Homemade Liqueur

So last night as Mr. Potter and I were partaking in “the drink of the gods” aka B&B Liqueur, we wondered what it would take to make our own version of B&B.  You may know that B&B Liqueur is a combination of Benedictine Liqueur and brandy.  There are several sites that explain the basics of making you’re own liqueur nectar.  I’m curious if anybody has tried making the original recipe in the below link.  Per the author, John Killmister, the recipe was unearthed from an ancient book of pharmaceutical formulae from England.

http://www.guntheranderson.com/liqueurs/benedict.htm

Benedictine Essence

• Cardamom seeds, myrrh, & mace, of each 15 gr.
• Galangal root, ginger, & orange peel, of each 2.5 dr.
• Extract of aloes 1 dr.
• Alcohol (90%) 6 oz.
• Water 2.5 oz.

Macerate for a week, press, & filter. To the filtrate add-

• Caramel 10 dr.
• Spirit of nitrous ether 8 oz.
• Solution of ammonia 15 minim
• Vanillin sugar 15 gr.
• Liquorice juice 5 dr.
• Acetic ether 1 oz.
• Coumarin 1.5 gr.
• Oils of lemon & bitter orange, of each 1 dr.
• Oil of anise 15 drops
• Oil of bitter almond 12 drops
• Oil of sassafras 7 drops
• Oil of hyssop 4 drops
• Oils of hops & cardamom, of each 2 drops
• Oil of galangal 0.5 dr.
• Oil of wormwood 40 drops
• Oils of ginger & cascarilla, of each 15 drops
• Oil of millefoil 10 drops
• Oil of angelica 6 drops
• Oils of juniper & rosemary, of each 1 drop

Bring up the volume to 17.5 oz. by the addition of alcohol (90%). The essence should be matured for 2 years before being used for the following:-

Liqueur

• Benedictine essence 1 oz.
• Alcohol (90%) 24 oz.
• Sugar 22 oz.
• Water 20 oz.

Dissolve the sugar in the water, & to the syrup add the essence, previously mixed with the spirit.

Conversions.

• 1 oz. = 28.35 grams.
• 1 drachm = 3.88 grams.
• 1 grain = .065 grams.
• 1 minim = .059 c.c.

Units of measurement (unless stated otherwise)
1 cup = 8 ounces = 236ml	1 quart = 32 ounces = 944ml
1 tbsp (tablespoon) = 1/2 ounce = 15ml	1 fifth = 25.6 ounces = 750ml
1 tsp (teaspoon) = 1/6 ounce = 5ml	1 pint = 16 ounces = 472ml

Texas Wine Grape Guide – Texas Dept of Ag

This is an amazing PDF: Texas Wine Grape Guide – Tx Dept of Ag.  Thanks to the Tx Dept of Ag.

The past two decades have been a time of incredible growth for the Texas wine industry. Wine produc- tion in the state surged from 14,000 gallons in 1979 to a high of 1.6 million gallons in 1997. Texas wineries – now numbering 40 and counting – expect to hit a new record early this century by produc- ing 2 million gallons of wine.

Overall, Texans consume nearly 37 million gallons of wine a year – leaving plenty of room for Texas wineries to produce an increasing share. And we know that given the choice, Texans would prefer to buy a product made and grown in Texas. With a focus on increasing awareness and sales of Texas wines and continually improving the state’s reputation for quality, we can look forward to seeing the Texas wine industry grow and flourish. And that could mean opportunities for Texas producers interest- ed in diversifying into new crops such as grapes.

The past two decades have been a time of incredible growth for the Texas wine industry. Wine produc- tion in the state surged from 14,000 gallons in 1979 to a high of 1.6 million gallons in 1997. Texas wineries – now numbering 40 and counting – expect to hit a new record early this century by produc- ing 2 million gallons of wine.
Overall, Texans consume nearly 37 million gallons of wine a year – leaving plenty of room for Texas wineries to produce an increasing share. And we know that given the choice, Texans would prefer to buy a product made and grown in Texas. With a focus on increasing awareness and sales of Texas wines and continually improving the state’s reputation for quality, we can look forward to seeing the Texas wine industry grow and flourish. And that could mean opportunities for Texas producers interest- ed in diversifying into new crops such as grapes.

P.O. Box 12847 • Austin, Texas 78711 • Toll Free: 1.877.99GOTEX Fax: 512.463.7843 • http://www.GOTEXAN.org

How to Make Cheap Wine

~~~ Here’s a step-by-step overview of how to make cheap wine.  Please note, this is not the process Dave and I use.  However, it appears to be a good example if you want to try it yourself. ~~~

Article from Homemade wine

Wanting to learn to make wine?  Your best place to start is on the internet.  You can search all day and find articles and never get anywhere.  Keep checking back here for new links and links to other blog sites that can give you some in site and direction in your new hobby. Check out this article  http://homemadewine.com/winemaking-tips/how-to-make-wine-from-grocery-store-items/

Our Chardonnay was a Success!

Well, tonight we had our grand tasting of our Chardonnay-style table wine. As we were making this wine we sampled a little bit at a time just about each step of the way. As we have learned with the help of other wine makers tasting the wine you make along the way gives you a better understanding of the wine making process. The pungent aromas and flavors progressed evenly from the earthy mineral infant stage to the crisp and clean finish when we bottled.

The day we bottled, we chilled a bottle via the express freezer and toasted to the fruits of our labors. Well, ‘fruits’ isn’t quite accurate, but it was definitely palatable. Suffice it to say, it was not exciting in taste but drinkable none the less. The rest of the 24 bottles were stored in the cool kitchen cupboard on their side within wine carrying boxes and no light interaction.

Amazingly, the difference between the two bottles 1) aged in a wine fridge and 2) aged in the cupboard makes a big difference. Bottle 1 had a light acidic and tart taste with a mix of sour green and crisp apples. Bottle 2 lost the acidic and tart taste and the green apple mellowed tremendously. A surprise was the added flavor of pears. The finish began crisp and smooth but ended with clean apple, pear and butter flavor.

The comments around the room ranged from “nice aroma” to “surprisinglygreat taste”. Amongst the family members who sampled our creation, there was a wide range of wine tasking expertise. We therefore hope venture into the next stage of our wine making saga – Two Guys and a Barrel (A Little-Bit of Damn-It in Every Bottle)!