How to clean fresh grapes

[snowman]

Hi all,

Planning on adding fresh grapes to a WineExpert Riesling kit. I've used that kit many times adding cranberry puree and also blackberry and has always come out good. Thought I'd use my own three vine grape harvest added this time to give it different caracter. One Caan and two Riesling vines. Finally have something to harvest and ahead of the birds this year.

I have about 2/3 of a five gallon bucket after de-stemming by hand. How do I sterilize this mix I'm about to put together?

 

[Runningwolf]

No one cleans grapes before pressing. If you going to hold off on fermentation you could add a tad bit of meta but if you add too much you'll stall your fermentation.

 

[snowman]

Thanks Dan......... I plan on pressing by hand tonight or tomorrow and starting this batch tomorrow as soon as I'm sure what to do. Should I only use the juice or leave the skins and seeds during fermentation? This is a Riesling but don't mind some color if that's all the extra solids will do.

 

[Brew and Wine Supply]

when pressing by hand, get some surgical gloves and wear them. when done, just peal off the gloves and toss them.

 

[Runningwolf]

I would do juice only. I press by hand every day testing grapes from the vineyard. I press them in one gallon freezer bags (stronger) and then drain the juice out one corner of the top of the bag.

 

[Runningwolf]

Doug, that's another great way.

 

[winemaker_3352]

I would only use the juice and the gloves are a good idea.