Making Homemade Clementine Wine
If you smell an aromatic, sweet fragrance emanating from the produce department at your local grocery store, you might be enjoying the heady aroma of the Clementine. A type of orange, the history of the Clementine is actually quite mysterious. Some believe that the Clementine was developed by an Algerian monk named Clement who crossed a Mandarin with a Valencia orange. Others believe that the Clementine was developed in Asia over a thousand years ago and brought to Europe much later. Farmers in Spain recognized that Clementines were ideal for growing in the Mediterranean climate and have grown them commercially since 1925. Clementines are still primarily grown in Spain. However, they have been successfully grown in the United States since the early 1980's.
Clementines, like oranges, can be used to create wonderful wines that are tangy and refreshing. The key to making this wine is to use a combination of Valencia oranges with the Clementines to balance the flavor.
Homemade Clementine Wine
1 gallon water
24 Clementines
10 Valencia oranges
1 lb extra fine granulated sugar
1 teaspoon citric acid
1 teaspoon pectic enzyme
¼ teaspoon tannin
1 teaspoon yeast nutrient
1 package Champagne wine yeast
Mix sugar and water in large pot. Bring to boil. Peel all Clementines and Valencias and save the zest from 10 of the Clementines. Section the fruit and remove any pith. Place zest and sections in a nylon mesh straining bag. Close bag with a tie and mash fruit in a primary fermentation container. Pour boiling sugar water over fruit and stir. Let liquid cool until room temperature. Add citric acid, pectic enzyme, tannin, and yeast nutrient to container. Cover and let sit for 12 hours. Remove cover, add activated Champagne wine yeast, and cover again. Stir daily for 10 days. Remove bag from container and pour liquid into secondary fermentation container. Seal with airtight lock lid and ferment. Skim froth, as necessary. When froth ceases to form, rack and place into bottles. Rack again every two months for one year. Age an additional year before enjoying.
 |
If you are serious about making homemade wine, check out this book. It has tons of
homemade wine recipes and advice. It is also a great value and even includes some free bonuses.
|
