“Christmas time, mistletoe and wine
Children singing Christian rhyme
With logs on the fire and gifts on the tree
A time to rejoice in the good that we see….”

 

(A popular Christmas song, sung by Cliff Richards)

 

Christmas and wines are synonymous. Although in Kerala, you might not sight a Mistletoe commonly, Christmas has its unique flavour with a glass of Kerala Wine and whiling away time amidst the groves of palms and coconut trees.

Kerala Wines mainly made from sweet black grapes or pinkish-red grapes tastes sweet with a subtle pungency which gives a high only after you have gulped down quite a few pegs.  It is very easy to make the Kerala style wine at home if you follow the recipe given below. The measurements given here will make about 4 litres of wine.

Ingredients:

Pinkish red grapesPic Courtesy: Pinterest

  • Pinkish Red Grapes – 1.5 Kgs
  • Sugar – 1.5 Kgs
  • Cinnamon Stick – 2
  • Cloves – 4
  • Active Dry Yeast – 15 gms
  • Whole wheat grains – 50 gms
  • Water – 2.6 litres
  • Egg White – The white portion of 1 egg

Preparation:

  • At first, boil the water for 5 minutes and let it cool. Keep the utensil closed to keep it sterile.
  • Take a big ceramic jar which would be large enough to hold all the winemaking ingredients and also have some room in it after adding the ingredients. Sterilize it.
  • Remove the stem of the grapes and wash them thoroughly. Drain off the excess water from the grapes.
  • Rinse the wheat grains thoroughly and dry them.
  • Rupture the grapes with a wooden masher.
  • Add the ruptured grapes and cooled water in the jar.
  • Prepare the yeast by taking 100 ml lukewarm water, 2 tsp of sugar and mixing the dry yeast with them.
  • Pour the yeast inside the jar.
  • Add the wheat grains.
  • Add half portion of the sugar in the jar.
  • Put in the cinnamon sticks and cloves.
  • Close the jar and keep it fully airtight.
  • For the next 3 weeks, take out the jar daily after the 5th day, and stir in the ingredients in it gently. Close back the lid and keep airtight.
  • After the 15th day, pour in the egg white into the jar. Mix the ingredients well in the jar.
  • Filter the brewing mixture using a strainer and gloved as well as clean hands.
  • Add in the remaining half portion of the sugar.
  • Add some brandy if you want to get more tipsy.
  • Stir in gently. Store the filtered brew in the airtight jar and cool, dark place for another 3 weeks.
  • Open the jar. You will find the liquid, clear wine just on top of the brewed sediments. Scoop it up carefully with a spoon or by syphoning.
  • Keep on doing the process gradually while making it sure to keep the jar airtight after extracting the wine.

Enjoy Your Wine

Pouring wine into glassImage Source

Now, hold the wine glass correctly, stir it lightly, let the wine breathe and hold inside your mouth for a second before gulping it down. Raise a toast to the happy times. Cheers!!

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