Question on the process itself

[WallyGator]

Hi guys!
I'm thoroughly enjoying all the info available here. In the course of my reading, I've come across several references to "speed runs" where instead of taking the time to ferment a mash or wash, you simply dump a cheap bag in a box of wine in a pot and let it go. Is this safe, and are there noticeable diminished returns to not just being patient? I must admit, the idea of getting some clearance wines , and adding some mashed peaches or nectar to it and getting something similar to peach brandy in short order is kind of intriguing....

[still_stirrin]

Hi guys!
I'm thoroughly enjoying all the info available here. In the course of my reading, I've come across several references to "speed runs" where instead of taking the time to ferment a mash or wash, you simply dump a cheap bag in a box of wine in a pot and let it go. Is this safe, and are there noticeable diminished returns to not just being patient? I must admit, the idea of getting some clearance wines , and adding some mashed peaches or nectar to it and getting something similar to peach brandy in short order is kind of intriguing....

Some here have used cheap wine or spirits for sacrificial cleaning runs. But I can't imagine buying a wine or spirit with the intention of distilling it for the product. It would be costly compared to fermenting your own. I guess if you've got more dollars than sense, it could be done. But it is somewhat counter to the hobby really.

YMMV.
ss

[Kareltje]

Then I would rather buy some finished distillate, in stead of a cheap wine and distill it.

[Pikey]

Give it a go - and report back

I'd use a white wine rather than red.

It should work - but as the others say - -----

Each of us makes his / her own path

SAFE ? - YES ? economic ? probably not - so what ?

[DAD300]

I've pot stilled cheap wines to make some fine sherry. Just remember how much cheap wine it takes to get anything back.

[The Baker]

I've pot stilled cheap wines to make some fine sherry. Just remember how much cheap wine it takes to get anything back.

Hi, DAD,
Could you walk us through your process of making sherry from cheap wine?
I like fortified wine and have at least a hundred bottles of white wine I got for maybe a dollar a bottle at a winery auction; it is maybe twelve years old.
And the bottles are nice clear glass that I will use for bottling from the still.

Thanks,

Geoff

[NZChris]

That's a pretty big spoon you're asking to get filled Wally.

[WallyGator]

Sorry NZ, wasn't my intention to cause any kind of ruckus or ask for a spoon feeding. I've got a neighbor that has 5-5 liter boxes of blush sitting in his garage that he says I can just have. It was left over from a party that never happened, and I've done him a few favors. Was just looking for a creative use, that's all.

[Saltbush Bill]

Wally there is a group of people here who like to discourage newbies from asking questions by giving smart arse replys. Pay them no heed.
For every one of them , there are many others who are quite happy to answer your questions.

[Still Life]

Hey if you've got that much 'free' wine give it a shot like you described.
Do an HD Google Search on "box wine" --lot of sacrificial run posts, but a few discuss otherwise.
Not a common practice because of the economics.

[NZChris]

Wally there is a group of people here who like to discourage newbies from asking questions by giving smart arse replys. Pay them no heed.
For every one of them , there are many others who are quite happy to answer your questions.

What is your answer to Wally's question, SB?

[DBCFlash]

I reckon the answer would be," put the wine in a still and run it."
Pretty simple stuff.

[The Baker]

A few years ago I used to deliver bread to a local supermarket.
I spotted a trolley nearly full of bag-in-a-box wine which was out of date or had damaged boxes.
Asked the owner and he gave me the lot.
I distilled it, worked fine.
What was amazing was the amount of sediment, I thought at the time, probably bentonite.

Geoff

[OtisT]

My first distillations were of muskat wine I made myself. Don't know why box wine would be any different than what I made. I did fraction these runs. Most of my wine ended up as clear ethanol for macerations and other liquors, and a few turned into some wonderful jars of brandy. I say run it and see what you get because you can't beat the cost.

[The Baker]

A few years ago I used to deliver bread to a local supermarket.
I spotted a trolley nearly full of bag-in-a-box wine which was out of date or had damaged boxes.
Asked the owner and he gave me the lot.
I distilled it, worked fine.
What was amazing was the amount of sediment, I thought at the time, probably bentonite.

Geoff

The sediment was there because the wine was mostly fairly old, I think.
If sold and drunk within a short time we would have drunk that sediment and not known it was there.
Geoff