Saker Advantage

Can I age plum wine like other wines?

Can you age plum wine like other wines? The answer is: absolutely!

Plum wine, known as umeshu in Japan, is a popular sweet liqueur made with Japanese or Chinese plums and sugar. With its strong aroma and sweet flavor, it is popularly enjoyed both with food and alone. Its tartness also makes it a favorite kitchen ingredient as well as an after-dinner dessert.

Aging plum wine can bring out the flavors of the plums even more, resulting in an incredibly deep and complex taste. Aged plum wine often has a richer, smoky, and tannic flavor, with aromas of cinnamon, maple syrup, and caramel. With the right techniques and equipment, you can make a delicious aged plum wine right in your own home!

To begin with, you will need to choose a type of plum wine. Dried plums are a popular option, as the sweetness of the dried plum is amplified during the aging process. Not only are dried plums easier to find, but they also provide a more balanced flavor. Alternatively, fresh plums can also be used, though some prefer the more concentrated sweetness of the dried varieties.

Next, it’s time to age and ferment the plum wine. Try using a bottle-aged technique, using an airlock and aging in a warm, dark place. This will allow the alcohol to develop and concentrate, and the process will take weeks or months. As the plum wine ages, the flavors of the plums as well as the tannins and sugars will deepen and intensify. You’ll need to monitor the process throughout, and you may need to adjust the temperature or concentration of the wine as it ferments.

You may also want to fortify your plum wine by adding brandy or other spirits. This will help preserve the wine and prevent spoilage, though it will also make the final product much sweeter. Be aware, however, that fortifying your wine can also change the flavor, so it can be best to do a trial and error process and taste the results to determine your preferred sweetness.

Once your aging process is complete, you can consider adding spices for a more complex flavor. Cinnamon and nutmeg are common spices for plum wines, and you can play around with other varieties until you find the combination that best suits your taste.

To finish your plum wine, bottle it and store it in a cool and dark place. This will ensure your wine’s long-term storage, and you’ll be able to enjoy its delicious taste for years to come. Just remember to take precautions while bottling, allowing the bottles to come to room temperature before capping them to avoid potential explosions.

In the end, yes, it is entirely possible to age plum wine just like any other wine! With some time and patience, you can easily make a delicious, complex, and sweet aged plum wine at home. So grab your plums and start experimenting! Click here for more

How can I adjust the sweetness of my plum wine?

If you’ve been experimenting with homemade plum wine and find that it’s too sweet or not sweet enough, there are several ways to adjust the sweetness level of your finished product. With the right modifications, you can create the wine to perfection and customize it to your exact preferences.

One of the most effective ways to adjust the sweetness of your wine is to use potassium sorbate. Potassium sorbate is a chemical preservative that has a bitter taste. When added to wine, it reduces the sweetness slightly without affecting the flavor. Simply dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of potassium sorbate in 1/4 cup of boiling water and stir it into your finished wine. Then make sure to store the wine in a cool, dark place to maintain its quality.

Another option for adjusting the sweetness in plum wine is to make use of acidulated water. Acidulated water is a combination of water and acid. It’s commonly used to add a sour taste to sweet liquids, like soda or ice cream. To make your own acidulated water, stir 2 tablespoons of white vinegar or citrus juice (lemon or lime juice work best) into 1 liter of cold water. Then stir the acidulated water into your finished wine. This will help to reduce the overall sweetness.

You can also use potassium metabisulfite to reduce the sweetness in your plum wine. This is a chemical compound that inhibits yeast growth, which can help to reduce the overall sweetness of the wine. Simply dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of potassium metabisulfite in 1/4 cup of boiling water and stir it into your finished wine. Make sure to use it sparingly, as too much can give the wine a metallic taste.

If you find that your plum wine is not sweet enough, you can add some sugar or honey to the finished recipe. This will not only increase the sweetness, but also provide a fruity flavor to the finished product. You can also try adding some concentrated fruit juice to increase the sweetness of the wine.

Finally, make sure to age the wine for at least a couple of months before drinking. As the wine matures, the sugars and flavors will balance out and the sweetness level should be to your liking.

No matter which method you decide to use, keep in mind that adjusting the sweetness of your homemade plum wine is a matter of personal preference. It might take some trial and error to find the sweetness level that is perfect for your taste. Once you get it just right, you’ll be sure to enjoy your plum wine for years to come!

Visit howtomakewinefromgrapes.com to learn more about how to make plum wine. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.