Monday, July 14 - Paul is not a great fan of sitting around doing nothing. So with time on his hands, he decided to re-visit a former hobby – wine making. He used to make quite a bit of wine, but traveling in an RV isn't exactly the best environment for making wine. He has about a six-week window of opportunity to make wine from a wine kit. That way, he can bottle it before we hit the road.
We went to Akron to a very good wine making supply company, The Grape and Granary. They have just about anything a wine or beer maker needs. They even have a nice tasting room. We tasted various choices before deciding on our wine making kits.
We went “all in” and chose three kits. Two semi-dry Rieslings (Columbia Valley Riesling and Green Apple Riesling) and a very nice semi-dry red wine (Luna Rossa).
Lucky for the wallet, Paul has been receiving gift cards for the wine store, and other wine making supplies for Christmas and his birthday. So he was able to get back in to wine making without breaking the bank. Like all hobbies, it cost money to have fun.... :-)
The first order of business is to prepare the ingredients for fermenting. Following the directions provided in the kit makes this a fool proof undertaking. After adding the contents to the fermenting tank, Paul added some water and then the yeast. Ahhh...that sure made the basement smell good!
The wine fermented for seven days in the tanks, and then Paul transferred it to an air-tight carboy (a 5-gallon glass jug) where it will remain until the fermentation is complete. He will need to “rack it” (transfer it to a clean carboy) several times to eliminate any solids that have settled to the bottom.
It is working already.
Once the wine stops working, he can bottle it and store it until we fly home for the Christmas holidays. Should be a fun holiday!
We will make our apologies ahead of time. We might not be leaving as many comments as we usually do. Why? you ask….This is Wedding Week. Marsha and Kelly finished up all the planning for the week on Sunday. They both have a list for each day. Carrie will be flying in on Wednesday. A few things still on their list are buying flip-flops for when their feet are killing them (around 9 p.m.) they can keep dancing, food for the “after” wedding party on Sunday, double checking with all those involved in the decorating, and church ceremony, etc., etc., etc. Wedding photos in the next blog.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope you to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!
We wouldn't Paul get bored:) Glad he has a hobby to keep him busy. Sounds like fun and a lot of work. Can't wait to see the finished bottles. No need to reply. Have a wonderful week with the family making lasting memories. Happy Wedding Day to Kelly and Dave:)
ReplyDeleteNow you need your own wine label!
ReplyDeleteWe love drinking wine, but not sure about making our own, but Paul looks like he knows what he is doing:)
ReplyDeleteDid you see the blog I posted with all of Joe's collection of wine he had making, was making and thinking about making? I'm sure he and Paul would have a lot to talk about.
ReplyDeleteI can hardly wait to see the pictures. What a week you are going to have. You may need some of the vino before it's all over.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing the wedding pics. Hope all goes well and the weather cooperates.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be happy to stop by and taste it for you.
ReplyDeleteLove the Green Apple Riesling, have been making that for over 15 years for Suzie, almost ready for another batch.
ReplyDeleteIf it were not for the cold in Ohio at Christmas, we'd join you for the wine tastings. Oh well, maybe you will bring some to Q.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great lesson on the making of your own wine!! Very interesting and can't wait to hear how it taste!!!
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the very best in the upcoming wedding!!! What an exciting and grand occasion!! Enjoy!! Looking forward to the wedding pictures..:-)
Did not know there is such a thing as a wine kit. I think Steve would be interested on this probably pricey hobby.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the wedding and then the wine.
ReplyDeletegood luck with wedding week!! Can't wait to see all the pictures!!
ReplyDeleteI know the wine will turn out great.
ReplyDeleteWish everything goes as expected with all the wedding plans.
Enjoy this special week to the fullest!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun hobby. Your excused from blogging and comments LOL. Time to focus on that wedding.... enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHere's wishing only the best for the Wedding and everything that follows.
ReplyDeleteGreat hobby Paul.
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
Our little "girl's" wedding have priority over all else. . .enjoy every minute!
ReplyDeleteI tried to comment earlier today but don't see it so I hope this won't be a duplicate. Is there anything you are not good at Paul? No worries about visiting blogs as your focus is just where it should be, on Kelly and Dave, making family memories. Hopefully you will share some wedding photos with your faithful fans. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how wedding plans take over everything and anything going on! Same here! Enjoy the week and I'm looking forward to seeing all your wonderful wedding photos!
ReplyDeleteThe wine making looks like fun. I'll be interested to see how the bottling process works.
Enjoy the "wedding week." There will be such great memories to remember in years to come.
ReplyDeletehave a great wedding week! and yes, bring some wine to Q! we love reislings!
ReplyDelete