Brew Your Own - one step closer to The Good Life

For many a year my nickname amongst friends has been Barbara, aka felicity kendal from the Good Life. Not that I resemble her in any way possible, but more because I've always loved living life with a nod to the alternative and environmental way. I've composted for many years, attempted to grow fruit and vegables (as per my previous post). I've finally met my 'Tom'. Thats my husband Mark, who is also interested in some of the above, but prefers to investigate the technical aspects of alternative fuel.

Finally, after a break of over 15 years I've made a return to one aspect of the Good Life, and thats home brew. My father used to make home brew when I was a child, mainly beer and some wine and was also a champion pickler, and I guess some of it has rubbed off. I first flirtered with home brewed wine some years ago and mainly as the concoction produced was so awful it could strip paint and kill small mammals, I gave it up, only to return to it this year. The trigger was a birthday present I purchased for my twin brother, a home brew cerveza kit. I then purchased another beer kit for my husband, and a wine kit for a friend's birthday, before taking the plunge and having a go myself.

So what's happened so far. Well I can categorically say that wine kits have improved significantly in the last 15 years and are now a by-product of some vineyards, keen to cash in on this profit margin for their excess grape juice. My garage is currently straining under 60 bottles of wine and 15 litres, with another 22 litres in production. My first attempt was a small 6 bottle kit of Heron Bay Italian Amarone - delicious. Followed by plum wine, zinfandel, barolo, chablis, bordeaux etc. The favourite by far being Beaverdale White Bourgeron, a white burgundy which is absolutely fantastic. On brew at the moment is a Chardonnay/Chenin Blanc which I await with eager anticipation.

I have to say that my decision to return to home brew has nothing to do with cost, I'm a member of a wine club and still order wines in this way, but the sense of pride and achievement you have when you've made something that tastes great is just the same as if you'd cooked a banquet for friends...its priceless. The obvious cost savings are a bonus, especially when the wine tastes so good. I'm lucky enough to have 2 home brew shops nearby, Leyland Home Brew in Lancashire http://www.leylandhomebrew.co.uk/ and the Grape Vine in Pemberton, Wigan. However for a great selection and range you can't beat http://www.hopandgrape.co.uk/.

So what next. Well having understood the wine making process a little more through the use of kits, my next step is to progress to what I would call 'fresh' wines, using damsons and perhaps elderflower. I have my fruit press at the ready and am just waiting for the harvest. I'll keep you posted.

Cath