Can fleischmann's rapid rise yeast be used for home wine making?

Answer 1

Yes, it most certainly can. I have successfully made several gallons of wine using Fleischmann's Instant Dry Yeast. This has worked out well because I can buy 2 1Lb. packages for less than $5 at Sam's Club (you can also use rapid rise, but it cost a whole lot more in those small packages), 1 Gallon of 100% Concord Grape Juice at Wal-Mart for less than $5 and makes a decent table wine (April 08). Recipe To make a semi sweet wine: Take 1 gal 100% grape juice (other juices will work equally well, but sugar amounts calculated on grape juice), Pour off 1 cup to make room for sugar, Add 3/4 cups of sugar to juice, shake well to dissolve all sugar. Add 1/2 teaspoon Yeast into container, allowing yeast to float on surface for 15 minutes to hydrate. Shake juice to mix in yeast. Loosen the lid so that it is just starting to seal, must allow carbon dioxide to escape, but not let in air. Set container in cool place (59-77 degrees f) for 3 or 4 days. Next add 1 level cup of sugar to wine. Be careful as wine may foam up from carbonation, you may need to pour some in a separate container temporarily, and then pour back. Replace in cool place. When all bubbling has stopped (7 days to 6weeks) you have approximately %12.5 alcohol content wine (25 proof). Pour (decant) the liquid to another container carefully to avoid disturbing the yeast in the bottom. Discard yeast and small amount of wine that remains. Allow particles (if any) to settle in new container for several hours and repeat decant process if wine is not clear enough for you. Drink responsibly and in moderation, this wine has a kick! A glass a day is healthy, more may not be. PS:If this is too strong a tasting wine you can cut the grape juice in half (half gallon each of grape juice and water). Follow the same directions only add 2 ¼ cups sugar before adding yeast, all other quantities remain the same and cuts your cost in half and still produces a great wine! For the adventuresome you can add small amounts of spices, herbs or even sterilized oak chips, (in a small mesh bag for easy removal), to create different flavors. If you like a dryer wine (less sweet) reduce the second sugar amount added by 1/4 cup increments, experiment and have fun!

Answer 2

Yes.

Fleischmann's is considered a bread yeast. Most wine makers prefer a "wine yeast," but any yeast will work. The fungus converts sugar to alcohol and gasses like carbon dioxide. Just make sure you let those gasses escape, and don't let oxygen in.

Answer 3

yes it can i have used it plenty of times to make cranberry wine, strwberry wine etc, jus research how much you use depending on the volume of the juice.