New to Wine Making - Apfelwein Attempt

[calmingapple]

Hi there guys!

I am brand new to the forum and brand new to homemade wine making but have been researching things for some time.

I have been reading The Joy of Home Wine Making by Terry A. Garey and want to deviate away from the first beginner experiment and instead try my hand at making apfelwein directly

I was hoping I could ask you guys for some expert advice as I am stumped on a few things...

I picked up two packages of yeast: Cotes des Blanc & Champagne Yeast (both red Star) - I bought this a few weeks back and was not thinking of anything in specific when I grabbed them. Which one so you guys recommend for Apfelwein? The homebrew guy said he recommended Cotes de Blanc. I've heard people say the Champagne yeast might be a bit "hectic" for my first try.

I have 2 one gallon glass jugs to get started with. But I am a little unsure what to do first thing... do I wash the gallon carboys by hand with mild soap and water, THEN use the campden tablets to sterilize? Or should I run it through the dishwasher first, then use the tabs?

I picked up a bunch of other goodies so that I can try my hand at a 5 or 6 gallon version afterwards, such as pectic enzyme, yeast nutrient, they even gave me "superfood".

Lastly, the yeast packets have been sitting at room temperature (which seems to fluctuate between 70 to 80 degrees F (22-27 Celsius). Is that okay? Or should they be in the fridge right now?

Thanks for the help!

 

[WVMJ]

Do orchards make fresh cider where you live? That would be much better than using store bough apple juice. Buy some oxyclean to clean your jugs, then rinse with KM, your brew supply store should also have more wine specific cleaners, dish washing soap not good, it leaves a film, you need something that washes away clean and doesnt have any fragrance. You can also so the primary in a bucket bigger than the volume of your cider so it can bubble away all it wants without making a mess or loosing juice. Champagne is a good one to use for beginners, its very tough. You should have been storing it in the fridge, they last longer like that. Good luck. WVMJ

 

[calmingapple]

Hi WVMJ,

I don't have access to an orchard (sadly). I'm hoping I can make apfelwein with what I've got, at least for the few first tries. I was thinking of visiting an orchard at some point. I'm at the point where I've convinced the boyfriend to let me bring in a bunch of items. So I think I reached my limit (at least for the time being) for bringing in new stuff to try lol.

I'm going to be the pain in the butt now and ask what KM is. I did a quick google on it but was stumped. Oxyclean, will get that, thank you! Better than bleach I am sure.

I do like anything Champagne or sparkling - so I'd love to try that but I just have regular old wine bottles - I am not sure if they will hold up to the pressure?

thanks for the advice!

Do orchards make fresh cider where you live? That would be much better than using store bough apple juice. Buy some oxyclean to clean your jugs, then rinse with KM, your brew supply store should also have more wine specific cleaners, dish washing soap not good, it leaves a film, you need something that washes away clean and doesnt have any fragrance. You can also so the primary in a bucket bigger than the volume of your cider so it can bubble away all it wants without making a mess or loosing juice. Champagne is a good one to use for beginners, its very tough. You should have been storing it in the fridge, they last longer like that. Good luck. WVMJ

 

[WVMJ]

Make sure to make something the boyfriend really likes and then you can bring in more stuff, I make my wifes favorite every year, first on the list, my house is full and thinking of an addition, she said ok when I told her I was going to make more of her favorite. KM Potassium metabisulfite. Are you to far north for apple trees, there are some other Canadians making cider? WVMJ

 

[bor]

Champagne yeast is named such for the region from where it comes, not specifically for making champagne..

 

[calmingapple]

There are one or two a few hours drive away. Only one problem: I don't drive (hides from embarrassment). But I do take vacations with the parents across the border to Blaine, Washington from time to time. I will have to do some research and see if there are any local orchards there that I can check out next time.

I hear you in saying that fresh is best... but I also love the simplicity of Ed Wort's apfelwein recipe that seems to work fine off store bought juice (Tree Top from what I read).

Honestly, so far my biggest stumbling block is locating corn sugar! A friend of mine in the wine making business said I should use white sugar but Ed's recipe specifically uses corn sugar. So I want to do it by the book this first try then deviate a bit

Thanks for the comments guys!

 

[sixt3]

You can get dextrose, which I believe is corn sugar, at Save-On Foods
It is in the aisle with the home brew/wine supplies.

 

[calmingapple]

Thanks for the reply!

I guess this was the one store I overlooked myself.

*doh* I shall check it out this week!

Many many thanks!

You can get dextrose, which I believe is corn sugar, at Save-On Foods
It is in the aisle with the home brew/wine supplies.

 

[calmingapple]

Actually would any of you mind if I quickly post my "action plan" as it were? And ask you guys to spot any errors I may be making?

I have almost all of my ingredients lined up but I'm more than a little confused about one or two steps and would really appreciate the guidance.

No worries if not. I must have 3 of the top recommended home wine making books suggested thus far!

 

[WVMJ]

Why do you think we are here for? Go ahead. WVMJ

Actually would any of you mind if I quickly post my "action plan" as it were? And ask you guys to spot any errors I may be making?

I have almost all of my ingredients lined up but I'm more than a little confused about one or two steps and would really appreciate the guidance.

No worries if not. I must have 3 of the top recommended home wine making books suggested thus far!

 

[calmingapple]

Awesome, thanks for the help :-D