Make Your Own Wine

Make Your Own Wine –

On a Budget

Local Fermentations encourages wine lovers to bottle their own during economic hard times.

By: Jenna Williams

The History of the Grape and the Bottle

The grape is almost as old as the history of human beings. Grapes have been cultivated since 6000 B.C., and the delicious fruit did not stay wild for long. Years later, in 2000 B.C., sailors were carrying grapevines across the Mediterranean to Greece and all over the world. Though the prehistory of wine is unknown, it was discovered that in 4000 B.C., Egyptians were making and fermenting wine in earthen pots, which were unsealed. The Romans used wooden barrels to store their wine but it was not air tight, so the wine had to be consumed early, or it would go stale. But, finally, in 1750, the development of the cylindrical wine bottle with an airtight cork made wine lovers able to store and keep their wine for as long as they wished. Today, the most expensive bottle of wine is a Bordeaux, a 1787 Chateau Lafite and though it is completely undrinkable, it is worth approximately $160,000.00.

Small Place, Big Taste

At the local Fermentations on the Danforth, wine connoisseurs and up-and-comers can find and create something that is just right for them. Award winning, Fermentations is fast, fun, easy and completely guaranteed. Visitors can make anything from beer to wine to coolers.
The wine, however, is their specialty. Charles Fajgenbaum received a Grand Master Winemaker award in 2007, and has won awards for his Baco Noir, Vidal, and Riesling wines. The store has been voted Best in Toronto to make your own wine by Now Magazine five times and continues to receive praise from both critics and brewers alike.

Economic Squeeze

With the economy taking hits from both the left and the right sides lately, it is tough to decide what is alright to spend our money on and what is not. And for wine lovers, the decisions to buy just keep getting trickier. Wine fanatics usually have their favorite types of wines – the bottles they run into the store for and crave late at night or with a specific meal. Wine newbie’s, who take chances on different bottles, begin to have trouble deciding what they should spend o a bottle they are not sure of. And when our wallets start taking a hit, where can we go to satisfy our desires without breaking the bank?

Wine Lovers Rejoice

At Fermentations, the prices range from $140-$175 for 26 bottles. On average, this is approximately $5.38 a bottle!! This is a steal compared to any product that sells in the LCBO. When making your own wine, you can choose whichever wine you want to create and you have total control over the making of your wine fine throughout the entire process.

Are You Ready? The 4 Crucial Steps of Wine Making.

1. Think about the types of wine you prefer. White or red? Sweet or dry?
2. Meet with Charles at Fermentations and determine the best grapes and best methods to create your perfect wine.
3. Fermentation begins and excitement builds for your new bottles of wine.
4. You bottle your own, labeling it and corking it.

** (if you are beginning to get a bit antsy, check out the following video (see below) on how your wine is being made.)

From the Grape to the Bottle to You

Winemaking is an extremely fun process. You get to be a complete part of wine history as you pick your own grapes and bottle your finished product. During economic strains and tight budgets, remember that with Fermentations is possible to create a taste that is truly unforgettable – and for only $6/bottle!

Word of Mouth

If you have made your own wine in the past, I encourage you to tell readers about your experience. What did you make? How did it taste?      What would you say to first time wine makers? Any tips or hints that you are willing to spill?

Have any questions? Fermentations has the answers!