Enthusiasts of alcoholic beverages frequently create their own currant wine through a process of fermentation at home. This simple red currant wine recipe will help you master the technique of creating a delicious drink. Currant berries have a positive impact on one’s health and taste buds. They boost the immune system and enhance the functioning of the cardiovascular system. According to seasoned winemakers, currant wine possesses a subtle and refined flavor. Unlike other beverages made from berries, currant drinks lack a strong aroma. Fruit additives are often added to enhance the taste further.
For the Simple Red Currant Wine Recipe, You Need the Following Ingredients
- Berries. The optimal amount is 3 kg. Growing red currants yourself or buying them at the market is recommended.
- Water. Depending on the finished product’s desired strength, it is necessary to take from 3 to 6 liters of liquid.
- Sugar. For a wine of 12-18 vol., 3 kg of granulated sugar is needed.
Red Currant Wine Recipe Involves the Following Steps
- Preparing the berries involves crushing the currants using a wooden spoon and transferring them into a bottle. Once in the bottle, the juice will start to undergo fermentation.
- A pan is filled with water and sugar to make syrup, then placed on the fire. The mixture is boiled for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the sugar from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Once the syrup is ready, it’s cooled before being served or stored for later use.
- The fermentation process begins when the syrup is added to the juice. The mixture is then placed in a warm location for one week. To avoid the growth of mold, the container is periodically shaken. This process facilitates the fermentation of the wine.
- Filtration of fermented juice. The cake and sediment remain at the bottom of the old tank.
- The fermentation process continues as an airlock is attached to the bottle of juice, allowing the release of carbon dioxide. This is the crucial step for the complete maturation of the alcoholic drink.
- The wine is separated into individual containers and filtered after a period of 5 weeks, ready for distribution.
A classic wine from red currant berries comes out strongly (up to 18 vol.%). To attain a 12% alcohol content, an additional 6 liters of water must be incorporated into the mixture. This modification will not affect the existing proportions of berries and sugar. It is important to note that the sweeter the wine, the longer it can be preserved. Prior to serving, the beverage will undergo a 2-month preparation process.
For Lovers of Fortified Drinks
Certain individuals enjoy beverages with alcoholic content. Vodka is a popular choice for those looking to enhance the strength of their drinks, as it is both odorless and flavorless, allowing the original taste of the base drink to shine through. Additionally, the alcohol content can be increased by adding more sugar. It’s important to note that good wine yeast is also beneficial, as it can be used to create both fortified wine and a traditional redcurrant berry drink. The ingredients for fortified wine include vodka (1-1.5 liters) and wine yeast (1 cup).
Alcoholic beverages can be made efficiently, with the key factor being the selection of high-quality ingredients. Otherwise, the fermentation process may result in mold growth, rendering the wine undrinkable. To achieve a sour taste, adding all the sugar during the initial stage is essential. This is a crucial aspect of creating dry wine. However, if you desire a sweet currant drink, the sugar should be added gradually over the course of the first week of fermentation, with intervals of 3 days between each addition.
Storage
- Wine from red currant berries is stored at temperatures from +8 to +12 ° C.
- The ideal place for this drink is a cellar or refrigerator.
- It is not recommended to put wine in the freezer.
- At minus temperature, the taste molecules are destroyed.
As a result, alcohol is felt more than berries. If you need to cool the drink urgently, it is best to put the bottle in a container with cold water.
Currant wine has a shelf life of up to 2 years, but it’s recommended to consume it within the first year for optimal flavor and quality. The addition of vodka helps to ferment the drink, however, prolonged storage can lead to the growth of mold and a sour taste. For home use, it’s best to prepare no more than 10 liters of currant wine at a time to ensure freshness and quality.
Red Currant Wine Recipe Details That Are Useful to Novice Winemakers
Even those who are new to winemaking can easily learn how to make the red currant drink recipe. The high productivity of red currants is greatly appreciated by winemakers. It is crucial to carefully follow the process of making red currant wine.
Both novices and seasoned winemakers must abide by the following guidelines:
- Include the yeast. If not added, the fermentation will proceed at a sluggish pace. Yeast can be purchased from a store or prepared at home. Bacteria reside on the outer layer of red currants and initiate the fermentation process.
- Peel the berries from the leaves, branches, and stems. Otherwise, the finished product will be tartar flavor.
- Transfer the liquid to a water lock bottle. This will ensure an active fermentation process. Instead of a water seal, a rubber glove with a pierced finger is often used..different bottles with a water lock.
- Select only ripe berries for the best results. Overripe currants are ideal. Novice winemakers may question if frozen currants can be utilized in wine production. While frozen berries are acceptable, adding yeast is necessary since freezing kills bacteria on the red currants’ surfaces
- Allow the wine to settle and clarify before pouring it into containers. This is crucial to prevent the sediment from entering the containers, which would spoil the taste of the wine.
- Take extra care with the red currant juice. Combine 1 kg of berries with 300 ml of water. Cover the juice container with gauze and keep it in a warm location for one week. Stir the mixture twice daily to ensure fermentation. Next, place the berries in a small cloth bag and press to extract the juice.
Pouring wine without sediment is a simple task. To achieve this, a rubber tube is employed. The wine bottle is positioned over the recipient, which is meant to hold the poured liquid. One end of the rubber tube is inserted into the wine container, while the other is placed in a bottle positioned underneath. As a result, the wine will smoothly flow into the empty vessel, leaving the sediment behind in the topmost bottle.