Can You Make Home Brew Wine Using Concentrate?

Irsquo;m assuming by the term “home brew” you mean wine and not beer. Irsquo;m not a beer maker.

Indeed, many home wine makers start with simple concentrate and kits. The term “concentrate” is rather outdated in the wine making community. Today, the term used is “wine making kits,” which come with everything you need to make a batch of wine, except for the necessary equipment. These kits generally produce a very good and drinkable wine.

Understanding Wine Making Concentrate

Not all concentrates are suitable for home brewing. If the concentrate contains preservatives, they may inhibit the yeast, which is crucial for fermentation. Without yeast, the process is halted and your wine wonrsquo;t develop properly. However, as long as there are no preservatives, you can certainly use concentrate for wine making.

Starting the Wine Making Process

Getting started with a batch of wine from concentrate is remarkably quick and easy. The process involves pouring the wine concentrate into your fermentation vessel, adding water, and then adding wine yeast and any other home wine making ingredients as specified in the accompanying directions.

Using Grape Must or Juice Concentrate

I have made wine using both grape must (the crushed grape juice before pressing) and juice concentrate. Without the yeast, simply using plain sugar water will work, but the result is not very flavorful. If you want a wine that is rich in flavor, using very flavorful grapes is ideal. This will ensure that your wine is concentrated in terms of flavor, viscosity, and color.

Wine Making Kits and Equipment

If you choose to start with a wine making kit, ensure that you have all the necessary equipment before you begin, such as a fermentation vessel, a fermentation lock, a hydrometer for measuring specific gravity, and appropriate storage containers for aging the wine.

Using Store-Bought Grape Juice

If you decide to use store-bought grape juice, itrsquo;s crucial not to use grape juice that contains preservatives. These preservatives can prevent the yeast from taking hold, resulting in a poor-quality, possibly foul-smelling batch of wine. Instead, opt for fresh or organic grape juice without preservatives. This will ensure the best possible outcome for your home brew.

Conclusion

Home brewing wine using concentrate is a straightforward process, but it requires attention to detail. By using high-quality ingredients and following carefully prepared instructions, you can create delicious and flavorful home-made wines.