Yesterday we all loaded up in the Jeep and went to find grapes. We have wild Mustang grapes that grow along the fences that make delicious jelly, jam, juice and homemade wine. As far back as I can remember late June and early July meant grape picking in the hot sun. We'd hop in someone's truck with a ladder and 5-gallon buckets and pick all the grapes we could find. My mom and Oma would can jelly and juice and my Opa would make wine. Believe it or not I had never even tasted my Opa's homemade wine until a couple of years ago.... it was some strong stuff!
Tim's cousin came out Saturday and picked grapes and left us a good amount and we added a bit from our trip. We found a recipe for making wine (very similar to my Opa's) and decided to give it a try. It warned that if we mashed the grapes with our feet or hands we'd get itchy, but we didn't think it'd be too bad. DON'T DO IT! Your feet/hands will feel terrible.
The kids had a great time (until their feet start itching- I still feel bad about that). I got in there, too. It was fun, but next time we'll definitely use the recommended method of smashing them with a wooden baseball bat.
The first step to making wine is done. It takes around 5 months from start to finish, so we are thinking it might make some fine Christmas gifts. Now we just need to come up with a good name and create some labels. (IF we can actually complete the whole process.)
That's awesome!
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