Folks,
Just thought I'd share an old family recipe for step-by-step winemaking (with pictures). My dad was an Italian immigrant from Calabria and I have fond memories of watching him make wine in our basement. I kept all his equipment, including a large press.
Sometimes I read some of the wine making stuff and it almost seems you have to be a chemist and have some special equipment to get by. I remember Papa and he didn't use anything like air locks or hydrometers or added chemicals to control fermentation...
Of course, I also remember he had a large vinegar barrel! I think that is where tradition and consistency got involved. He was very careful and always did things 'the same way', making minor changes. Taping the barrel was always an adventure!
Here is the link.