I started making home made wine in January 2007 by using a one gallon glass jug and 2 cans of Welch's grape juice concentrate. It was a recipe that I found at Jack Keller's website. I really got into wine making because I was always interested in the science behind how yeast can convert sugars into alcohol. The wine I first made was very similar to Mad Dog or what they call "hillbilly wine"around here. It was not bad, but I knew that I wanted to start using kits to make something a little more to my tastes. My friends here in TN really like the sweet peach, raspberry and grape wines, but I am more of a dry wine drinker. My first kit was a Vintners Reserve Merlot Kit. I followed the simple instructions and much to my surprise, 6 weeks later I had a fairly good tasting Merlot on my hands. I thought "six gallons is a lot of wine" and wondered what I would do with all of it. I starting sharing it a couple of months later and I only had two bottles left for myself!. I started getting a reputation among my friends for making a very nice wine.

UPDATE: 2010

Well I have been making a bunch of wine this Winter and have 6 gallons of Muscato and Barolo from Italy coming along nicely. I also have a peach and cranberry wine going on at the same time. I am thinking of starting a Wine Making Class this year.

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