2006-09-30 08:52:38 · 8 answers · asked by James D. R 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
+ Amazingly NO, Taste it before you add the yeast but if it is sweet like a concord grape no sugar is needed.
Good Luck
2006-09-30 08:56:03 · answer #1 · answered by Clamdigger 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The grapes should be as ripe as possible when they are harvested, so their sugar content is at its highest. That natural sugar should be sufficient. You can test for sugar content by taking the specific gravity of the must (the crushed grape juice) and this will tell you if you need to add more sugar. But grapes almost always have enough natural sugar. Fruit wines, on the other hand, such as rhubarb, apple, pear, etc. usually don't have the high sugar content of grapes and do require additional sugar.
2006-09-30 16:05:37 · answer #2 · answered by old lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm 61 and been making wine and beer since i was 14 yes and no to your question //if you want a higher alcohol level add some corn sugar or dextrose ,, i just made a 6 gal brew today and put extra sugar to get alcohol level up i paln to start drinking it maybe next year but beer can be made and drank without a lot of aging (30 days) wine taste better the longer it ages but all the answers i see here are correct--- hicup oops !!
2006-09-30 16:21:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The juice from the grapes is sampled using a hydometer to check the specific gravity of the juice (must). The higher the specific gravity at the start the higher the final alcohol content will be.
The specific gravity represents the quantity of sugar in the juice.
Lots to be found on wine making on the net.
2006-09-30 16:02:27 · answer #4 · answered by manwithbeers2003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope, the sugar in the grapes should be enough -- but if not (if the specific gravity is too low), you can add sugar.
Also, if you're making wine from fresh grapes, make sure you mind the pH. And even if you're using fresh grapes (smashing them yourself), I'd still add yeast.
2006-09-30 15:54:13 · answer #5 · answered by Scank B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not at all. Adding sugar just raises the final % of alcohol, or adds sweetness if you stop the fermentation early.
2006-09-30 16:45:29 · answer #6 · answered by Trid 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no. my father always made homemade wine. make sure u use the rite grapes.
2006-09-30 16:10:59 · answer #7 · answered by havingfun 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope
You need a specific wine yeast though
2006-09-30 15:58:03 · answer #8 · answered by salforddude 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋