Grape Wine

Charlotte J's Note:

August Lueders and Sons owned and operated a vineyard and winery in Frohna, established in 1868. Although Martha, Concord, Seedling, and Niagara grapes were grown, their famous product was "Martha Wine" and they had a customer list not only in Missouri but in many other states as well. The grapes were processed and the wine aged in 360 gallon wooden barrels called "hogsheads" in the basement under the large general store owned by Mr. Lueders. When sold, the wine was bottled in 5 gallon , jugs or in smaller sized long, narrow, dark glass bottles. When the Volstead Act was passed in 1918 the government permitted Mr. Lueders to sell his remaining supply for Communion purposes only. Here is the original recipe for this famous wine. Recipe from August Laueders from the cookbook "Heritage of Cooking" A Collection of Recipes from East Perry County, Missouri.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 5 gallons ...

• grapes (enough to drain off 5 quarts)
• 10 lbs sugar
• water

Directions:

1. Mash grapes and let ferment 3 to 5 days.
2. Draw off 5 quarts of juice.
3. Dissolve sugar in hot water.
4. Pour all into a 5 gallon jug container.
5. Add water to fill jug to top.
6. Cover jug opening with a small sandsack for 3 to 4 months.
7. Draw off and rejug and seal jug with a tight-fitting cork or other kind of stopper.