Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Blackberry Wine

Blackberry wine is a delicious wine that you can make at home. Your own vintage will be a unique way to celebrate your blackberry harvest. You will be able to enjoy drinking the wine with friends and neighbors long after the summer has ended.


History


During the pioneer days and before, wine making was simply another role that women filled. Almost every household made its own wine and other fermented beverages rather than purchasing them outside the home. This plethora of homemade drinks led to some interesting recipes as people brewed and fermented whatever they had on hand that seemed like it might taste good. Blackberry wine was and still is popular because of its sweet and fruity taste.


Significance


Blackberry wine is an easy wine to start with if you are interested in brewing your own alcholic beverages. It takes a relatively short time to age and is sweeter than many wines, which makes it easier to "season to taste." This wine is traditionally made and served in the home rather than purchased.


Types


Blackberry wine can be made in several different flavors. You can make it sweeter simply by adding sugar, and can also alter the taste by using ripe, overripe, or unripe fruit. Many people like to add plums, blueberries, or grapes to this fermentation for different effects on body and dryness as well as flavor.


Time Frame


Making blackberry wine can take as little as six weeks or up to one year. Most home brewers do not age their blackberry wines past 12 months. The actual process of fermentation can take up to two months of daily attention, but after you have bottled the wine then you can just let it sit in a cool, dark place until it is done aging.


Misconceptions


Anyone who watched or read about Anne of Green Gables accidentally getting her friend Diana drunk on "blackberry cordial" knows that blackberry wines are just as alcoholic as any other beverage. In fact, home brewers often do not have as light a touch as professionals and you may end up with some very strong stuff. Do not let the fact that you have made this wine from blackberries alter your perception of the drink, as it is an adult drink and not for children or to be imbibed in excess.


Warning


If you are making your own wine, you need to be aware of the potential health and safety hazards intrinsic to the process. Part of the process can be quite volatile, and you should not make wine without proper training and equipment. Also, if your wine goes bad, you can actually make yourself sick by imbibing it, so be aware of how the wine should taste compared to the actual results.







Tags: Blackberry wine, Blackberry wine, blackberry wines, home brewers, rather than, your wine