Strawberry wine question

[RobertChartier]

I am planning both a strawberry and a blueberry wine in the near future.

I am estimating 30 Lbs of strawberries for a 5 gallon batch, with another 6 Lbs for an F-pac

As for blueberry, I wad thinking 25 Lbs initially, with another 5 for the F-pac.

Do the quantities sound about right?




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[RegionRat]

IMHO that is not nearly enough strawberries for 5 gal batch. Your strawberry wine will end up light on taste and color if you add water. I would suggest 8 to 10# of fruit per gallon. Use as little water as you can. My fist batch of strawberry I didnt use enough fruit and the wine turned out lite in color and taste. Maybe the f-pac will help. I have no experience in using f-pack on strawberry. I am sure someone on here will know more then me on the subject

As for the blueberry, I have only made one batch and it is still aging. It was an all fruit and I used 45# of berries and ended up with 6 1/2 gal of wine. The only water I used was to melt the sugar I used.

With berry wines I have found more fruit the better.

RR

 

[dralarms]

I would go 50 lbs of strawberry. Adjust your acid and most likely forget the f pac.

 

[jensmith]

Never did a strawberry. They make me swell and itch.....

I have done several blueberry. 16# per five galleon works great. With 10# suger. 14% abv. It is plenty flavorfull. Not a light wine. If you like light wines try 10# per five galleon batch. Personaly I like my fruit wines with 3-4# of fruit per galleon. I have not tried a 100% fruit yet..... ( except apple) I really don't want to try more then five pounds fruit per gal, I may like it!!! That and the bucket needed is now a trash can for the same amount of end products. Fresh fruit is bulky
Whatever amount you use, there will be lots of sludge. Use them to make a seconds wine. Great for top up. Pretty good just for plain drinking too


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[dralarms]

Jen

You really can't compare blueberries to strawberries. Strawberries are a much lighter fruit in flavor. So it actually takes more per gallon to get something that taste like you would want.

 

[jensmith]

I was commenting on the blueberry wine question. No advise given for strawberry. Sorry if you read it that way.


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[dralarms]

Sorry, misunderstood.

 

[jensmith]

Thats allright. I've had a grumpy day myself...


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[dralarms]

I'm not grumpy, he's my brother. Lol


Seriously, I just wanted to make sure that you knew there is a different amount of fruit required for different fruits.

 

[sour_grapes]

"Do you wake up grumpy in the morning, or do you let her sleep?"

(Not directed at anyone, just made me think of it!)

 

[dralarms]

No, she wakes me up. Lol

 

[Duster]

I agree tat a straight strawberry wine will need about 10+ pounds per gallon however 30 lbs will work for 5 gallons if you mix a can of alexander's wine concentrate to it. I suggest Zinfandel


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[RobertChartier]

Just as general information, when choosing the amounts of fruit, I based my guesstimates off of articles found on the winemakermag website, under the following links. You will note, my guesstimates on fruit were higher than those listed.

http://winemakermag.com/2-10-can-t-miss-country-wine-recipes
http://winemakermag.com/461-making-blueberry-wine-tips-from-the-pros
http://winemakermag.com/690-three-cheers-for-the-red-white-and-blueberry

these articles suggest anywhere from 2.5 to 4 pounds of blueberries per gallon (12.5 to 20 pounds for a 5 gallon batch)

And for strawberries, http://winemakermag.com/652-take-a-sip-of-strawberries

which suggests 2.5 to 5 pounds of strawberries per gallon depending on style (12.5 to 25 pounds per 5 gallon batch)

Guess there are a lot of variables and personal taste takes the front seat.

 

[dralarms]

So true Robert.

I like a lot of flavor so I always use more than those sites.

 

[mfick]

Anyone ever use any juices or preserves for a strawberry fpac (outside of using just strawberries)?