JG: James Gagliardi

Homemade Wine

Several years ago I made my own wine. The first two batches were made at a "make your own" wine facility, both (a white and a red) turned out great. I then bought the same equipment to make it at home. My next two batches did not go so well. So for the last 3 years the equipment has been collecting dust.

This weekend I decided to dust off my wine equipment and head to the brew supply to pick up wine supplies.

You don't need to crush your own grapes. You can buy wine grape juice in almost all varietals. I choose to make a Montepulciano wine.

The juice will spend 1 week in the 6 gallon bucket. After one week I will transfer it to the glass carboy where it will sit for another 10 days, at which time I will add additional chemicals. 8 days later I will transfer to a second carboy where it will sit for another 4 weeks, until it is ready to be bottled.

I will transfer it to bottles. Cork, Foil, and Label the bottles, where they will sit for another six months. If all goes well, we should have a nice red wine for Valentines Day.

More updates to follow.

Smoothies

With the weather hot and steamy, I decided to make my own smoothies.

Several years ago about a cheap slushy blender from Target, which I've used to make root beer freezes (a blended root beer float), but never for smoothies.

It's simple and healthy with no additives.

Ingredients:
- 4 oz lemonade
- 1 banana
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 half avocado

Blend.