Red and white wines for Christmas

The warmth and joy of the Christmas season is celebrated by toasting wines that are traditionally prepared in the households. It is said that the wine that is aged tastes amazing and has better quality too. The oldest wine in the world was discovered from the Henan province in China, which the archaeologists assume to be at least 2,000 years old. The alcoholic liquid was found safely sealed in a bronze pot that was uncovered from an ancient tomb. The researchers say that this liquid has a smell that is similar to the traditional Chinese wine.

Grape wines have always been unavoidable part of the Christmas celebrations in Kerala. High quality black grapes are used for this special wine that is usually prepared at least a month ago. Check out the pretty simple recipes of red and white wines that would add lots of joyous 'spirit' to your Christmas festivities.

1. Red wine

Ingredients

2 kg black grapes with seeds

2 kg sugar

3 litres boiled and cooled water

12 cardamom pods

5 cinnamon sticks

10 cloves

Handful of washed and dried wheat grains

Small piece beetroot

Preparation

Wash the grapes well

Add these grapes and sugar in a dry earthen jar (preferably a bharani) in layers

Into it, add crushed cardamom, cloves and cinnamon

Now add crushed beetroot and wheat as well

Mix well

Pour three litres of water

Seal the mouth of the jar with a clean piece of cloth

On alternate days, open the jar and stir well using a wooden ladle

After 25 days, squeeze the grapes and pass the wine through a strainer

Store this wine in glass bottles or the same jar

It would be better if this wine is kept untouched for at least 30 days.

2. White wine

Ingredients

2 ½ kg green grapes (sweet ones)

1 ½ kg sugar

1 liter boiled and cooled water

½ tsp peptic enzyme

½ tsp yeast

Preparation

Wash the green grapes well in salted water and drain it

Separate the grapes from the stem and crush them lightly

Mix the peptic enzyme and keep them sealed inside an earthen jar for a night

The next day, crush these grapes nicely using your hands and squeeze out the juice

Pass it through a strainer to separate the seeds and skin

In a small bowl, mix the yeast and sugar with warm water. Keep it aside for 10 minutes for it to foam and rise nicely

Add the yeast into the earthen jar with the grape juice

Now add rest of the water and sugar

Give it a good mix and seal the mouth of the jar not too tightly

Every day, open the jar on a particular time and stir using a wooden ladle

After 25 days pass the wine through a strainer and store in glass bottles

Keep this wine untouched for two more weeks for better taste and quality

Notes
The water should be at least 6 inches below the neck of the jar. The red wine would get good color if caramelized sugar is added. Seal the mouth of the jar, a bit loosely, using a clean piece of cloth.