North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Richard MURPHY <murphman108@msn.com>]

Hello Vintners;
 
When you make wine, especially fruit wine, it is important to preserve the 
character of the fruit it's made with. Mulberries have some sugar, but are 
fairly bland. Some of the (malic) acid will be consumed during fermentation.
 
Typically, it takes about 3 to 4 lbs. of fruit to make a decent gallon of 
wine; unless it's lemon or some other LOUD fruit.
The fruit is crushed. A blender is OK. Pectic Enzyme is added, and 1 Campden 
tablet, and this whole mess is allowed to sit overnight covered in the 
fridge. 24 hrs. is better.  THen, in most cases, the juice is squeezed from 
the pulp, which is discarded.
Then, apple juice or water is added to make one gallon total.
Now, the juice is checked for Specific Gravity (sugar content) using a 
hydrometer. Sugar is added until the right gravity is reached.
Then, acid is checked. I actually check pH, not acid, using the wine pH test 
strips: 2.8 to 4.2 pH.
Shoot for 3.4 or 3.6, by adding acid blend or malic acid. Citric is not 
advised for this.
Good sugar, good acid, Campden & Pectic Enzyme already aboard; time for the 
primary ferment.
Innoculate and get ready!
 
PS    Don't be a hero. Use the Campden tablet!!
 
Murph