Sometime ago, I was asked about the “easiest” way to make wine. A question that is not necessarily easy to answer, depending on what one means by “easy.” But let’s assume the person also wants something that is going to be drinkable and enjoyable. The “winemaking for dummies” version of winemaking.

For centuries, wine was made by simply leaving out juice and hoping wild yeast would inoculate the juice. And by all means, you could do that today as well. I’ve heard of people leaving out a mixture of pressed/crushed raspberries, water and sugar – and there’s a good chance that will ferment. Who knows what you’ll end up with though? It could very well be wine, but I wouldn’t recommend that method if you’re hoping for something good.

So, if you really are looking for the “winemaking for dummies” seriously consider a wine kit. The less expensive ones can be had for less than 50.00 which will make net you 30 standard 750 ml bottles of wine. You don’t even have to make it at home. Many wine supply stores also have an area where you can “make” your wine on their premises. In Ontario, there is one legal requirement: You must sprinkle the yeast on the juice. Almost all the other work is done for you, (for a small additional fee) including the mixing of the concentrate with water, the addition of fining and preserving agents, and the racking.

You’ll have to come back on the day the wine is ready to be bottled to help with that part, most likely.

So, if you really want the winemaking for dummies version, visit your local winemaking at the premises shop. You won’t learn a lot if all you ever do is make wine from kits, and especially if it’s all done on the premises of the shop that you purchased your kit – but you’ll likely have better wine than leaving out raspberry juice for wild yeast.