Nice large stash there! ...hopefully you'll still have some left for (this) Christmas.
Have often liked to get into something like this. Suppose it helps having all the crop/fruits growing in your own garden / vineyard, a dependant supply.
Any tips on how to start out with something like this?
Well I was going to say, start off small but foc that. Last year me and my brother walked into a home brew shop in Faversham and my brother said..."My brother wants to start making some wine"
The bloke picks up a demijon and says "Well, you're going to want one of these"
How much does that hold I said....One gallon he said.
Me and my brother looked at each other realising that we had just picked a 60litre barrel of plums and I said "Have you got anything bigger?"
He said "I wouldn't go any bigger if it's your first time" giving me that look
"Nah" I said, "I don't think you understand mate, we've already picked the fruit, we need enough equipment for around 25 gallons"
He just thought we were a pair of cunts I think but was happy enough to go on to sell us near on a couple of hundred pounds worth of equipment and ingredients.
We had a good old laugh about this as we left the shop and still do now. The quote "Nah mate, I don't think you understand" gets used all the time now.
Get a recipe up on line but remember, there is no real right or wrong way to do it just use it as a guideline like following a cooking recipe.
The most important thing to remember is to sterilise everything you use including cutting boards and knives and worktops etc to prevent spoiling the wine.
During the fermentation process, you're basically providing the ideal environment for bacteria to thrive so cleanliness is vital. Unless you like vinegar
Keep the temperature up while this process is going on and experiment.
It's pretty satisfying opening a bottle of quality wine you've made yourself over a nice meal or something and believe me, if you get it right, you'll struggle to find a country wine that can match it strength and flavour.
Good luck.
A couple of bottles of last years plum wine 17.2%