Fragrant berries are used not only for canning traditional compotes. Cherry and raspberry wine, prepared at home according to a simple recipe, is an exquisite drink. After fermentation, the liquid retains the taste of fresh berries and acquires a rich, bright red hue. Successful wine recipes are passed down from generation to generation and always successfully complement festive feasts.
Features of preparing the drink
To make the wine tasty and aromatic, clean and ripe fruits are used.Rotted or pest-damaged berries can spoil the taste of the product. It is advisable to collect fruits for wine in dry weather. If it is not possible to immediately begin processing, then the harvest can be put in the refrigerator. But you need to use cherries or raspberries to prepare the drink within three days.
Additions in the form of a small amount of other berries (currants, plums) will add unique aromatic notes to the drink. It should be taken into account that the main berry should be at least 50-70%. Spices (cinnamon, cloves, cardamom) will add piquant flavor notes.
Preparing Ingredients
In order not to make a mistake with the recipe, it is recommended to prepare all the necessary components in advance:
- 2.5 kg cherries;
- 2.5 kg raspberries;
- 1-1.3 kg of sugar;
- 4 liters of water.
It should be borne in mind that raspberries are not pre-washed, since the natural yeast that triggers the natural fermentation process is located on the surface of the berries. But the cherries are washed and sorted before weighing. When using spices, you need to take precautions so that the bright taste of the spices does not “overwhelm” the natural taste of raspberry and cherry wine.
Making wine from cherries and raspberries
From a standard set of ingredients, you can prepare several versions of the drink if you use different spices. The easiest way to prepare wine is according to the classic recipe. The process of creating a wine product includes several stages.
- Raspberries are peeled from the stalks, and cherries are pitted.
- The berry mixture is covered with sugar. The fruits are thoroughly rubbed with your hands until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- The container with the product is placed in a warm, dark place for 5-6 days for natural fermentation. The product is stirred every day to prevent mold from forming on the surface.
- After fermentation stops, the wort is filtered. Spices in a bag are placed in a barrel of liquid and the container is placed in a cool place for 10-15 days.
After storage, the liquid is filtered and bottled. It is recommended to keep the wine in a cool room for another one and a half to two months before drinking. To obtain a more “ripe” product, the drink is aged for 4-5 months.
Expiration date and storage rules
In order for wine to retain its aroma and pleasant taste, it is necessary to provide the product with appropriate storage conditions. Suitable temperature is 10-12 °C. The room should be dry, without access to light, the humidity level should be 70-75%.
To prevent the corks from drying out and cracking, the bottles are stored in a horizontal position. It is not recommended to pour wine into plastic containers. Dark glass bottles with glass lids are the best option. The shelf life of the wine is 12-14 months.
The process of making homemade wine is a long process. The quality of the product depends on several factors: berry variety, preparation technology, storage conditions. Delicious homemade wine not only complements a meal in an original way, it is also a drink that is healthy for the body.
