Homemade Grape Wine (Kerala) | Pure Grape Wine~My Mom's Recipe (Christmas Delight)

Pure grape wine with a slice of plum cake is the remarkable delight of Kerala Christmas and I miss this so much from my mom.Every year she used to plan it well in advance and there are a variety of snacks ,cakes and wine.I still remember when we were at Bangalore,Dad used to buy baskets of black grapes from the nearby vineyard as it was very cheap out there and we used to enjoy walking in the vineyard and admire those hanging ones on the climbers.Lovely memories and when wine gets ready dad helping mom in straining and pouring it into bottles.We used to carry it to Kerala and gift our relatives too.Last year some how I couldn't preapre wine and the year before that I tried wine with pineapple and ginger too .That is also good will post sometime later as I don't have the clicks.But at the top I rate grape wine as the best among these.This is my second attempt with grape wine.

So,friends sharing this grape wine recipe with you all on Christmas week.I have not added a drop of water to this (strictly followed my mom's steps)and I have got 1.2 litres of wine.You will also surprise yourself looking at it .But this is true..Many recipes call for adding water..am not pretty sure of its long life,this is sure a keeper for years !!!

Ingredients
red /purple seedless or with seeds grapes 1kg (2lbs)
*sugar 3/4kg- 1kg
wheat kernels 1/2 cup
*egg 1 beaten (optional)
cloves 5-6
cinnamon 5-6 small sticks
jadipatri /mace 3-4 small pieces

Method

• Take an earthen ware preferably a bharani or a transparent glass jar with an air tight lid.Wash  the grapes after removing the stalks and under running water. Slightly crush the grapes with your hands just to open the tip.
• Put them into the cleaned jars with sugar(refer notes) and other ingredients alternating each layer. Close the lid not very tight and leave in a cool dark place. The jar can be just shaked without opening every 5th day so that the contents are mixed well. If you are using egg white, add this on the 15th day or so that it doesn't get over fermented. Open the lid on the 21st day and you see all grape skins float to the top with nothing inside.

Texture of grapes on 21st day

• Just drain the liquid part with out shaking the bottle much and strain it in a cheese cloth .Don't squeeze the strained contents. Pour it in clean dry bottles and leave undisturbed for another 20 days. Decant and pour the clear part of wine/decant  in clean dry bottles and preserve. Sweet intoxicating wine is ready to serve.

Servings 1.2 litres of wine without adding any water.

(PS: Please read through the comments section before attempting this recipe to get a fair idea )

NOTES
* Modify the amount of sugar according to the sweetness of grapes.The maximum sugar required is 1kg for 1kg sour grapes.Add only half the sugar in the beginning,gradually increase sugar until the 10th day and check sweetness if you are not sure of the sweetness.
* This wine can be stored in air tight containers for years together.
* If you are using wheat kernels,there is no need to add egg white (my mom never added)as it alone would taste great.Egg white also helps in clearing the wine.
* There should be enough space in the jar after putting the grapes and sugar,otherwise the wine may flow out during fermentation.
*Good quality glass jars are required otherwise it may burst in the process of fermentation.
*You can open the jar if you are not comfortable shaking it with lids closed but the flavors might be lost.
* If you don't get the bright color,you can caramalize but I haven't tried it yet.I usually get this color.Add about 3tsp of sugar in a wide pan and wait till it attains golden brown.Keep stirring slowly,not to burn your hands.Add 50ml water through the sides of the pan at the point where you want the caramelisation to stop and stir again.Put off flame,let it cool and add.
* Don't use the sedimented contents by squeezing ,the actual taste of wine will be lost.The sediments can be discarded.
* I have seen many recipes by adding boiled cooled water to it.If you wish that,you may even add 2 liters of boiled,cooled water to it.But I personally tried once,it gives a diluted wine taste.If you're adding water then increase the sugar content accordingly.
* If you feel on 21st day the grape skin don't float leave it again for another 10 days.As the cold climate,quality of grapes,quality of wheat kernels may also affect the maturity of wine.

Sending this to my event - Christmas Delicacy ,The Kerala Kitchen event hosted by Kaveri @ Palakkad chamayal