How to make wine - Day 1 - Starting Brew - Homemade Malbec

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: corn syrup

Honey provides sweetness with additional flavors.

yeast

🥗Healthier: wild yeast

💰Cheaper: dry yeast

Wild yeast can enhance complexity but may be unpredictable.

sulfites

Sulfites help preserve wine but can be avoided for natural wines.

pectic enzyme

Pectic enzyme aids in juice extraction but is optional.

Mix 8 cups of hot water with bentonite in the bottom of the fermentation vessel.

Stir in the bentonite until well combined, noting that some clumps may remain.

Slowly add malbec grape juice to the mixture, being careful to avoid splattering.

Rinse the container with water to get all the grape juice possible into the mixture.

Top up the mixture with room temperature water, noting that going slightly over is acceptable.

Add oak chips to the mixture and stir them in well to ensure they are wet.

Sprinkle dry yeast over the top of the mixture, allowing it to sit on top without stirring, as per the kit instructions.

Seal the fermentation vessel with a lid that has a rubber seal and an airlock filled with sanitized water.

Store the fermentation vessel in a cool, dark place for two weeks.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: