Getting started(Please help)

It is need...or neat. New winemakers are generally advised to start with a wine kit. Kit manufacturers are pretty adept at walking a newbie successfully thru the process and are usually foolproof if you follow the directions. You need also to find a wine/beer supplier in your area who can provide you with not only a good quality kit but also the occasional advice you'll need. Once you've had the opportunity to taste the fruits of your labor you'll want to try it again...and again...and again. It is fun, and rewarding as well. A quality kit may run you around $100, but if it bottles 30 bottles of wine the price suddenly isn't that steep. The necessary equipment to begin with may also give you pause, but don't let it. If you have to buy two 6 gallon carboys, do it. Many wine suppliers (OK, mine does anyhow) will buy them back if you decide the hobby isn't what you anticipated. The other equipment is also relatively cheap. Be sure to visit

for excellent information and links to the real experts on home winemaking. Don't hesitate to query this NG if you have questions, the contributors here are first-rate and extremely helpful. It's best though to search the archives first. Just enter a couple key words in the box on the opening page, then click "search this group." You may be surprised how many people have asked the same question about a problem you are dealing with. Stick with it, you'll never regret it.

Paul

zven wrote:

Welcome to the club Tom, My only addition to Paul's good advice is get a book on winemaking and read the book while your first kit fermentation is underway. Winemaking is mostly waiting, so you will have plenty of time to read. I will even provide the book. You can get your copy here

Good luck