Old Homemade Wine Recipes
Wine can be traced as far back in history as the Neolithic age between 8500 and 4000 B.C. in Mesopotamia. Archeologists have found ancient jars and vats made from clay for producing and storing wine. The ancient Egyptians and the Greeks both cultivated vineyards to produce wine, and, winemaking soon began to flourish throughout Europe.Winemaking techniques improved over the years, but the recipes remained somewhat consistent. Many of the current home winemaking recipes are similar to those used hundreds, if not thousands of years ago. One such recipe is for a mulled wine called Hypocras. This blended wine dates back to the reign of King Edward III in the 14th century. Another ancient wine is called Mead. It is considered to be the oldest recorded fermented beverage dating back to as far as 500 A.D. Mead has been part of the tradition of many cultures including African, South American, Scandinavian, and of course English. It was said to be a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I. Both Hypocras and Mead can be made easily at home with a minimum of winemaking supplies. They are a welcome change from standard grape vintages.
Hypocras
1 bottle inexpensive Merlot wine
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon honey
3 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 nutmeg kernel
6 cardamom pods
3 whole cloves
Simmer wine on low heat in small saucepan. Stir in sugar and honey. Place cinnamon sticks, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves in a mesh bag and place in wine. Let simmer for 15 minutes until starting to steam. Do not let boil. Pour into mugs and serve hot.
Mead
1 gallon water
2 ½ lbs honey
Juice of 1 lemon
¾ teaspoon nutmeg
1 package Champagne yeast
Boil the water and honey in large pot. Add lemon juice and nutmeg, and bring to a boil. Skim foam off liquid and continue to boil until foam ceases to form. Let cool to just under 100 degrees, and add yeast. Pour into primary fermentation container, cover, and let rest for 3 weeks. Pour into bottles and let age for one month in a cool, dark location such as a refrigerator.
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