Createing Your Own Wine Is Easier Than You Think

When it comes to America’s love affair with wine…the
official beverage of romance….the State of the Union is
STRONG! And not just from the standpoint of consuming
the liquid of the gods: Winemaking in the USA is truly
a “growth industry,” even in the face of the deepest
recession, since the Great Depression. In fact, now more
than ever, you don’t have to be rich to switch….to a
pastime or career of bottling your own. No champagne
budget required, if you choose to become a purveyor of
pinot.

The numbers tell the story. And they are impressive
numbers, indeed…as well as in seed. Believe it or
not, while housing and small business were tanking,
America’s affinity for wine was growing, despite the
recession. According to the Wine Institute, the overall
US wine market grew 2 percent in 2010. Nearly 330
million cases are devoured per year here, albeit that many
consumers switched to cheaper wines. In the words of
John Gillespie, head of the Wine Market Council, based in
Napa Valley, “We’ve just completed 17 straight years of
growth in consumption of table wine in the United States,
which is really an incredible record.” His assessment is not
an exaggeration: America has more than a million acres
under vino cultivation, and for the first time ever, overall
US wine sales have topped the wine-loving French. That’s
big news for vintners — on both sides of the Pond.

Which brings us back to the idea that you or I would not

be pipe-dreaming, if we dared to dream…of making our
own. Let’s take a look at California, by far the country’s
leading wine-making state. More than three fourth’s of
California’s 2-thousand wineries are small, mom-and-pop
outfits. The bounty of these boutiques goes largely to local
markets and private customer lists. So, even if your last
name isn’t Gallo or Mondavi, YOU, too can be a player in
this beloved industry.

But…where do you turn to get your turn at becoming the
next 2-Buck Chuck? You can start by Googling “DIY” as
in do-it yourself, followed by wine. You’ll immediately
pull up more than 20-MILLION leads….everything from
hundred-dollar home-brew starter kits, to blogs detailing
how to make-your-own. There’s even a site based in
California’s Napa valley called Crushpad, dedicated to
helping you create your own boutique wine, from grape
to bottle. Crushpad promises, “Even if you’re new to
winemaking, and lead a busy lifestyle, you can still make
your own wine, your way.” The idea is, you choose your
own level of involvement, and let them take it from there.
You select the grapes….from California’s wine country or
the French vineyards of Bordeaux…and Crushpad custom-
makes batches in small lots. For a fraction of what you’d
pay for a new set of wheels, you get 25 cases of your own
boutique wine. So, whether you are a wine enthusiast,
retailer, or run a restaurant, a modest investment can launch
your very own label. Now, that’s a flavor you might just
savor!