A mouthful of strawberry wine is the taste of all the best that summer is. Sweet and fruity, this delicious wine has been linked to the same significant health-giving properties that red wine and elderberry wine provides. Even better, it’s easy to find really great strawberry wine – and just as easy to make it in your own kitchen.
People from every era of history, and every part of the world, have fermented strawberries. Generally speaking, the true strawberry wine lovers are:
a. Very fun loving.
b. Romantics.
c. Just a bit tipsy (joking, of course).
Purchased or home-made, strawberry wine makes a wonderful gift. In this brief guide, we’re going to look at some of the very best strawberry wines, and learn how to easily make our own.
Strawberry Wine Today
While strawberries (and various other fruits, for that matter) have been fermented for years unknown, today’s strawberry wine has its own little creation story surrounding it.
Two Australians traveled to France years ago, to see how Burgundy was made. The Burgundians were, understandably, very tight-lipped about their methods. At one winery, the Aussie “spies” noticed that some of the barrels were being used to ferment batches of strawberry wine.
They asked the vigneron if he would be using the barrels for wine again. “Certainement!” the vigneron replied. The Aussies then asked, “They’ll need a thorough cleaning though?” The vigneron was quite irked by the very thought, and replied with a nod and a wink, “Ze pinot noir, she likes a hint of strawberry.”
Some time later, the men returned to Australia and the purchased several truckloads of strawberries. A new style of Australian pinot was born, and awarded several trophies.
Buy Strawberry Wine
By far, the most highly recommended strawberry wine comes from the Baldwin winery. If you’re ever in the area, a stop at their winery will yield a true wine-tasting experience. While Baldwin is most well-known for their strawberry wine, they create many varieties of wine and are more than happy to let you sample the variety out of a rustic barn. They recommend topping ice cream with this wine.
Now, to the list; the wines have been listed in alphabetical order.
Baldwin Strawberry Wine
This wine was voted the Best Fruit Wine by the NY Wine & Food Classic. Made 100% from fresh strawberries, this “One of the best 100 Wines” makes a refreshing, fun dessert wine.
Brotherhood May Wine
A very light tasting white wine, it gets its summery taste from the strawberry juice and woodruff that are blended into the base. Definitely a favorite, as it does not yield such a sweet taste as the Baldwin wine.
Earl Estate Strawberry Shadows
Another award winning wine (Gold at Great Lakes Wine Competion, Gold at NY Wine & Food Classic, and Silver at the 1997 World Wine Championships), this one is very full-bodied with a lovely, warm after-taste. Created from strawberries, with honey to taste, this wine is perfect for dessert or on its own.
Four Chimneys Strawberry Meadows
On the least expensive side of the wine list, this one definitely should not be overlooked. It has a refreshing, sweet fruit flavor that is just bursting with real strawberry character. The berries used in this wine are organically grown. Just take a sip, and you’ll be in love.
Goose Watch Strawberry Splendor
Also on the least expensive end of the list, this strawberry wine has a very fresh taste that can be enjoyed any time. Created from grape wine that is sweetened with pure strawberry juice, this wine is a bit more fruity than some people can enjoy, but it makes a lovely dessert wine.
Merritt Estate – Marechal Foch – Winemasters Choice
A dry, medium-bodied wine aged in oak, this one should definitely be stored away from strong light and at a cool, even temperature. Easy on the wallet, this wine with its hints of strawberry flavor cloaked in the dry taste of the wine creates a beverage that seems like it should be priced much more highly. A favorite of wine lovers who enjoy the strawberry taste but not the traditional sweetness.
Make Your Strawberry Wine
If you’ve got the time to wait (about a year to age), strawberry wine is one of the easiest alcohol beverages to make in your own kitchen. Plan in advance, get your strawberries, and get to cooking.
INGREDIENTS:
7 pounds whole fresh strawberries, (fresh picked, if possible), washed and hulled
2 gallons boiling water
Juice of 1 lemon
5 pounds sugar
PREPARATION:
In a large earthenware crock, mash the strawberries. Cover with boiling water, add lemon juice, and quickly stir for about two minutes. Cover with a clean linen cloth.
Let rest in a cool, dark place, stirring daily for one week.
After one week, strain the mixture through a double-layer of cheesecloth into a large, clean bowl, discarding strawberry pulp. Combine strawberry liquid with the sugar, stirring to dissolve sugar. Pour into cleaned crock and let stand another week, stirring daily.
After the second week, pour the strawberry liquid into 1-gallon glass wine bottles and cork loosely. (May use fermentation locks, if you have them.) Let rest in a cool, dark place for 3 months. When wine is clear and no longer fermenting (bubbling), pour into individual bottles, cork, and age at least 1 year before drinking this delicious strawberry wine.
Yield: Approximately 2-1/2 gallons or 40 servings
Reference:
- The Strawberry Wine email List: lists.topica.com/lists/strawberrywine/?cid=655
