Last year, beginner brewers we made 6 one gallon batches of various pear wines with apple (the best) and honey (we are bee keepers). All batches were uninspiring. Bland. This year, weve got 1 gallon batches of strawberry, blackberries and aronia going.
Due to a freezer malfunction, we find ourselves with 2x5 gallon buckets of Bartlett pears to use in wine making. I have wine tannin and acid blend and lots of honey and sugar. On hand, we also have ale yeast, premier Cuvee and some Lavin 1116. I've got acess to a few more aronia berries, blueberries and dehydrated rhubarb and pears. I'm not against buying herbs or spices.
What additives might this group suggest for more interesting wine? Thanks!
Pears when juiced are by nature pretty bland / neutral. The wine tannin and acid will certainly help. Ale yeast will add some flavor as well but depending on the yeast can give you a little ale like flavor. Premier Cuvee if fermented slowly at the very low end of the temp tolerance would be OK. 1118 may strip any flavor as is is a very aggressive and high ABV tolerant yeast. I would suggest your berry ideas added in secondary may be your best bet then add the tannin and acid to taste. I would definitely not use sugar. I have tried some in ciders and really didn't like the results. Honey would work well as an addition.
Here is my recommendation for fruit additions. (Works for me = Others will have differing opinions)
All of these Fruit additions would take place in Secondary (After freezing the fruit to break the cell walls down.)
- I use a wide mouth fermenter and place the fruit in a sanitized mesh bag (Paint strainer bags from your local big box store work great) Makes for easy clean up and racking.
All are the amounts I use for 5 gallon batches but can be can be adjusted for your volume.
10 – 15 Days (Most fruit pretty much give up all their flavor in 2 weeks)
Blueberries, Cherries (Sweet)
Mild Fruit Character – 5 to 7 lbs
Medium Fruit Character – 8 - 10 lbs
Strong Fruit Character – 11 lbs or more
Citrus Fruits
Mild Fruit Character – 5 lbs
Medium Fruit Character – 6 to 8 lbs
Strong Fruit Character – 9 lbs or more
Pears, Apples
Mild Fruit Character – 5 lbs to 7 lbs
Medium Fruit Character – 8 to 10 lbs
Strong Fruit Character – 11 lbs or more
Plums (use skins as well)
Mild Fruit Character – 4 lbs to 6 lbs
Medium Fruit Character – 7 to 9 lbs
Strong Fruit Character – 10 lbs or more
Raspberries – Blackberries - Cranberries
Mild Fruit Character – 3 lbs to 5 lbs
Medium Fruit Character – 6 to 8 lbs
Strong Fruit Character – 9 lbs or more
Strawberries
Mild Fruit Character – 5 to 7 lbs
Medium Fruit Character – 8 to 10 lbs
Strong Fruit Character – 11 to 13 lbs
Good luck - Let us know how it goes.
Post time 2022-12-7 17:33:57