We did it!!! We bottled all of our wine and it was awesome! It was so cool to learn about the process of bottling. The wine is a Merlot that has been fermenting since 2005 when the grapes were originally crushed, and it's probably the best wine that my dad and his wife have made so far. Practice has definitely made perfect.
First we transferred it from the oak barrels into the glass carboys, then we pumped it from the carboys into the bottles, and then we corked it. Now it sits in the bottles for about 9 months before we add the silver foils to the top - that way the cork can breathe in the meantime. We have 168 mini-bottles so that will have to be the upper limit for wedding guests :)
Testing the wine inside the oak barrels.It's drawn out with a glass pipette and put into a glass beaker.
Drinking from the beaker.
Using the wine pump to pump the wine from the oak barrels into the glass carboys.
Transferring from the carboys into the small wine bottles.
Using the corker to cork the bottles. We had to have the strongest person in the room do it b/c it's quite difficult!
All done! 168 mini bottles of wine are all set for the wedding favors. These are some of the larger bottles my brother and I get to take home as a bonus.
3 comments:
That is AMAZING. My former roommate, M., used to brew his own beer, to much success. He created a pear wheat using the pears from our backyard and I have to say, his Type-A personality definitely came in handy what with the precision required to do it right.
My favorite memory, however, has to do with M. putting the giant carboy in the corner with a blanket around the bottom to keep it warm: I couldn't find my little doggie, Boo, one day, and I discovered her curled up on the blanket around the carboy. M. would've flipped; I never told him.
Can't wait to taste vintage Anderberry wine!
It all looks like fun, what a wonderful memory Dad and Diana are making for you both. It was great that you were all able to contribute to the bottling process.Food,friends,and family are always good for the soul.
sounds like a good DVD to rent (dane cook). love Mom.
Yay! Bet it feels good to have that done. Or at least the major part of it done. They'll be great at the wedding! And you had fun doing it. Perfect.
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