An informative, fun guide to making your own wine

It's estimated that one million North Americans make their own wine. Relatively inexpensive to make (a homemade bottle costs from $2 to $4), a bottle with your own label (and grapes) is a fantasy even someone with modest aspirations can fulfill. Author Tim Patterson, an award-winning home winemaker, shows how it's possible for anyone to create a great wine. In Home Winemaking For Dummies, he discusses the art of winemaking from grape to bottle, including how to get the best grapes (and figure out how many you need); determine what equipment is required; select the right yeast and figure out if any other additives are needed; and store, age, and test wine. With detailed tips on creating many varieties -- from bold reds and demure whites to enchanting roses and delightful sparkling wines -- this guide is your ultimate winemaking resource.

About the Author

Tim Patterson writes about wine and makes some of his own in Berkeley, California. He contributes the monthly "Inquiring Winemaker" column for the industry trade magazine Wines & Vines, digging into winemaking theories and techniques, and he covered home winemaking for several years in the pages of WineMaker. He has won dozens of Gold medals, Double Golds, and Best of Shows from amateur winemaking competitions in California.

Reviews
"Tim Patterson is one of the best contemporary writers on wine in the United States. His easy-to-read, engaging prose transforms even the most complicated aspect of making wine and makes it comfortable and understandable. Reading Home Winemaking For Dummies -- like having Patterson by your side as a personal mentor-is the absolute best way to tackle the very satisfying process of making your own wine." --Karen MacNeil, Author, The Wine Bible "A thorough, practical, and entertaining guide, this text takes tips from the pros and brings common sense and approachability to the art of winemaking. Mr. Patterson's vast experience and contagious passion for the subject make Home Winemaking For Dummies an enjoyable read while the format makes it an excellent reference and allows the reader to delve as deep into the subject matter as he or she wishes. Whether problem-solving or pursuing stylistic ideals Mr. Patterson holds the reader's hand when needed but still encourages creativity within safe boundaries. From sourcing fruit to healthy fermentation habits straight through aging, bottling, and even enjoying home-made wine this guide has you covered at every step - I even learned a few things myself! This book would be a welcome addition to any wine enthusiast's library and is equally accessible to novice and connoisseur." --Ondine Chattan, Winemaker, Geyser Peak Winery "As a 20-year amateur winemaker with an addiction to winemaking books, I now have a new 'go-to' book for my first reference! After the excellently accurate coverage of basic winemaking, Tim's tome takes the wonderful turn of emphasizing the subtle, and not-so subtle, differences that make the distinctions between the popular varietals - all in one place! Home Winemaking For Dummies is now prominently on my shelf in front of all the textbooks!" --Dave Lustig, President, Cellarmasters Home Wine Club Los Angeles "Tim Patterson is able to express his knowledge and passion of winemaking in a vey understandable, humorous, and practical way. If you follow the advice in this book, you will be able to produce wine that will likely be better than inexpensive commercial wine, and could be as good as any wine ever made. I applaud Tim's effort and wish this book was around when I started making wine." --Kent Rosenblum, Consultant Winemaker, Rosenblum Cellars, and former home winemaker



Book Information
ISBN 9780470678954
Author Tim Patterson
Format Paperback
Page Count 384
Imprint For Dummies
Publisher John Wiley & Sons Inc
Weight(grams) 544g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 188mm * 28mm