Our homemade cherry wine recipe is one of the best cherry wine recipes on the internet. Cherry wine has a soft blush color and an amazing aroma. We prefer our cherry wine to be slightly sweet. Enjoy with barbecued foods, picnic fare, or cheese and fruit. You can buy fresh cherries, or if you have access to a backyard cherry tree, that is even better. Try our cherry wine recipe today.
Cherry Wine Recipe
Homemade cherry wine has a sweet, fruity flavor with a hint of tartness. It is smooth and light on the palate, with aromas of cherries and earthy undertones. It has a subtle, lingering finish.
Ingredients
- 15 pounds (6.8 kg) fresh cherries
- 11 pounds (5 kg) sugar
- 6 teaspoons (30.6 g) acid blend
- 1¼ teaspoons (3.4 g) grape tannin
- 5 teaspoons (23 g) yeast nutrient
- Water enough to make 5 gallons (19 L)
- 10 drops (0.5 mL) pectic enzyme liquid
- 1 package (5 g) Wyeast Mead (Sweet) yeast
- 10 Campden tablets or 1 teaspoon (6.2 g) potassium metabisulfite powder
Instructions
- Sanitize all equipment.
- Crush the cherries and put them, along with the sugar, acid blend, grape tannin, and yeast nutrient, into the fermentation container.
- Add 1 gallon (3.8 L) of hot water to the mixture and stir to dissolve the sugar.
- Add enough tepid water to make 5 gallons (19 L) and let cool to 70°F (21°C). Then add 10 drops (0.5 mL) pectic enzyme liquid.
- When the juice is cooled, add the yeast and stir it into the mix.
- When the specific gravity gets down to 1.040, strain out the fruit pulp and press out the liquid.
- Place 5 crushed Campden tablets or ½ teaspoon (3.1 g) potassium metabisulfite powder in a 5-gallon (19 L) glass carboy, then siphon the new wine into the carboy.
- In a month, put 2½ crushed Campden tablets or ¼ teaspoon (1.4 g) potassium metabisulfite powder into a new carboy and rack the wine again.
- Let the wine sit for 3 more months. It should now be ready for another racking, using the same procedure as in step 8.
- When the wine is clear and stable, taste it. Adjust for sweetness and bottle. Wait 6 months, then taste.
Why Make Wine Cherry Wine at Home?
Making cherry wine at home is a great way to enjoy a delicious and unique homemade beverage. With a few simple steps, you can make your own cherry wine in the comfort of your own home.
One major benefit of making cherry wine at home is that you can customize it to suit your tastes. You can adjust the sweetness, acidity, and other flavors to make a unique, one-of-a-kind wine. You can also experiment with different varieties of cherries to create a unique flavor profile. This is a great way to explore your own creativity and develop a truly unique and enjoyable beverage.
Home-made cherry wine is also a great way to bring some variety to your wine collection. Making your own cherry wine is a great way to explore a type of wine you may not have tried before. This can broaden your palate and add some new flavors and aromas to your wine collection.
Making cherry wine is also a great way to save money. Store-bought wines can be quite expensive, so making your own at home can help you save some money in the long run. Plus, with a few simple ingredients, you can make enough cherry wine for multiple bottles.
Finally, making cherry wine at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. There is something special about creating a wine from scratch in your own kitchen. This can be a great way to bond with family and friends, or just a fun activity to do on your own. Even if you don’t end up with the perfect wine, you will have a unique and enjoyable experience.
Common Questions About Homemade Cherry Wine
What type of cherries should I use for making cherry wine at home?
The best type of cherries for making cherry wine are sweet cherries. Sour cherries can be used, but they are more difficult to work with and can result in a tart and acidic tasting wine. Avoid using canned or frozen cherries, as they will not produce the same quality of wine.
What other ingredients are needed to make cherry wine?
In addition to cherries, you will need sugar, yeast, and water.
How much sugar should I use when making cherry wine?
The amount of sugar you use will depend on the type of cherries you are using. Sweet cherries will require less sugar than sour cherries. Generally, you should use between 1/2 and 2/3 cup of sugar per gallon of cherry juice.
What type of yeast should I use when making cherry wine?
You can use either dry or liquid yeast for making cherry wine. Most experts recommend using champagne yeast for a higher alcohol content and a dry finish.
How long does it take to make cherry wine?
It typically takes about 4 to 6 weeks to make cherry wine. This includes the time it takes for the primary fermentation, racking, and aging.
How do I know when my cherry wine is ready to drink?
The best way to determine if your cherry wine is ready to drink is to take a sample and taste it. If it has a pleasant flavor, and is not overly sweet or acidic, then it is ready to drink.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this cherry wine recipe is a great way to make a delicious and refreshing alcoholic beverage. It does require some time to make, but the result will be a delightful and flavor-filled drink that can be enjoyed year-round. With the right ingredients and a little patience, you can quickly whip up this wine and enjoy it with friends or even on your own. So why not give it a try and see what you can come up with?
