How to Make Delicious Homemade Mulberry Wine
Mulberries are one of my favorite fruits to use in winemaking. They make a deep red colored wine with a sweet hint of tartness that is perfect for sipping on warm summer nights. In this recipe, I will show you how to make homemade mulberry wine using only 2 ingredients – fresh mulberries and granulated sugar.
Making your own wine at home has never been easier or more accessible than it is now. All you need is some basic winemaking equipment, fresh fruit, and the desire to experiment with flavors and techniques. Mulberry trees abound in many parts of the world, making them an excellent choice for anyone looking to create a fruity red wine that is bursting with flavor.
As a sommelier, I know that trying out new things can be daunting, but with my easy-to-follow recipe and step-by-step instructions, you can make mulberry wine at home like a pro. This recipe yields 5 gallons of delicious wine, perfect for sharing with friends and family. So let’s dive in and learn how to make this simple yet delicious mulberry wine!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Attention wine lovers! I present to you a recipe that is sure to satisfy your taste buds. This simple and delicious recipe is for none other than the infamous mulberry wine. Why should you love this recipe, you ask? Well, let me count the ways.
First of all, mulberries are known to be rich in vitamins and antioxidants, making this wine not only tasty but also healthy. Secondly, this recipe only requires two ingredients – ripe mulberries and sugar. It doesn’t get any simpler than that!
But the real reason why you’ll love this recipe is because of its sweet hint of tartness and deep red color. The combination of sweet and sour in every sip will leave you craving for more. And let’s not forget, it’s a fruit wine, making it the perfect companion for any fruit-based dessert.
Another great thing about this recipe is how easy it is to make. All you need to do is crush the clean mulberries in a winemaking bucket, then add sugar, water, yeast nutrient, acid blend, and pectic enzyme. Ferment it for a week and voila – homemade mulberry wine!
Lastly, if you have mulberry trees in your backyard, making mulberry wine is a great way to put those fruits to use before they go bad. Plus, it’s much more cost-effective than buying store-bought wine.
So what are you waiting for? Gather your fresh mulberries and start winemaking today! You won’t regret it once you take that first sip of the fruity red wine that this homemade mulberry wine promises to deliver.
Ingredient List
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this simple delicious mulberry wine recipe:
- 15 lbs ripe mulberries
- 25 lbs sugar
- 1 tsp acid blend
- 1 tsp pectic enzyme
- 1 tbsp yeast nutrient
- 2 gallons of water (for the sugar mixture)
- 2 pounds of additional sugar for the fruit mixture
- 1 teaspoon of pectic enzyme (for the fruit mixture)
These ingredients can be easily found at your local grocery store or winemaking supply shop. When selecting your mulberries, it is important to choose clean and fresh mulberries from your own tree or a reputable source. The ripe mulberries will add a deep red color and a sweet hint of tartness to the wine.
The Recipe How-To
Step 1: Make Mulberry Juice
Before starting with the recipe make sure you already have your mulberry juice ready. You can make it by either boiling or pressing the mulberries. Once it is done, let it cool to room temperature.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
In a winemaking bucket, mix together 2 pounds of clean mulberries, 25 lbs of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of acid blend. Then add in 1 teaspoon of pectic enzyme and stir well until sugar dissolves.
Next, add in three-quarters of a gallon of warm water and continue stirring for a few minutes until everything is well-combined.
Step 3: Add Yeast Nutrient
Now add in 2 tbsp of yeast nutrient and stir well. This will help kickstart the fermentation process.
Step 4: Pitch Yeast
Sprinkle the yeast on top of the mixture and stir gently for about five minutes to ensure that they are properly mixed.
Step 5: Fermentation Process
Cover your winemaking bucket with a lid and let the wine ferment for about one week. During this time, the yeast will convert sugar into alcohol.
Step 6: Strain Out Mulberry Solids
After one week has passed, strain out all the mulberry solids using a sieve or cheesecloth. Add in some water if needed to achieve a total volume of 5 gallons.
Step 7: Wine Racking Process
Let it settle down for two weeks and transfer the clear wine liquid into a new winemaking bucket by siphoning it out. This process is called racking.
Step 8: Age Your Wine
Store your wine at room temperature until it has completed its fermentation process which takes around 4-6 weeks. Once done, you may taste it and adjust the sweetness according to your liking.
Step 9: Bottle and Serve
Once the Mulberry Wine is ready, you may bottle it up in sterilized glass bottles by using a funnel. Seal the bottles tightly with cork plugs and store them away from direct sunlight.
Enjoy your homemade Mulberry Wine solo or paired with hearty meals like roasted meats and grilled vegetables!
Substitutions and Variations
Making homemade wine can be a creative process that allows for easy substitutions and variations to create a unique flavor profile. For this mulberry wine recipe, you can add other types of fruit, such as strawberries or raspberries, to complement the naturally sweet hint tartness of the mulberries.
If you prefer a more acidic taste, you can increase the amount of acid blend used. If you want a sweeter wine, simply add more sugar during the fermentation process. Keep in mind that each substitution or variation alters the flavor profile and consistency of the wine.
For those who do not have access to fresh mulberries, frozen ones can be used as a substitute. Additionally, if you cannot find yeast nutrient 1 or pectic enzyme at your local grocery store, you can order them online or visit a winemaking supply store.
Variations to any winemaking recipe allow for experimentation and personalization. With this mulberry wine recipe, feel free to indulge your creativity and adjust to your desired taste preference.
Serving and Pairing
When it comes to serving and pairing Mulberry Wine, I suggest serving it chilled in wine glasses. The cool temperature enhances the fruity flavors and subtle sweetness of the wine. The deep red color of the wine is often captivating, and its aroma creates an inviting feeling for any wine enthusiast.
Mulberry wine is a simple, delicious, and unique fruit wine that can pair with various meals. It pairs well with meals such as lamb, pork chops, spaghetti or meatballs marinara, and vegetarian options such as roasted vegetable lasagna. Additionally, savory snacks such as cheese boards and charcuterie will also go well with this rich and fruity red wine.
As a sommelier who appreciates unique blends, I’d suggest trying a glass of mulberry wine alongside dark chocolate cake or cheesecake. The sweet hint of tartness elevates the rich decadent dessert flavors to another level. It equally complements savory dishes and desserts.
In conclusion, Mulberry Wine is an excellent choice for anyone looking for something new to try. Its unique flavor profile makes it stand out as an exceptional homemade fruit wine. With its subtle hint of sweetness and tartness, this fruity red wine pairs well with both savory dishes as well as desserts.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Making mulberry wine is just the beginning – it’s important to know how to store and care for your homemade libation as well. Thankfully, mulberry wine is known for its longevity, and has been known to age beautifully. This means that as much as we’d love to open our bottles right after they’ve been corked, it can actually pay off to have a bit of patience.
To maximize the shelf life of your mulberry wine, keep it in a cool and dark place. Avoid any spot that’s exposed to sunlight or heat fluctuations. In this way, you’ll prevent any oxidation or staleness from forming. Freshness is key when it comes to wine storage, so make sure you consume your mulberry wine within 2-3 years.
If you make a large batch of mulberry wine that you simply cannot drink all of in that time frame, consider freezing it. Freezing suspends the aging process of the wine and keeps it fresh indefinitely. As a fruit wine, however, mulberry wine can take up quite a bit of freezer space – so plan your storage accordingly.
Reheating a glass of mulberry wine too quickly or too hot will only damage its delicate flavor profile. The heat will accelerate changes in the chemical composition of the wine and expose its faults instead of its best features. So when reheating mulberry wine, always warm the bottle in lukewarm water rather than on direct heat. This gradual heating process will help preserve the flavors and aromas.
Remember: while it’s always tempting to meddle with a delicious homemade drink like this one, cast the urge aside! Mulberry wine requires minimal manipulation and can stand on its own over time. It will be sure to give you many happy memories for years and years to come.
Tips for Perfect Results
To ensure that your homemade mulberry wine comes out perfect, it’s important to follow the recipe closely and pay attention to some important tips. Here are some tips to make sure your mulberry wine recipe turns out delicious:
1. Clean and wash your fresh mulberries before using them in the recipe. This will prevent any dirt or debris from getting into the wine and affecting its flavor.
2. Don’t skimp on the sugar – it’s essential for feeding the yeast during fermentation and creating a balanced flavor profile in the finished product.
3. Be sure to add enough yeast nutrient and acid blend in order to create a healthy fermentation environment for the yeast.
4. Make sure you use a wine-making bucket that is large enough to hold all of the ingredients without overflowing. A 5-gallon bucket is recommended for this recipe.
5. Allow enough time for fermentation – typically around 2-3 weeks – to ensure that the wine reaches its full flavor potential.
6. Keep the fermentation temperature consistent throughout the process by using a thermometer to monitor and adjust as necessary.
7. Once the wine has fermented, be sure to transfer it to sterilized bottles with airlocks to prevent oxidation.
8. Give your homemade mulberry wine plenty of time to age and develop its flavor – at least 6 months is suggested for the best taste.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to making excellent homemade mulberry wine that is sure to impress your friends and family!
FAQ
As with any recipe, questions and doubts may arise during its preparation. In this section, I will address some frequently asked questions about making mulberry wine. Let’s dive into these inquiries so that you can have a seamless winemaking experience.
What is mulberry wine good for?
Mulberries contain a range of beneficial elements including antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. These nutrients can contribute to reducing the impact of stress on the mind and body, whether that stress may be physical or psychological.
How much alcohol is in Mulberry wine?
When it comes to Mulberry wine, I find myself drawn to the dry and robust varieties with a high alcohol content of around 15%. The deep red hue and intense berry flavor profile lend itself to the wine’s local nickname – Asava or devil’s blood. I find this wine pairs perfectly with spicy cuisine and acts as a great conversational tool, as it’s best sipped slowly over an extended period of time.
Does mulberry wine taste good?
Crafting mulberry wine is like capturing the delightful balance between sweet and tangy found in juicy mulberries. Although it takes over a year to create, not including the period of aging after bottling, the rewards of indulging in this delectable drink make the wait worthwhile. The process of making this wine is not complicated, just requiring some patience and minimal effort.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the art of winemaking is an experience that can be enjoyed by anyone. With this mulberry wine recipe, you can create your own homemade mulberry wine that is simple, delicious, and has a sweet hint of tartness with a deep red color. The best part about this recipe is that it only requires a few ingredients and minimal effort.
Making your own wine is not only a fun and creative process, but it also allows for personalization and customization to fit your taste preferences. This mulberry wine recipe has provided you with the opportunity to explore the wonderful world of fruit wine-making from the comfort of your home.
So why not give this mulberry wine recipe a try? With fresh mulberries, yeast, fermentation, and some winemaking equipment, you’ll have a fruity red wine that’s perfect for any occasion in no time. Not only will you impress your friends and family with your new skill, but also enjoy the rich history and tradition of winemaking.
At last, don’t forget to enjoy your homemade mulberry wine by pairing it with your favorite dishes or desserts. Cheers to homemade winemaking!
Mulberry Wine Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 lbs ripe mulberries
- 2 lbs granulated sugar
- 1 lb raisins, chopped or minced
- 3/4 teaspoon pectic enzyme powder
- 1/2 teaspoon acid blend
- 6 pints water
- bordeaux wine yeast, and nutrient
Instructions
- Bring water to boil and dissolve sugar in it, stirring until completely clear.
- Meanwhile, wash the mulberries after removing the stems and pour into primary fermentation vessel.
- Add raisins, chopped or minced.
- Pour boiling sugar-water over fruit and allow to cool to 75-80 degrees F.
- Add pectic enzyme, acid blend, and yeast nutrient.
- Stir well, cover and set aside 12 hours.
- Add yeast, stir, recover, and allow to ferment four days on the pulp, stirring twice daily after punching down the cap.
- Strain through nylon sieve, pressing lightly to extract juice and then pour into dark secondary fermentation vessel or clear one wrapped with brown paper, topping up if necessary, and fit fermentation trap.
- Rack after two months and again two months later.
- Stabilize and set aside 2-3 weeks.
- Bottle, store in a dark place and taste after six months to a year.
- A full-bodied wine, it tastes better after two years.