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 Class: Week 1 – Wine Kits, Hydrometer, & Acid Titration Test

My local brewing & wine supply store (DeFalco’s) has a wine making class once a year in the spring, so I decided to take the class and perfect my craft!

We meet every Tuesday from 7-9:30pm for 6 weeks and the class was only $79 (includes material).

Week 1

After introductions, our instructor (DeFalco’s Owner, Scott Birdwell) gave us a high-level overview of what we would be doing and learning in the classes

For our first class, we made a Red & White wine kit from Winexpert. This was new for me, since I’ve never made a wine kit before and really wanted to know what came in it and the value of the kits before I spent money.

Wine Kits

The red wine was a Chilean Malbec Shirez, which came with:

• Concentrated Grape Juice
• Grape Skins
• Yeast
• Bentonite
• Metabisulphite
• Sorbate
• Fining Agent
• Mesh Straining Bag
• Oak Powder
• Oak Cubes

The white wine was a Washington Riesling, which came with everything listed above except grape skins. This kit had a F-pack (Sweetening Juice) instead.

The Winexpert has a variety of kit types and grape varietal ranging from $60-$245. Each kit makes approximately 30 bottles of wine, which averages out to about $5 per bottle of wine.

Hydrometer & Acid Titration Test

In the week 1 class we also learned the proper methods of using a hydrometer, conducting an acid titration test.

The Hydrometer is used to check the Specific Gravity (SG) in you ingredients before, during and at the end of fermentation in order to calculate the wines alcohol content.

The Acid Tritration Test is used to check the acid levels in your ingredients. This would allow for you to add more acid to avoid a flat wine or to reduce the acid and avoid a really tart/sour wine.

Week 1 Closing

All in all Week 1 was great! I learned a lot, met some really awesome people, and sampled a lot of wine. I’m really looking forward to Week 2 and sharing my experience with you all…until next time!

Link to Week 2

Wine Review: Water 2 Wine (Ice Wine)

Thanks to my husband, I had an amazing wine class and tasting experience at Water 2 Wine for Valentine’s Day. They make a long list of wines in house from grape varietals around the world. Additionally, they allow individuals to create custom batches of wine. Price range from $14.95 to $25.95 per bottle and $365 and up for a batch of wine (aprox. 28 bottles).

The class consisted of a tour of the facility, wine education, food pairing and wine tasting… lots and lots of it. I tasted a total of 17 wines. My favorite being the ice wine

Water 2 Wine Ice Wine Review:

Appearance – A slightly golden rose hue

Aroma – fresh and fruity

Taste – Sweet, crisp, fruity with hints of berries, leaves a outstanding grape aftertaste which lingers

Pairing – This is a dessert wine, pair it with chocolates or if you like contrast, try it with a smoked gouda

Price – $25.95 per bottle

Also, the Peach Apricot Chardonnay & Cranberry Chianti were pretty good too!

Since Water 2 Wine wines are fairly young, they use a magnet aging method that adds 6 months of aging for ever 30 minutes a bottle is on the magnet.

I had never heard of this method before, so it was very interesting. I may try it on some of my homemade wines

All in all the experience was great, so if you’re ever in Houston, TX check them out (www.water2wine.com)!

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….!!!!