Home Made Wine, or "How I Became a Winemaker"!

​By keepwinesimple.com
 
Perhaps you have caught the winemaking bug and would like to try making homemade wine. You are not alone. Homemade wine is a growing hobby that could lead to a new vocation. Many professional winemakers started out this way.
Why do we find making wine so romantic? I think that the main reason is that being a winemaker feels close the being a magician. You start out with one nice object (grapes), and through your effort and knowledge you turn it into something wonderful. In any book, nice to wonderful equals magic!

​But Why Make Our Own Wine?
There are many reasons why we find making wine so attractive. Some of them are:
Tradition
Winemaking goes back to the dawn of civilization. Those who turn grape juice into wine are bearers of a body of knowledge that reaches back well into Antiquity. It is an exclusive club that goes back thousands of years.
Knowledge and Understanding
Once you participate in making homemade wine you acquire a knowledge and understanding of wine that can never be acquired in a book, or even in drinking many different types of wine. The insight gained is unique to any wine related experience. 
Camaraderie
Many hobbies are solitary, but wine making is not. There are many activities that cry out for a multitude of hands. I have a friend who started with homemade wine, though now he owns a commercial winery. At various steps in the winemaking process, he sends out a call to his friends and neighbors to help him out. And they all rush in. Perhaps it is the idea of participating in the magic making, or they just like their friend a lot, but he always has an eager group of volunteers.
Personal Satisfaction
Well, that is what hobbies are all about, personal satisfaction. In this case, there is the satisfaction of having produced a good wine, even if it is not the best that Bordeaux can offer. There is also the satisfaction of the enjoyment of the taste, as well as the delight of offering it to your friends and family when they visit.

Feeling Close to Nature
Even if you do not grow your own grapes, there is a natural cycle to producing wine. The wine making calendar is dictated by the harvest and the seasons of the year. Learn how to make homemade wine and you will learn a new skill and participate in an centuries-old activity that will delight your friends.
In addition, you will want to know about the necessary equipment and supplies. Take these lists to your local brew shop. You can also find what you need on the Internet.
Home Made Wine for the Sheer Joy of It!
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