Wine-making fermentation time

jenza8

Hi, I'm trying out making my own wine and began with just a kit which went very well. I'm now in the middle of making my own pear wine and it has fermented for 3 weeks but now seems to have stopped. Is this right? My last wine fermented fairly vigorously for about 2 weeks and then very slowly for about 8, this one has fermented fairly vigorously for about 3 weeks and then stopped with none of the slow fermentation that happened with my kit wine. I know different wines ferment for different periods but just wanted to check that this was ok. Thanks.

halloweenqueen_2

From what I can remember if you put some sugar in it and it bubbles again it needs a bit more sugar and more time. The best thing you can get is a hydrometer and test it that way - it really does help. If you can get the recipe for a wheat whisky, i may have one somewhere thats really good and has a lovely colour and blows the top of your head of if you drink to much! A really easy and my favourite is marigold made with dried marigold flowers, you can get them at places where they sell wine/beer making equipment.
Try checking boot fairs and freecycle for wine making equipment.

pol

It all depends on the temperature, amount of sugar and the fruit used. Some wines can be done in 3 weeks. Does the recipe give any indication of fermenting time? If you don't have a hydrometer, the best way is to taste it. If it tastes sweet, give it a stir about to get some air to the yeast, if not, it's used up all the sugar and is finished, so you can stop it.

pol

jenza8

Thank you halloweenqueen and Pol, I've tasted it and it isn't particularly sweet. I do have a hydrometer but no idea how to use it! The recipe doesn't give any indication of how long fermentation should take so I've decided to rack it and see what happens. Wheat wine does sound good. My next venture is going to be elderflower - my favourite!