Wine Making: Loquat (Japanese Plum) Zinfandel Recipe

One of my favorite fruits to eat straight off the tree’s as a kid was Loquats (aka Japanese Plums). I used it as inspiration in this wine blend.

This wine has an amazingly fragrant aroma a beautiful color. It already taste sooo good, but needs a little more aging  because it’s really strong (16% Alc Vol).

Loquat Zinfandel Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4lbs Loquats (aka Japanese Plums)
• 1/2 Can (23 fl oz) Zinfandel Blush Concentrate
• 50 fl oz Apple Juice
• 54 fl oz Water
• 24 oz Sugar (3 cups)
• 1/2 Teaspoon Pectic Enzyme
• 1 Teaspoon Acid Blend
• 1/4 Teaspoon Grape Tannin
• 1/2 Teaspoon Super Nutrient
• 1 Camden Tablet
• 1 Packet of Yeast

Directions:

• Pit and Mash Loquats
• Create a Simple Syrup with the water and sugar
• Add all ingredients (except Yeast) to Primary Fermenter and cover
• Let sit for 24 hrs
• Sprinkle Yeast on Ingredients and cover
• Let sit for 7 days
• Transfer to Secondary Fermenter
• Rack as needed until clear
• Age at least 4 months
• Back sweeten as desired

Wine Making: Cranberry Pomegranate Zinfandel

Cranberry Pomegranate Zinfandel

Ingredients:

• Can (23 fl oz) – Alexander Zinfandel Blush Grape Concentrate
• 1 Bottle (60 fl oz) – Ocean Spray Cranberry Pomegranate 100% Juice
• 45 fl oz – Water
• 16 oz – Sugar
• 1/2 tsp – Super Ferment
• 1 tsp – Acid Blend
• 1/4 tsp Tannin
• 1 Campden Tablet (Crushed)
• 1/2 pkg – Yeast ( I used Red Star Pasteur Champagne)

Directions:

• Add the Zinfandel Blush Grape Concentrate to your primary fermentor and stir.
• Create a simple syrup mixture with the water and sugar (Heat the water on the stove and stir in sugar until completely dissolved). Set the simple syrup mixture aside for cooling until room temperature.
• Add all remaining ingredients except Yeast to the primary fermentor. Cover and let ingredients sit for 24hrs
• Sprinkle yeast and leave in primary fermentor for 3 to 5 days
• Transfer to secondary fermentor for the remaining fermenting and bulk aging
• Rack as needed (i.e., transfer wine off yeast and other sediment to another fermentor)

So, this is is a interesting combo for wine, however they both have great health benefits!

Below are a list of benefits:

I can’t wait for this one to be ready…I’m going to give it 2-3 months!

Wine Making: Bottling & Labeling

My first batch of wine was complete just in time for my mom’s 60th Birthday Bash!!!

After 2 months, my Country Wine was finally ready for bottling (Link to Recipe).

Pre-Bottling Prep & Sweetening:

• I added 1/2 tsp of stabilizer to ensure fermentation was complete 24 hrs before adding sugar. Otherwise, your wine could begin fermenting again.
• I then added 1 cup of sugar (simple syrup mixture for easy dissolving)

Bottling:

I cleaned and sanitized my bottles and cap corks with sodium metabisulfite before siphoning the wine.

After siphoning the wine into each bottle and adding the cap cork it was time to add the PVC shrink caps

I used the hair dryer method, which took forever….I will be using the boiling water method next time!

Labeling:

I really wanted to find a label that was water proof and reusable. After doing some research I found the Avery 22827 label, which met all my criteria. Plus the Avery website has a Design & Print Online tool, which I used to make my Mom’s 60th Birthday Bash labels.

As you can see in the initial pictures, the labels are submerged in ice and water and the labels are not smearing or coming off the bottles (This label is a Winner!!!).

Ultimately, the bottling & labeling went extremely well for this to be my first batch!

One of my next post will be a Wine Review on my own wine : )

Wine Review: Llano Estacado Blush

Since I’m new to Texas, I really wanted to taste some local wines. The Spec’s store near my house has a complete section dedicated to Texas wines, so I choose this beauty!

Llano Estacado Blush

Appearance – A vibrant & clear rose (Absolutely Beautiful!!!)

Aroma – Light, but fresh and fruity

Taste – Semi-sweet, smooth but crisp, fruity with hints of strawberry, and leaves a memorable aftertaste.

Pairing – I didn’t pair it up with anything, but the sign at the store recommend it with Barbecue

Price – Super Cheap…It was only $6

I will absolutely buy this wine again, and again, and again….!!!!