peripatetic
Well-Known Member
Hey all,
I realize that the only reason this forum exists is that people make wine at home, and they are happy about how it turns out. My question is -- how does it turn out? I'm not skeptical as much as curious. I know how awesome homebrew beer can turn out, but i just don't have any experience with homebrew wine except for a couple neighbors who made sickly-sweet fruit wine that I could barely drink.
I'll be more specific. I love big-bodied Cali reds (Cab Sauv., meritage-syle). I really like high-end Shiraz ($20-25+ or typically it is too sharp for me). I've had some great temperanillos and Montepulcianos recently. A spanish wine called Clio (from Jumilla) is probably the best wine I've ever had. How close to those various styles am I going to be able to get at home, without having to buy a vineyard? (I'm looking for a cost/benefit analysis -- how good is a $90 kit that I see at my LHBS vs. a custom recipe where the component ingredients cost more (or much more)?)
Sorry for the complete newbie question -- I probably have all or most of the required equipment, and I want some encouragement from y'all so that I can give it a shot with confidence.
I realize that the only reason this forum exists is that people make wine at home, and they are happy about how it turns out. My question is -- how does it turn out? I'm not skeptical as much as curious. I know how awesome homebrew beer can turn out, but i just don't have any experience with homebrew wine except for a couple neighbors who made sickly-sweet fruit wine that I could barely drink.
I'll be more specific. I love big-bodied Cali reds (Cab Sauv., meritage-syle). I really like high-end Shiraz ($20-25+ or typically it is too sharp for me). I've had some great temperanillos and Montepulcianos recently. A spanish wine called Clio (from Jumilla) is probably the best wine I've ever had. How close to those various styles am I going to be able to get at home, without having to buy a vineyard? (I'm looking for a cost/benefit analysis -- how good is a $90 kit that I see at my LHBS vs. a custom recipe where the component ingredients cost more (or much more)?)
Sorry for the complete newbie question -- I probably have all or most of the required equipment, and I want some encouragement from y'all so that I can give it a shot with confidence.