A high volume of grapes must be used to make wine.
The ingredient list for Concord grape wine, as with other types of wine, is very small and simple. Two ingredients, Concord grapes and yeast, are essential for making Concord wine. A third optional ingredient, sugar, is used to change the taste and the alcohol content of the finished wine. The grapes that are used in Concord grape wine must also be freshly harvested and free of bugs and rot.
Concord Grapes
The Concord grape is quite different from the grapes used in traditional wines such as Merlot and Chardonnay. Concord grapes are native to America and are usually used to make grape juice and grape jelly. Although they are not typically used in wine, they work just as well as any other grape. During the wine making process, Concord grapes are crushed and fermented either with or without their skins, depending on the style of wine desired. Concord grapes can be grown in a backyard garden or purchased in bulk from retailers.
Wine Yeast
Yeast is an ingredient added to Concord grape wine to create alcohol. It is important to use yeast that is specific to winemaking applications. Yeast creates alcohol by consuming the sugars that are present in the grape juice and converting it to carbon dioxide and alcohol. The carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere while the alcohol remains in the wine. Wine yeast is commonly available through winemaking supply stores.
Sugar
The addition of sugar is an optional ingredient in making Concord grape wine. If added during the fermentation process, sugar can increase the overall alcohol content in wine. When added after the fermentation process, sugar can increase the sweetness of the wine. Plain, regular sugar that can be bought from any grocery store is the sugar of choice for winemakers.
Tags: Concord grape, Concord grape wine, Concord grapes, grape wine, alcohol content, carbon dioxide, fermentation process