Homemade Grape Juice & Wine

Until this year, I've never tasted a fresh, vine-ripe Concord grape.  I'm glad that changed.  Delicious! 

A friend of my mother-in-law's invited us to pick a few grapes.  I decided to make juice.

After reading the Ball Blue Book canning directions, I thought the authors must be insane.  That much work?!?

So... knowing there had to be an easier way, I turned to my faithful friend for advice.  She grows grapes, makes juice as well as wine, and if there is a shortcut to be had she will know it.

Sure enough, she had some great shortcuts (just toss 'em all in a stockpot with a bit of water, cook, run through a colander and then sugar to taste!).  Before long, the house smelled like a ripe vineyard.  The smell made our mouths water and our cheeks pucker.

I canned some jars of juice and made popsicles for the boys.  Delish.

A couple of weeks later, I received a call that there were more grapes (as well as pears) available at a nearby farm.  Free for the picking. 

I picked a binful.  Now, I mentioned earlier that my friend makes her own wine.  It's really delicious.  As my husband and I have recently decided to attempt brewing our own beer, I thought we should attempt some wine as well.  Why not?!?

So... we bought the wine kit and ingredients, washed & stemmed the grapes, and put it all into the primary fermenter.  We'll need to add the yeast and then monitor it through the winter, sieving it when necessary. With a bit of luck, we'll have some great wine next spring!

Here is my friend's blog showing her wine-making instructions.  Part 1 and Part 2.  Why not try some yourself?  You can make wine from so many things (including dandelions!).  I'm shivering with excitement here!  It's the little things, I tell ya...