so next fall i’m going to have access to quite a few fruit trees i just discovered on some family property, namely plum, pear, and apple. the apples and pears will most likely get made into cider, but i’m thinking about making wine out of the plums.
so my question is: what’s the best book on making wine for a simple extract beer brewer?
Jack Keller’s web site has a load of great info as well as some book recommendations.
For cider, Ben Watson’s book is my favorite because he addresses more of the desert varieties that we are usually all we have to work with here.
http://www.amazon.com/Cider-Hard-Sweet-History-Traditions/dp/0881508195
Annie Proulx’s cider book is great too, though she’s a bit snobbish about apple varieties.
http://www.amazon.com/Cider-Making-Using-Enjoying-Sweet/dp/1580175201
The sanitation principles of brewing are very applicable. Some other techniques not so much (you don’t need to boil everything). To make wine from fresh fruit you need to learn to check and adjust acidity and about sulfiting.
i have annie proulx’s book, and have made several batches of cider. mainly i’m looking for recommendations for good wine books people have used.