Stomp Those Grapes

  Whatever season we are entering is my favorite season as I look forward to all of the things that it holds.  Right now fall is my favorite season.  I love being out in the sun without sweating all of the time.  I love the golden rod and purple asters under the blue sky.  I love the colors of the grapes, pumpkins, leaves, and mums.  I love the taste and crunch of the new apples and the smells of fall.  I also love the fall produce and all of the things that you can do with it. Right now there is a crock of cabbage and salt on my counter that is turning into (I hope!) sauerkraut.  I fire roasted a half bushel of roma tomatoes and canned them for all of the delicious fall and winter sauces.  I will be freezing apple pies so that we can have a piece during the winter. One of my fall traditions is the crock of grapes on my counter that is turning into wine.

Melvin, a gentleman who worked at the old Retsof Salt mine gave us the recipe for his home brew.  It is an easy to make wine that is a little sweet at first for my taste, but is great in spaghetti sauce and other dishes.  (It also adds a special ambiance to your entertaining when the guests see you take a mason jar out of the cupboard and pour it into the sauce.)  If the wine sits for a year or so, it will be much more drinkable.

Melvin's Wine

Wash and pick over 20 pounds of grapes.  (I usually use concords)  Put in a crock, crush as you put them in (I like to use a potato masher every few inches of grapes, but I am sure you can find something else that will work), and cover with 5 quarts of scalding water.  Let sit for three days.  After three days, strain juice and return the juice to the crock.  Add 5 pounds of sugar (I usually use 4) and let sit.  The wine will bubble - skim it off every day or two.  When it has stopped bubbling, put it in jars.  (I use canning jars, but old mayo, peanut butter, or any other kind of jar will work.)  If some bubbles appear, loosen the lids for a few seconds to let the gas out.  Enjoy!

This summer I have been reading Evan Dawson"s book, Summer in a Glass, about Finger Lakes wines and the people who make them.  Each chapter is dedicated to a particular vineyard.  It is a fascinating look at winemaking as well as the personalities who have shaped the area.  Maybe I will be in his next book!