be important to know which one was being referenced.

Steve

 

[jdmyers]

one problem is I live in pa. and everclear is not sold here any more ever since some moron student at cmu died of alcohol poisoning trying to plege a frat. so Im using 80proof cherry vodka

 

[dessertmaker]

80proof? Surely you can find something stronger than 80 proof. Forget the cherry crap. You can soak some cherries in vodka yourself and get the same thing.

 

[vacuumpumpman]

80proof? Surely you can find something stronger than 80 proof. Forget the cherry crap. You can soak some cherries in vodka yourself and get the same thing.

Or how's this - use the lower ever clear and add cherry juice to it ?? Just an idea ??

 

[jswordy]

Or how's this? Screw the Everclear and vodka. Add more sugar (and even cherry juice) to your unstabilized wine and drive that bad boy up to 17-18 percent using the yeast in it.

You get up in the 18% plus category, you are looking at 20 proof.

 

[dessertmaker]

Or how's this? Screw the Everclear and vodka. Add more sugar (and even cherry juice) to your unstabilized wine and drive that bad boy up to 17-18 percent using the yeast in it.

You get up in the 18% plus category, you are looking at 20 proof.

Hellz yeah. Maybe spike it with some champagne yeast or premier couvee if it won't keep going

 

[Eriewineguy]

I am in pa also and they do sell ever clear, although it is the 151 version, not the 190. Still strong at 151 . Soak some cherries in fr a few days.

 

[saramc]

Handy calculator for fortification here, instant Pearson's Square.... http://www.winebusiness.com/tools/?go=winemaking.calc&sid=7

If you are going to soak cherries in liquor, consider using dried cherries. The cherry-ness is usually much more intense. And save the cherries, awesome ice cream topping, etc.