Rhone Style – Dry Red Wine

NB: If you are new to winemaking, it is worth checking out our guide to success.

Ingredients

• 1kg Elderberries
• 500g Blackberries
• 500g Pears
• 110g Blackcurrants
• 200ml Red Grape Concentrate
• 900g Granulated Sugar
• 15g Oak Granules
• Sufficient Pectolytic Enzyme
• Gervin No. 2 Yeast
• 2g / ½ Teaspoon Yeast Nutrient
• Water to 4.5 Litres

Method

The intention with this recipe is to produce a wine with a substantial amount of body with an alcohol level of 13%.  Accordingly a fair amount of fruit is incorporated.  The Gervin No. 2 is a true Rhone yeast.  This is clearly a wine that will benefit for storage in a bottle for two years or more and even longer if you have the patience.  My approach is to make a 5 gallon batch, bottle the lot and open a bottle at yearly intervals to see how the wine is progressing.