Gehringer Merlot Recipe
Merlot is one of the most affordable Okanagan Valley wines, with flavours of rich black cherry, plum, cassis, and subtle spice notes.
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Ingredients
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Wine Ingredients
Method
Wine Preparation
- 1
Harvesting Grapes
Harvest ripe Merlot grapes from the vineyard, ensuring they are free from blemishes or rot.
- 2
Crushing Grapes
Crush the grapes in a clean fermentation vessel to release the juice. Leave the skins for added flavor and color.
- 3
Adding Yeast
Dissolve the yeast in a small amount of water and add it to the crushed grapes. Stir gently.
- 4
Fermentation
Cover the fermentation vessel with a clean cloth and let it sit for 5-7 days at room temperature, stirring daily.
- 5
Pressing
After fermentation, press the mixture to separate the liquid from the solids. Collect the liquid in a clean container.
- 6
Adding Campden Tablets
Crush the Campden tablet and add it to the pressed wine to kill any remaining yeast and bacteria.
- 7
Secondary Fermentation
Transfer the wine to a secondary fermentation vessel, leaving some space at the top. Seal with an airlock.
- 8
Aging
Let the wine age for at least 6 months in a cool, dark place. Taste periodically to check for flavor development.
- 9
Bottling
Once the wine has aged to your liking, transfer it to clean bottles and seal with corks. Store in a cool place.





