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We going to try and make some wine, and a friend has got a big box of grapes from their own vine which we're going to pick up tomorrow. The problem is that we not going to be able to get all the equipment (demijohns etc) until the weekend.
Question: what is the best way to keep the grapes until we ready? can you freeze them without ruining the flavour? any other tips on wine making in general?
hell yeah, frozen grapes are so nice like tiny fruit lollies 
can't help on the wine front I'm afraid.
i would imagine when you thaw them, the cells will be punctured by the ice crystals, like happens with strawberries, but thats a good thing for wine isnt it?
i hear its a good way to make soup too :s (freeze and thaw the veg a few times)
just freeze them and defrost when you have the equipment, freezing won't damage the sugars, and will do some of the work of squashing the grapes. may need to keep some in the fridge to keep the natural yeasts on the surface in good condition
As Tails said they are georgeous to eat or use as ice cubes for a fruity drink!
If they are wet and stored they can go moldy quite quick.
Just finished my last batch today, before the frost and birds finish them off.
Got 20 gallons on the go this year, plus 15 gallons of cider!
Got 20 gallons on the go this year, plus 15 gallons of cider!
Wow. How many grapes (weight) needed to make 20 gallons of wine? Is that all from your own grapes? Puts my 2lts of sloe gin to shame.
I froze a banana once, it was one of the funniest things i ever saw. 😆
I froze a banana once, it was one of the funniest things i ever saw.
I now have an overwhelming desire to freeze a banana.
Wow. How many grapes (weight) needed to make 20 gallons of wine? Is that all from your own grapes? Puts my 2lts of sloe gin to shame.
Jon, I use those horrid blue Ikea bags to pick with, mostly because they are easy to carry and clean. One bag full makes 2 gallons.
Not sure on the exact weight - sorry, my brewing is not an exact science 😉
Get my grapes from my allotment, plus a network of gardens that owners let me take grapes, in exchange for managing their vine.
[If anyone in the Midlands knows of any Blakeney Red or for that matter any Perry Pears going free in a reasonable quantity, quite happy to share the Perry crop. Lost an old tree this year and the Mrs loves the stuff]
😉