ladywotlunches Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 HiHave just moved to a new house with a large vine in the back garden, that currently has tons of grapes on it turning a very nice red colour. They are definitely wine grapes as opposed to eating ones (shame) and I don't want to see them go to waste, but having done a search on the web for instructions it seems that to make wine from grapes is a very equipment heavy process.As I don't know how good the grapes will be (and everyone is telling me that with this miserable summer they will be really sour) I don't want to invest in all the kit to have it festering in the cellar for years to come. A SW London friend came round at the weekend and said that near them there is a garden centre that organises a winemaking cooperative- you go in with your grapes, then come out a few weeks later with some lovely wine!Anyone know of a similar project in our neck of the woods? Or can anyone offer advice for a rookie vintner? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassius Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 I can't offer any help but would like to wish you luck - please let us (or at least me by PM) how it goes - it would be something of a dream of mine to make wine............. I'll even come and help you pick them if you contact me!! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-130424 Share on other sites More sharing options...
yourmomma Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 I would try asking here http://www.brew-it-yourself.co.uk/forum/phpBB2/index.php?sid=d7b2c2e54a25c13a0afe9d5f04591b67 Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-130542 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peckhamgatecrasher Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 LWL - did you have any success finding a co-op? I seem to have a good crop this year but don't know what to do with them. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-242308 Share on other sites More sharing options...
???? Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 homemade wine's up there with homemade haircuts Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-242326 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peckhamgatecrasher Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 I have a pudding basin waiting for you. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-242329 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loz Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 Wine making, in theory, isn't difficult - crush grapes, add yeast, ferment, age, bottle, drink. You shouldn't really need too much kit. As a good indicator, the pros get a bottle of wine for every kilo of grapes. YMMV, but if you're only expecting a crop of a few kilos the effort may be more 'of interest' than productive.London is really too far north for reds. Whites may be possible. England tends to produce wines made of varieties that aren't your usual suspects - a nice glass of M?ller-Th?rgau anyone?Anyway, you might want to talk to this bloke Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-242347 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peckhamgatecrasher Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 Thanks. It is a red grape: Tafeltraube blau - Regent 4 years' old.It was brought back from Germany as a thank you for helping with a friend's wedding. Alas, the grape has outlasted the marriage! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-242349 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladywotlunches Posted August 29, 2009 Author Share Posted August 29, 2009 PeckhamgatecrasherI never did find a co-op, but I ploughed ahead anyway and got 40-odd bottles of red (well, light red/dark rose) wine, aging in my cellar.The last tasting (back in June) showed that the wine still needs some maturing (OK, so its home brew, but also if you ever look at the commercial reds, they are mainly 2+ years old). I wonder whether last year I picked them too soon. Like you, my grapes this year are looking a nice colour already - but most info I've read says harvesting takes place late October/November. Could be "climate change" meaning they are ripening early, but to get the most sugar, I'm going to leave them as long as I can before the pigeons eat the lot!This might help. A very basic, chuck it all in and see recipe for generic 'wine':TAKE 2 GALLON BUCKET FILL WITH GRAPES TO THE TOP, WASH WITH WATER (COLD).ADD BOILING WATER TO FILL WITHIN 3? OF THE TOP. ALLOW TO COOL.CRUSH GRAPES AND STALKS ETC. WITH HANDS (CLEAN)ADD 1 CAMPDEN TABLET (CRUSHED) AND JUICE OF 2 LEMONS AND 1 TEASPOON OFPECTIN.ALLOW TO STAND FOR 2 WEEKS ? COVERED.RECRUSH GRAPES IN JUICE ? ALLOW TO STAND 1 WEEK.DRAIN OFF JUICE INTO DEMIJOHNS, ADD YEAST AND 2LBS. SUGAR PER GALLON.FERMENT UNTIL CLEAR.KEEP AS LONG AS YOU CAN AND THEN DRINK !!Best place I found for the equipment at a good price was searching online (but remember to buy all at once as they charge delivery whether its a spoon or demijohn). Or if you have a Wilkinsons handy - they do the lot there too.Good luck, and Cheers!LWL Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-242385 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peckhamgatecrasher Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 Thank you. I'm not sure I'm brave enough - I reckon I've about another two weeks to go before I need to make my mind up.Cheers indeed. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-242388 Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy-bees Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 I am attempting to make a cider press as we have so many apples we don't know what to do with themI would be very interested to hear from anyone who is in a similar situation with their apples / anyone who's successfully brewed cider Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-242610 Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodie Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Also have a red vine. dunno if they are great grapes for wine but anyone is making wine and wants some more grapes we'll have quite a few. Usually the kids wash feet, squash them and we have gorgeous juice to drink. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-242614 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Applespider Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 I saw a report earlier this month on Chateau Tooting ::oThey're a co-operative which collect grapes from members and help turn it into wine. Might be worth looking into if you have vines... Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-242652 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peckhamgatecrasher Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Brilliant - I shall see if I can join. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-242661 Share on other sites More sharing options...
man_or_mouse Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 poppy-bees Wrote:-------------------------------------------------------> I am attempting to make a cider press as we have> so many apples we don't know what to do with them> > I would be very interested to hear from anyone who> is in a similar situation with their apples /> anyone who's successfully brewed ciderI want to have a go at cider too - it seems really easy to do. From what I have found out though you need to use some acidic apples in the mix - eating apples alone won't do. :)-D Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-242683 Share on other sites More sharing options...
womanofdulwich Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 How was eveyoens wine? did any one join the Tooting coop? or started an East Dulwich one? I dont want to create something undrinkable. Thanks Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-473626 Share on other sites More sharing options...
notapoppet Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 Grape Jelly 1!!! My husbands specialty.Like Jam but not.....added to gravy it is just fabulous....or another of his "interesting" inventions was a kind of "set" grape jelly sweet, not my favorite, but interesting. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-474617 Share on other sites More sharing options...
womanofdulwich Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 mmmmy friend gave me a jar of grape jelly for my birthday- not as impressed as I would be with wine!! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-474632 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gruit1 Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 We have used the urban wine company ( chateau Tooting) for last 2 years. We have had in return 10 bottles of wine each year. Approx 2kg of grapes equals 1 bottle of wine. We also choose our name and label on our bottles. Our vintage is 'East Dulwich 1820' which is labelled on our bottles as we share our vine with next door neighbour and our door number is 18. The wine is drinkable a bit like a dry german wine and is blush in colour. It does cost to use them for bottling/ labels/ organisation. This years grapes we have to take to Merton on Saturday 1st October.They also organise a wine tasting evening for the un-bottling of the wine in March. I would recommend them as we have had great fun with serving guests/ friends with our wine from the back of our garden.Hope this helps. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-475033 Share on other sites More sharing options...
womanofdulwich Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 thats good to know -they have not replied to the email I sent or the phone message I left ( from the web site) can you let me know how to contact them?thanks Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-475046 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gruit1 Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 have pm'ed you Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-475069 Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterstorm1985 Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Chateau Tooting sure ain't cheap. ?110 to join the harvest each year and they only promise 6 bottles back for that. I did try and find out what the 'discounted price' was for any more but I think they realised I couldn't afford it so didn't let me know in their email response. You can buy a lot of equipment to make your own at home for that price.If you do try and get in contact with them, I think they're quite small so you need to give them time to respond. I got an answer in about a week. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-475087 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyDeliah Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 I just made a load of grape juice. I'd love to know how to make wine as I've got loads of grapes left on the vines. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-475455 Share on other sites More sharing options...
womanofdulwich Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 how to you keep grape juice? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-475466 Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterstorm1985 Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 Freeze it Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/4099-wine-making-co-op-in-se-london/#findComment-475481 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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