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Mark Dotta

Welcome and congratulations on your desire to learn how to make your very own homemade wine that you will be proud to serve to friends and family. Throughout the course I will teach you basic wine making terms, the supplies you will need, how it all works and how to make wine following easy step-by-step directions. I have made sweet red, dry red, and port wine from juice and from grapes. We will focus primarily on making wine from grape juice that you can buy from a wine supply store. This is a fun hobby that allows you to experiment and make a totally custom wine. Your excitement will grow from year-to-year as you make different types of wine that you love. I hope you start a new tradition that will stay in your family for years to come, just as I make wine every year with my family. After this experience you may even want to try making wine from grapes.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Produce homemade wine (from juice) by following an easy to follow, step-by step process
  • Make your very own custom dry red table wine or sweet red wine
  • Understand wine making terminology
  • Learn how yeast produces alcohol in the process of fermentation
  • Familiarize with, use and understand the necessary equipment to make wine
  • Learn how to bottle and store your wine
  • Make educated decisions on the type of grape juice that would make your favorite wine
  • Create a professional looking bottle with labels and other tricks!

Syllabus

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Students will gain an understanding of topics covered throughout the course

Understand how yeast and sugar contribute to the process of fermentation and start to gain an understanding of how it all works.
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Relate to how yeast and sugar are necessary for the process of fermentation

Students will learn about the role yeast plays in fermentation and alcohol

Students will learn about the various supplements that are added to help the wine have the best possible outcome

Students will learn basic wine terminology and we will take a deeper look into the Hydrometer

Students will understand how temperature plays an important role in wine making

Students will be introduced to the supplies and equipment they will need to make wine

Students will be able to comprehend the difference between making wine directly from grapes opposed to just juice

Students will learn about some common grape varieties and their tannin levels, this will help in choosing a grape variety. I will also recommend my favorite blending varieties!

Today we will buy our Juice and Sanitize the necessary equipment for Day One procedures.

Review the steps we went over in the video and complete.

Set-up a workstation and take a temperature reading of juice.

Review the steps we took in the video and complete

I highly recommend that you keep a record of all daily activities, all added ingredients and amounts and all observations. Its good to have to keep track of what you have done and to look back on in the future.

Here is an example to follow on the next slide...

In this video we will use the hydrometer to find S.G and P.A. Based on out results we may need to add sugar to reach target potential alcohol of 12%.

*Get a notebook to record all measurements and daily activities: Air temperature, Juice temperature, Specific Gravity, Potential Alcohol, amount of juice, type of juice, type of yeast, daily notes, progress, when you added materials to wine and amount,

Students will be able to find their current Potential Alcohol and add sugar to target range

We will kill the wild yeast with P.M. and add good yeast for better control and outcome of wine

Do not add good yeast for at least 6 hours but do not wait longer than 12 hours!

Review the process of adding Metabisulfite

If you have not done so already, you should add yeast and within hours you should observe bubbles and foam forming at the top of the juice.

Students will be able to identify fermentation

It is important to keep the yeast health to ensure a complete fermentation, therefore I will show you how to add our yeast nutrient.

Students will learn when and why nutrient should be added, they will also learn how to troubleshoot fermentation problems.

Once Primary Fermentation has come to an end, usually about a week after starting, the wine must be transfered to a new carboy with an airlock in place. Here it will stay for at least 3 months during Secondary Fermentation and aging.

Students will learn how to rack wine, sanitize and how to store wine

Students will prepare their wine for bulk aging, which will last at least 3 months

Review content for week 2-4 process

Students who wish to add sugar or juice to sweeten will learn how and what to add, along with precautionary measures.

Review content about how to make sweet wine

Students will De-gas by stirring wine to remove CO2

Review procedures on how to De-gas wine and prepare wine for bottling

Students will be able to bottle and cork their wine for storage

Review the bottling procedure

Make a professional looking and presentable bottle!

One last goodbye, thank you and cheers!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a step-by-step guide to making wine from readily available grape juice, which simplifies the winemaking process for beginners
Covers essential winemaking terminology, equipment usage, and techniques, which builds a solid foundation for creating custom wines
Includes quizzes to reinforce learning at each stage of the winemaking process, which helps learners retain information and track their progress
Focuses on making wine from grape juice purchased from wine supply stores, which may not appeal to those interested in using fresh grapes
Requires specific equipment such as a hydrometer, carboy, and airlock, which may require an initial investment for new winemakers
Emphasizes the importance of sanitization and the use of chemicals like Potassium Metabisulfite, which requires careful handling and adherence to safety guidelines

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Reviews summary

Step-by-step homemade wine basics

According to learners, this course provides a clear, step-by-step guide suitable for complete beginners looking to make wine from juice. Students appreciated the coverage of basic terminology, necessary equipment, and the process of fermentation, finding the instructions easy to follow. Many reported successful first attempts at making wine. However, some feedback indicates the course could benefit from more in-depth troubleshooting for issues that may arise during fermentation or aging, suggesting it's best as a solid introduction rather than a comprehensive guide for all potential problems.
Helpful guidance on essential tools.
"The explanation on how to use the hydrometer and understand the readings was very clear and practical."
"Finally understood how to correctly measure sugar and potential alcohol thanks to this course."
"Using the hydrometer felt much less intimidating after watching the demonstrations."
Many students made good wine.
"I successfully made my first batch of wine, and it turned out surprisingly good!"
"Following the course, I produced a wine I'm proud to share with friends."
"The methods taught in the course definitely work; I got a drinkable result."
Perfect starting point for new winemakers.
"This course is excellent for anyone just starting out in homemade winemaking from juice."
"It covered all the absolute basics I needed to know without assuming prior knowledge."
"If you're a complete novice, this course gives you a solid foundation to build on."
Instructions are easy to follow for beginners.
"The step-by-step directions were incredibly easy to follow, even for someone who had never made wine before."
"I appreciated the clear, concise instructions that guided me through each stage of the winemaking process."
"Following the steps made the entire process feel manageable and not overwhelming."
Could use more help with problems.
"Wish there was more information on troubleshooting common issues like stalled fermentation or off-flavors."
"When a problem came up that wasn't exactly like the examples, I felt a bit lost on how to fix it."
"The course is great for smooth sailing, but doesn't provide much guidance when things go wrong."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Making Homemade Wine: A Step-by-Step Guide! with these activities:
Review Basic Chemistry Concepts
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental chemistry principles, as these principles underlie the fermentation process and the chemical reactions involved in winemaking.
Show steps
  • Review key concepts from a chemistry textbook or online resource.
  • Work through practice problems related to solutions and chemical reactions.
  • Focus on understanding pH and its impact on biological processes.
Read 'The Home Winemaker's Companion'
Gain a broader understanding of winemaking techniques and best practices to supplement the course's step-by-step instructions.
Show steps
  • Read the book cover to cover, taking notes on key concepts.
  • Focus on chapters related to fermentation and aging.
  • Compare the book's recommendations with the course's instructions.
Calculate Sugar Adjustments
Improve your ability to accurately adjust sugar levels in your wine must, a critical skill for achieving the desired alcohol content and sweetness.
Show steps
  • Review the course material on hydrometer readings and sugar calculations.
  • Create sample scenarios with different initial sugar levels and target alcohol contents.
  • Calculate the amount of sugar needed to reach the target in each scenario.
  • Verify your calculations using online calculators or winemaking software.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Explore 'Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine'
Expand your knowledge of different wine styles and grape varieties to inform your future winemaking decisions.
Show steps
  • Browse the book to learn about different grape varieties and their characteristics.
  • Read about different wine regions and their signature styles.
  • Experiment with tasting different wines and identifying their flavors.
Document Your Winemaking Process
Solidify your understanding of the winemaking process by creating a detailed journal of your own winemaking experience, including observations, measurements, and adjustments.
Show steps
  • Record all measurements, including temperature, specific gravity, and pH.
  • Note any observations about the fermentation process, such as bubble formation or sediment.
  • Document any adjustments you make, such as adding sugar or nutrients.
  • Reflect on what you learned from each step of the process.
Experiment with Different Yeast Strains
Deepen your understanding of fermentation by conducting a side-by-side comparison of different yeast strains and their impact on wine flavor and aroma.
Show steps
  • Obtain several different wine yeast strains from a winemaking supply store.
  • Prepare small batches of grape juice with identical starting conditions.
  • Inoculate each batch with a different yeast strain.
  • Monitor the fermentation process and record any differences in activity.
  • Taste the finished wines and compare their flavor profiles.

Career center

Learners who complete Making Homemade Wine: A Step-by-Step Guide! will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Home Winemaker
A home winemaker crafts wine for personal consumption or enjoyment, often as a hobby. This course provides an excellent foundation for a home winemaker to begin their journey by covering the essential steps of wine production. It delves into winemaking terms and supplies, the science of fermentation, and the process of making diverse wines by using grape juice. The course's step-by-step directions, focus on experimentation and customization is perfect for someone looking to create their own unique wines. The course will also guide you through creating a professional look for your final product.
Small Scale Winery Assistant
A small scale winery assistant helps with the day-to-day operations of a small winery, which may include the production of wine. This course provides an introduction to the world of winemaking and provides important knowledge. You will learn winemaking terms, equipment usage, and the fermentation process. The course's step-by-step instructions and focus on making wine from grape juice are very relevant to this role, as it provides insight into the fundamental winemaking process. You will also use a hydrometer, learn about chemicals and supplements. Anyone pursuing a career in a small winery environment will find the knowledge useful.
Fermentation Technician
A fermentation technician works in various industries, including food and beverage, monitoring and controlling the fermentation process. This course may be useful for a fermentation technician interested in winemaking. The course offers a clear understanding of fermentation, the role of yeast and sugar, and chemical supplements used. Though focused on wine, this course can help you build a foundation in the principles of fermentation that apply to other products, and will help you learn to apply the correct temperatures and to monitor the fermentation process.
Hobby Farmer
A hobby farmer may cultivate a small vineyard as part of their farming activities, and this course helps you understand the initial steps of making wine. While the course focuses on using grape juice, it introduces the process of transforming juice into wine using fermentation. The course's detailed instruction on fermentation, use of the hydrometer, temperature control, and sanitization, can inform a hobby farmer's plans to make wine from their own grapes in the future. The course also covers important topics such as bottling and storage that are important to the hobby farmer.
Brewery Assistant
A brewery assistant helps with beer production, and experience with the fermentation process is important. This course may be useful for a brewery assistant, as it provides a foundation in fermentation science. The course helps one understand the essentials of fermentation, including how yeast works and the role of sugar, as well as the use of supplements. This course may help someone in the brewing industry better understand the overall fermentation process. Though the course focuses on wine, understanding the fermentation of alcohol in general is useful.
Food Science Technician
A food science technician works in the food and beverage industry and this course may be useful because it teaches about aspects of food science, such as fermentation. The course provides a detailed look at the role of yeast in converting sugar into alcohol, which is a key concept in food science. The course also covers the importance of temperature control, sanitization, and the use of chemicals and supplements, which are all relevant for a food science technician. This course may help provide a deeper understanding of the processes used in the food and beverage industry.
Beverage Consultant
A beverage consultant provides expert advice on the development and production of various beverages. While this course focuses on making wine, it provides valuable insights into the winemaking process. This knowledge can be useful for a beverage consultant who may want to advise clients on wine production. The course covers wine making terms, the supplies one would need, how fermentation works, and how to make different types of wine. This can be a useful starting point for understanding how wines are produced and how to advise a winery.
Restaurant Manager
A restaurant manager needs to understand the basics of wine to manage inventory, train staff, make recommendations, and provide knowledgeable service. This course may be useful for a restaurant manager who would like to understand how wine is made. The course covers basic terminology, the fermentation process, and the steps to make wine and bottle it. This knowledge can help them better appreciate the complexity of wine making and make more informed decisions about wine selection and service in their restaurant. This also allows them to more confidently train their staff.
Quality Control Specialist
A quality control specialist ensures the quality of products in the food and beverage industry. This course may help someone become a quality control specialist with a focus on wine. The course introduces the winemaking process, including the use of tools, chemicals, temperature control, and sanitization, which are all necessary to create quality wine. The course provides an understanding of the variables that influence the outcome of fermentation, which can be helpful for ensuring consistent quality in wine production. Although it is focused on small batch production, these skills translate to large scale operation.
Agricultural Technician
An agricultural technician works in the agricultural sector, supporting farming operations. This course may be useful for an agricultural technician working with vineyards. While this course focuses on making wine from juice, it introduces fundamental winemaking processes. Understanding fermentation, the role of yeast and sugar, and the use of chemicals and sanitization provides valuable insights into the winemaking process. The course also introduces different grape varieties and their characteristics which can be helpful for learning about vineyard management.
Laboratory Assistant
A laboratory assistant performs various tasks in a laboratory setting, and this course may be useful to build knowledge of laboratory technique within the context of the food and beverage sector. The course includes learning the use of a hydrometer, taking measurements to track progress, and understanding the role of additives and chemicals. The course's emphasis on temperature control, sanitization, and careful monitoring of the fermentation process, can translate to good lab practice. While focused on wine, it may help a laboratory assistant entering into the field.
Catering Assistant
A catering assistant helps with food preparation and service for events. This course may be useful for someone who wishes to understand the basics of winemaking. The course provides an introduction to fermentation and winemaking, which can be helpful in understanding the types of wines that may be served. Though not essential for the role, the course may help those working in catering to better understand the production of wine. The course also helps with the basics of professional presentation.
Sommelier
A sommelier specializes in wine and provides expert recommendations. This course may be useful to give perspective to a sommelier, as it provides an overview of how wine is made. The course covers wine making terminology, equipment, the steps involved in fermentation and the steps to make custom wines. While the course focuses on small-batch home production, it can inform a sommelier's understanding of wine and how its characteristics come to be. This can help them better advise and serve clients.
Food and Beverage Writer
A food and beverage writer creates content about food and drinks, and this course may be useful for someone who would like to write about wine. The course introduces the winemaking process, from fermentation to bottling. The course introduces winemaking vocabulary and techniques, and it may assist the food and beverage writer in creating more informed and engaging content about wine. This course is a good baseline for understanding the process.
Bartender
A bartender mixes and serves drinks and needs to be knowledgeable about various beverages. This course may be useful for a bartender to understand the basics of winemaking. The course provides a basic understanding of the wine making process, fermentation, and wine storage. While the role doesn't require winemaking knowledge, the course helps bartenders appreciate the differences between wines and how they are produced. This course may help bartenders make better recommendations and provide better service.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Making Homemade Wine: A Step-by-Step Guide!.
Provides a comprehensive guide to home winemaking, covering everything from basic techniques to advanced methods. It offers detailed explanations of the winemaking process, including fermentation, aging, and bottling. It valuable resource for both beginners and experienced winemakers, offering practical advice and troubleshooting tips. This book expands on the course material by providing more in-depth information on specific grape varieties and winemaking styles.
Provides a visual and accessible introduction to the world of wine. It covers a wide range of topics, including grape varieties, wine regions, and tasting techniques. While not specifically focused on home winemaking, it offers valuable background knowledge on wine styles and flavors. This book is more valuable as additional reading to expand your knowledge of wine in general.

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