Grains in wine

[mshergold]

I've got a couple of Berry's wine making books and some of the recipes call for barley or malt etc. However, it doesn't say whether these grains should be crushed. Can anyone enlighten me? Also, if a recipe for a wine calls for barley, can it be pearl barley?

[Tequilla6]

An interesting question and one that has alerted me to the fact against my desire to put things into nice neat boxes i have done so. My initial reaction was that Beer & Spirits was made from Grain and starch-based materials and wine was made from the juice of a fruit technically. But I suppose Sake or Rice wine is made from starch, so is it more about the alcohol content of a drink

But to you question, I suppose it depends on whether the addition of the grain is for colour/flavour or if he uses it as a source of sugar within the brew. A recipe may help identify his thoughts more clearly. However from what I recall there are many threads on this site discussion the thoughts of Mr Berry and his book, which may give you a better insight than I can

Cheers

[arturobandini]

Post the recipe here and it will be easier to give you a better answer. The dangerous truth about Berry is that he thought he knew how to brew Beer but he treats it like a country wine. If you try and brew any of his so called "Beer" recipes be prepared for some shocking results. I don't trust his wine making either and I think it's a crime his books are still in print when their are other wine making writers infinitely more wise.

[Duffbeer]

Post the recipe here and it will be easier to give you a better answer. The dangerous truth about Berry is that he thought he knew how to brew Beer but he treats it like a country wine. If you try and brew any of his so called "Beer" recipes be prepared for some shocking results. I don't trust his wine making either and I think it's a crime his books are still in print when their are other wine making writers infinitely more wise.

Absolutely agree 100% with the above, his books should be removed from the market. C.J.J.Berry is the reason many wine makers quit the hobby, his recipes are absolutely shocking.
Unfortunately it's the best selling HB book on the market and HB suppliers still push it as the HB bible

[Tequilla6]

So much for me trying to be diplomatic.

Think you now have the answer to your question by other comments that were much bolder in their approach to the Berry question.

[arturobandini]

Think you now have the answer to your question by other comments that were much bolder in their approach to the Berry question.

Can't afford to beat around the bush where Berry is concerned...unless he's in the bush...then beat the bush as hard as you can.