Potassium Or Sodium Metabisulfite? Which Should the Home Winemaker Use?

admin | October 31, 2009

New home winemakers often get confused between potassium metabisulfite and sodium metabisulfite. Some winemaking guides only refer to sulfite and it’s up to the reader to try to understand which form of sulfite the author was referring to. What’s the difference? And does it really matter? Both potassium and sodium metabisulfite are used as sanitizing [...]

Are the “Red Wine Headaches” Preventing You From Enjoying Red Wine? Try This!

admin | October 31, 2009

Are you one of the many people who enjoy drinking red wine but find that you get headaches after drinking it? You don’t get them after drinking white wine but those reds really seem to bring the ache on. Have you like others blamed it on sulfite? If you have, consider that the majority of [...]

What Are Campden Tablets?

admin | October 31, 2009

Home winemakers will often come across an ingredient or additive called “Campden Tablets.” What are they exactly, and when should you use them? Originally developed in Campden, England at a laboratory that does food safety research, Campden Tablets are used for precise measurement of the preservative sodium metabisulfite. They have been used for decades in [...]

Three Common Mistakes Made by Home Winemakers

admin | October 31, 2009

Have you been disappointed with the way your homemade wine has turned out? I know quite a number of people who have not been pleased with their results. Sometimes it’s off flavors. Or worst of all, wine turning into vinegar. Here are some common mistakes that home winemakers often commit which could result in something [...]

3 Tips For Sanitization in Home Winemaking

admin | October 31, 2009

Experienced winemakers stress the importance of sanitizing equipment and work areas. Perhaps so much that new winemakers might get a little nervous about whether they’ve done a good enough job before starting their winemaking activities. Keep in mind that we’re not looking for sterilization – where every micro-organism is killed and nothing can live on [...]

Home Winemaking – Airlocks – Don’t Keep Them Full!

admin | October 31, 2009

Airlocks are a vital part of the home winemaker’s equipment. Fitting into a bung or rubber stopper that is used as a closure for the carboy (secondary fermenter), an airlock should allow carbon dioxide gas to escape while keeping air out. Many new winemakers don’t seem to know exactly what do with an airlock. I’ve [...]

Potassium Sorbate – Do You Need to Add it to Your Homemade Wine?

admin | October 31, 2009

Every single wine kit that I’ve ever purchased comes with a package of potassium sorbate. The instructions that come with the wine kits tell us to add sorbate at the same time that we are to add potassium metabisulfite. However, many winemakers balk at adding sorbate to their wine and don’t always follow instructions. Why [...]

What Do Winemakers Use in Their Airlocks?

admin | October 31, 2009

Anyone who has made wine for a while knows the correct level of liquid in the airlock is vital to assuring good wine. But questions come up about what exactly one should put in the airlock to protect the wine from air and other contaminants. Some suggest just plain water, others say a sanitizing solution [...]

Already Make Wine? Why Not Try Meads Too

admin | October 31, 2009

In some folklore, it is said that when a couple were married, they were sent away together for a month along with copious amounts of mead – a fermented beverage made with honey. From that, we have the word “honeymoon” today. Although honeymoons are very popular with newlyweds, today mead is not drunk as often [...]

What is a Metheglin?

admin | October 31, 2009

When doing research one home winemaking, some may come across websites, books and articles where the making of meads is also discussed. Although there is some debate about whether a mead is technically a wine, it is made with the same process – that of using yeast to ferment honey and water mixed together. Some [...]

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