Homemade Apple Cider Wine Food

APPLE WINE

Steps:

• Start by removing about 1 quart of juice (4 cups) from the gallon, and then pour the other 3 quarts into a fermentation vessel.
• Place 2 cups of the removed juice in a small saucepan, and set the other 2 cups aside for topping off the fermentation vessel later.
• Gently warm the juice in the saucepan. Add all the ingredients (except yeast) and stir to dissolve. Turn off heat and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
• Pour the sweetened juice mixture into the fermentation vessel with the other apple juice.
• Dissolve the winemaking yeast in a small amount of unchlorinated water (about 1/4 cup). A packet is sufficient to start fermentation in 5 gallons of juice, so only use roughly 1/5 to 1/2 the packet. Allow the yeast to sit for about 10 minutes to rehydrate.
• Add the wine yeast to the fermentation vessel with the juice.
• Top off the fermentation vessel with some of the apple juice you set aside at the beginning until the level of the juice is at the base of the neck of the fermentation vessel. Be sure to leave 2-3 inches of headspace to allow the mixture to bubble.
• Cap with a rubber bung and waterlock (filled with water) and allow the mixture to ferment in primary for about 7 to 10 days. Fermentation will be very active, and may bubble up into the water lock. If so, clean out the water lock and re-attach it as necessary.
• After primary fermentation, use a brewing siphon to move the ferment to a clean fermentation vessel, leaving any sediment behind.
• Re-cap with a water lock and allow the mixture to ferment in a cool, dark place in "secondary" for at least 6 weeks, but preferably longer, like 6 months.
• When fermentation is complete, bottle the wine in wine bottles and allow it to bottle age for at least a month but preferably longer before drinking. If you'd like sweet wine, back sweetening may be necessary at this point. See notes for instructions.

HOMEMADE APPLE CIDER

Steps:

• Place apples in a large stockpot and add enough water cover by at least 2 inches. Stir in sugar, cinnamon, and allspice. Bring to a boil. Boil, uncovered, for 1 hour. Cover pot, reduce heat, and simmer for 2 hours.
• Strain apple mixture though a fine mesh sieve. Discard solids. Drain cider again though a cheesecloth lined sieve. Refrigerate until cold.

SPICED APPLE CIDER OR WINE MIX

Steps:

• For Spice Mix------------.
• Combine all ingredients and store in airtight container.
• To Make Spiced Apple Cider or Wine----------.
• Heat wine or cider until hot but not boiling.
• Steep the Apple Cider Spice Mix in the liquid until sugar is dissolved.
• Pour into serving mug and garnish with cinnamon stick and twist of peel.

MULLING SPICES (FOR WINE/APPLE CIDER)

Steps:

• Open cardamon pods and remove seeds; crust lightly.
• Combine seeds with cloves, allspice and orange peel.
• Place 2 teaspoons of spice mixture in the center of a 4 inch square of cheesecloth or muslin; bring corners together and tie with string to make a bag.
• Tie 3 cinnamon sticks to each bag; repeat with remaining spice mixture.
• Directions for use: Place 1 bag in 1 quart apple cider, cranberry juice or red wine.
• Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Serve warm.