Why You Should Make Wine At Home
Why You Should Make Wine At Home
Making wine at home will save you money, and you can produce really good wines with an equipment investment of as little as $200.
Equipment Investment for Home Wine Making
What equipment do I need for wine making? The bulk of home wine-making equipment can be purchased for around $150 in a starter wine-making equipment kit that fits in a compact, lightweight box that is easy to use, store, and move. A good kit should include a primary fermenting container, airlock, racking tubes or siphon kit, hydrometer, mixing tools, and bottling tools, as well as a cleaner and sanitizer. You will also need a secondary fermenter with a stopper, plus bottles and corks. Secondary fermenters, also called carboys, are available in glass and food-grade plastic. A new 6-gallon glass carboy will cost $75 plus shipping, while a plastic carboy will run approximately $50 with shipping. Used glass carboys can be found on marketplaces, and new winemakers should pick them up. Avoid used plastic; although they're a money saver when new and the light weight is a big pro, they require more care (including using a special brush to prevent scratches), and when buying used, it's difficult to know if attention to detail was used during cleaning. There are also large pieces of equipment that are nice to have and can be added as wine makers save money from making over buying wine – a floor corker ($90), bottle rinser ($20), and bottle tree ($30) are typically the first upgraded equipment additions to a home winemaker's setup. Large pieces of equipment like a press or de-stemmer are only needed if you intend to use fresh fruits. The majority of home winemakers use juices and wine kits to make exceptional wines.
The Cost Analysis of Making a Wine Kit
Not only are they a time saver, wine kits are an excellent way to start your wine-making adventure if you've never made wine before. Wine Ingredient Kits produce phenomenal wines, while teaching a beginner winemaker about the winemaking steps and familiarizing them with wine-making equipment and wine ingredients in a fun and non-intimidating way.
How many bottles of wine does a wine kit make? A good wine kit will include all the ingredients for making 28-30 bottles of wine and will cost between $85-$185, with the latter capable of producing wines in the quality level of a $50 bottle at a store.
Is it cheap to make your own wine? At that quality level, it's pretty simple math that a new wine maker will make the initial investment back on the first batch.
How much does it cost to make your own bottle of wine? Not including equipment, the cost to make a homemade bottle of wine will range from $6-$10 per bottle. Re-using bottles will save wine makers at least $1.50 per bottle, which is common practice among home wine makers.
Time Investment in Wine Making
How long does it take to make a wine kit? Time is valuable too! Beginner winemakers will benefit greatly from making their first batch of wine with a wine ingredient kit. Making wine from a kit will require 2 hours of time on 4-5 separate days over the span of 2 months. Depending on the wine kit, it could be ready to drink on bottling day; however, most kits will benefit from aging in the bottle for a few months.
Waiting before Drinking Homemade Wines
Can you drink wine right after fermentation? Depending on the wine kit it could be ready to drink on bottling day. Typically though the wine's flavor usually improves with age, so it's advised to wait.
Does homemade wine taste better with age? Most homemade wines do taste better with age, as they develop more complex flavors.
How long after bottling wine can I drink it? Most wines will benefit from aging in the bottle for a few months to year, depending on the type of wine.
Wine Making is More Fun with Friends!
Wine making is best when done with people. It's helpful and more fun to have a friend or family member assist. Not only is it more enjoyable, but the batches from a wine kit can be shared if 30 bottles seem like too much wine to drink. Lifting the fermentation pails and carboys from floor to counter is required a couple of times, and when full, it weighs approximately 45-50 pounds. Bottling is also easier with a buddy.
What are you waiting for?
Making wine at home is not just about saving money or producing quality wine; it's an enjoyable process that allows you to learn, share, and refine your craft! With the right equipment and a bit of patience, you can enjoy your own unique wine, enhance your social gatherings, and even impress your friends with bottles of wine that you've crafted yourself. Whether you're looking to save money, enjoy a new hobby, or explore the art of winemaking, starting at home with a wine kit is a rewarding journey.
