The Perfect Time for Craft Winemaking
Now is the perfect time to try your hand at craft winemaking from fresh countryside ingredients. May and June herald the start of the growth season for fresh ingredients and the sight of creamy white elderflowers in hedgerows is a visual sign of this. Following on the heels of elderflowers will be delicious strawberries, which make a perfect summer Rose wine.
Seasonal Ingredients for Craft Winemaking
In the UK, strawberries typically ripen from late May through to July, depending on the specific variety and local weather conditions. The peak season for British strawberries is usually in June. Of course, weather variations can affect the exact timing of ripening, so it’s always a good idea to check with local farmers or growers for the most accurate information.
The Tradition of Craft Winemaking in the UK
Craft country winemaking is a firm tradition in the UK, cherished by many enthusiasts and hobbyists. Whilst many home winemakers now make wine from kits, there has been a recent resurgence of interest in craft winemaking. Craft winemaking allows individuals to experiment with various fruits, flowers, and even vegetables to create unique and personalised wines. It’s often seen as a fun and rewarding hobby, particularly in rural areas or among those with access to homegrown produce. It also gives the winemaker complete control over the process, using natural, fresh ingredients.
For those interested in starting with wine kits, Dark Rock Brewing offers a wide range of wine making starter kits and wine additives.
Why Craft Winemaking is Gaining Popularity
Craft winemaking, like other forms of artisanal or homemade production, is gaining popularity for several reasons:
Creativity and Personalisation
Craft winemaking allows individuals to unleash their creativity by experimenting with different ingredients, flavours, and techniques. It offers the opportunity to tailor wines to personal tastes, preferences, and dietary restrictions.
Connection to Nature and Tradition
Crafting wine at home often involves using locally sourced fruits, flowers, or herbs, fostering a connection to the land and local agriculture. It can also be a way to preserve traditional methods of winemaking that have been passed down through generations.
Sense of Accomplishment
Making wine from scratch can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience. There’s a sense of accomplishment that comes from nurturing ingredients through the winemaking process and enjoying the final product with friends and family.
Community and Social Aspects
Craft winemaking can be a social activity, whether it’s collaborating with friends or family members on a batch or joining local winemaking clubs or groups. Sharing knowledge, tips, and experiences with fellow enthusiasts can enhance the enjoyment of the hobby.
Quality and Taste
Many craft winemakers take pride in producing high-quality wines that rival or even surpass commercially available options. With careful attention to detail and the use of premium ingredients, homemade wines can offer unique and delightful flavour profiles.
Overall, craft winemaking appeals to those who value artisanal craftsmanship, creativity, and a deeper connection to the food and beverages they consume. It’s a hobby that allows individuals to explore their passion for wine in a hands-on and fulfilling way.
Commercial Interest in Craft and Fruit Wines
Many commercial wine producers are adding fruit wines to their portfolios. Vineyards in regions such as Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire are producing high-quality fruit wines. Lyme Bay Winery in Devon produce a range of delicious fruit and flower-based wines, which are attracting a growing number of consumers.
Learning the Art of Craft Winemaking
If you are keen to develop your own skills in this area, The Art of Craft Winemaking is a useful, comprehensive guide that will steer you from the basics of making wines from kits to more advanced craft winemaking using grapes, fruits, and other countryside ingredients. The book describes the processes for achieving great results every time and discusses how to adapt kits and blend kit wines to produce stunning wines. It also explores advanced winemaking techniques and describes how to make craft wines from grapes and other countryside ingredients. There are over fifty award-winning wine recipes included, which have been perfected over many years. They provide full instructions and advice to ensure the production of consistently high-quality wines.
Expanding Skills to Spirit-Making and Mixology
The book also covers the topics of spirit-making and mixology. It describes how to make your own base spirits, which can be used to produce fantastic, cost-effective liqueurs, cocktails, and mixers. Mixology techniques and equipment are explored, and thirty of the most popular cocktail and mixer recipes from around the world are included to develop your skills.
