How We Made Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Wine - A Change in Thinking?

Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Wine! and did we make a change to some of our ideas? We've always strived to keep things simple around here and this is no different. Think evolution, not revolution. Not a game changing decision but not one we came to lightly either! Watch the video to see what we did and why in this dark chocolate pomegranate wine!
Ingredients:
1 Gallon Knudsen's Pomegranate Juice: amzn.to/3bFjBEr
1 Packet Red Star Premier Classique Yeast: amzn.to/3zA0DqZ
1/2 lb White Sugar
2 grams Fermaid O: amzn.to/3QrJ9E0
Additions:
1/4 Cup Crio Bru: amzn.to/3d1cOFs
1/4 Pint Extract (homemade with Vodka and Crio Bru)
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract: amzn.to/3QrLdM2
1/2 teaspoon Gelatin mixed in 1/4 Cup Water: amzn.to/3vKKaiv
After aged one year, how does it taste? • Let's DRINK! Dark Cho...
How to Sanitize Homebrew Wine, Cider, Mead and Beer - Star San: • How to use Star San to...
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Star San: amzn.to/3Jzgg6C
Little Big Mouth Bubbler: www.northernbr...
syringe: amzn.to/3d1vftG
graduated cylinder: amzn.to/3BNQc5C
Hydrometer: amzn.to/3QgZqvo
Scale: amzn.to/3Q7eMmx
Silicone Spoon: amzn.to/3A4iJmv
Belgian Tasting Glasses: amzn.to/3bFv9ry
1 Gallon Carboy with Airlock: amzn.to/3PaKJsB
Auto Siphon: amzn.to/3Q26dcy
Brew Bag: amzn.to/3BN8OCL
Our Favorite Pitcher: amzn.to/3JDb2Xn
1 Gallon Large Mouth Fermenter: amzn.to/3bESjyb
Feeding Tube Brushes: amzn.to/3bBencV
Glencairn Glasses: amzn.to/3bwd5jD
Fun t-shirts: city-steading....
Some items used in the making of this video (We are Amazon Affiliates and as such do receive a small commission if you purchase anything after using one of our links. There is no cost to you for this, but it does help the channel and enables us to keep bringing you content. Thank you!)
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[@tehfiredog]

Just gotta pause and say that I'm enjoying this longer format, where you put all the needed steps into one video instead of 3 or 4. I can't imagine it's optimal from a KZbin algorithm perspective but it does make watching you make something and seeing how it all comes out seem much smoother somehow.

[@Backdaft94]

Couldn't agree more I know its going against the current but I love the long videos

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Glad you are enjoying it! We listen to our viewers and recognized a trend where they had difficulty finding all the parts of a multi series release. This seems to work better for you to have all the information in one place. Thank you for watching!

[@crbambambam]

Last year I made a 6gal batch of Viking Blood based on your recipe. When I bottled it in December I saved back 1gal and added 6oz of cacao nibs. I just bottled it last weekend and it turned out amazing, it's like a liquid chocolate covered cherry. I would like to thank you guys for the information and the inspiration from your videos.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Sounds lovely! Thanks for watching!

[@johnp.2267]

You two really are influencers. I was making ramen yesterday, and caught myself thwacking my packet. Also, I made my own cacao nib solution for flavoring, but I used amaretto instead of vodka, for the almond flavor addition. Added a small amount of vanilla to the mix, as well. It's so super chocolatey, and the almond flavor with the hint of vanilla turned my ho-hum cranberry wine into something of legend.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Love it!!

[@AmulekkofWOW90]

🤣

[@gumbunch]

I literally did this last night! 😂 (I may or may have not said "thwack... your... packet!" under my breath)

[@Stavrose85]

I'm speechless... I've never got any recipes from any source except from you channel, always come up with nice and beautiful ideas/recipes. God bless.

[@ghoppr71]

Glad to see you used Knudsen. My Blueberry Mead with Knudsen came out great. And, our Alexa's wake word is "Computer" like in Star Trek so it didn't do anything... lol.

[@archietyler6759]

It was such a pleasure to see how happy Derica was!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@stefanshelenko4487]

The technical name for the post gelatin floaty bits is flocs. The verb is flocculate. If there is a greater density in the floc it will settle. Excellent photo content dudes👍👍👍🤙👊🖖

[@goldiegirl6705]

I'm new to wine making. I am gathering some simple equipment to make wine from juice like you do. I'm enjoying your videos so much and I'm learning a lot. You are such a fun couple to watch.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Thank you. We are happy to help.

[@Sirrahlala]

The gelatin clarifying method is very cool and easy to boot.

[@brianmccool9728]

I use Knudson's Black Cherry to make wine - quite nice.

[@JaraJaros]

This is only the second time I've taken the time to comment on any KZbin channel. I discovered your channel by chance about 3 weeks ago. As a former brewer I decided to give it a go. Since that time I've watched a considerable number of your videos, from your beginnings right through the latest. I've very much enjoyed seeing the evolution of your channel and your personas. You both have charming personalities that play well off each other. As a result you're very entertaining. Even though I currently don't home-brew, I will continue following your channel. Thank you very much for helping me pass many entertaining hour with you. Keep up the great work. Jerry

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Thanks for watching!

[@iamno1864]

I would admit when I first looked at the title I thought this would be one of those “ yeah we aren’t doing that again” moments..glad it turned out to be this interesting

[@ThatNerdyCatholic]

I learned a little while ago that when calculating the ABV on my phone calculator, I had to do OT-FG then hit = and then multiply it by 135. If you do OG-FG*135= it will do the multiplication first. It had been a while since I had had to worry about order of operations. If you have a very large negative number, that's probably the reason.

[@AdamFranklin500]

Wow this was a roller coaster of a brew. I was worried it wouldnt clear and stay as "mud". So glad it worked out. Great video as always

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@RyanSmith-ut4dy]

Niceeeeee, as soon as I saw the notification I clicked lol. Watching this as I prep peppers and onions in the kitchen at work 😂💜

[@heartemisart700]

Ok this one goes straight to the top of the to-brew-list!!!!

[@brandymarino4791]

Seeing how excited Derica got made my day. :D

[@alexcan669]

That was awesome guys I need to try it. It sounds like a combination I would love

[@Skulltap]

I have found vanilla is pretty much a requirement if you want the chocolate flavor to come out. It also has the benefit of making it seem sweeter than it really is. I occasionally use gelatin, but I went the route of a small tub. It was more cost effective and doesn't leave an open packet sitting around. Plus the kids enjoy making homemade juice gummies.

[@deenottelling8492]

I have found that pouring half the fruit jar and then shake it will also help getting oxygen in it.

[@mdoerrig]

I just watch your video on Pomegranate chocolate wine. I have to say I loved the formate, from start to bottling. When I search for ideas I always find people making the wine but never given the outcome . City Steading is one of the few that gives a tasting review, but I always had the search for the result and sometime the first and second tasting. Even though it’s longer, great video format.

[@matthm65210]

I don't think I've ever seen Derica this excited over a brew. You guys are a hoot and a half.

[@dustinstober9647]

Love brewing and wing it a lot too. Love how you show that in the videos. Shows we do not need to be perfect!

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Absolutely!

[@thelambofgames1481]

Just started my first mead, you guys have really inspired me to take up brewing, hopefully this cyser turns out well!

[@cristopherj1324]

The vibes are✨Immaculate✨ I love it here 🥰💜

[@hammelbreu2059]

Nice. As always thanks for the video. It was fun and a pleasure to watch 😇

[@deba6145]

This sounds so interesting. Maybe I will do this with some cherry juice instead. Love how you went from start to finish in the whole idea. That was nice!

[@PopulationUno]

One of your funniest and best videos. The last 10 minutes showed how much Brian loves Derica. Brian, you explained perfectly why you wouldn't change a thing.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Thanks :)

[@furbanger9010]

I’m adding in chocolate nibs and vanilla to my maple mead (as per your recipe) and doing a side by side comparison.

[@tabathakorkow2414]

I will have to give this one a try. I made a pomegranate/cherry mead that was given to family members and they can't wait for more.

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

Will have to watch this in increments: waiting for my SO to come pick me up for a few days by the seaside. Whilst he loves my brews I doubt he’d appreciate me glued to a screen watching a KZbin video. Sigh… the things one does for love.

[@generalpurpose5458]

You guys are fun. I watch your channel for the info but also the silliness.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Thanks for watching!

[@ghoppr71]

Super cool on the gelatin trick. I'm gonna have to try that. It appears to be just about as "natural" and "approachable" as you can get.

[@thomastimper1810]

try adding tannin or oak it

[@pokeledian]

For some reason I got so excited when I realized Brian is also left-handed. You guys are such an inspiration, planning a Jalapeño Pineapple mead, using your Mango Habanero, Pineapple, and Jalapeño mead videos to help guide me. But now I want to try a Chocolate Capscumel.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Yes! A chocolate capsicumel is on “The List” to be sure! Thanks for watching!

[@i8ntrt]

How about using a flashlight from behind to show clarity since it is so dark

[@tomcavness1147]

You two are so entertaining. I love your channel. I watched this episode for the second time last night just because it was so dang fun to watch you both make this one. I'll be watching it again in preparation for loading my fermenter up for this one. Love it!! C'mon Amazon, rush my goods!!

[@davidmcdonald4771]

I made this brew and it was a little experiment just for fun. While tasting I got everything in layers... Fantastic flavor thank you...

[@rexannam2646]

Definitely the "Chef Jean-Pierre" for brewing! I do agree that it's all about the taste. Recipes are just guidelines. Make your dish, or your brew to fit your own style. This is like that chemistry set your mother warned you about, except you're trying NOT to blow up your kitchen or your brewing closet or wherever you store your bottles! (Like I did once!)😂😂

[@trudyhoffmann6405]

Thank you for the link for the cleaning tube brush!!

[@CitySteadingBrews]

You are most welcome! Thank YOU for watching!

[@1hotwheels1]

I use gelatin all the time to clarify my beers and love it, just have to be sure to degas first to get the best results.

[@2barrell]

Thats called floculation when particulate matter congeals.

[@dianaaskew560]

Thanks so much for sharing the tube cleaning brush! I’ve been struggling… ❤😊

[@CitySteadingBrews]

You are so welcome!

[@Loredo2328]

Hey Derica and Brian. First I have to say I love your content. When I first discovered it, I went back and watched every episode. You inspired be to start homebrewing myself. Truthfully I had never had wine, let alone mead before in my life. I actually started doing tiktoks making my own using some of the recipes you have shared. This one by far might be my favorite, that I am going to make it the same way. I do admittedly want to see this same as a mead though. Would that be possible. If it can, I can't wait to see it.

[@aimeevanlandingham3844]

Just went and put those brushes in my amazon cart. So glad those things actually exist.

[@markaguilar8066]

I have got to say I absolutely loved this entire video. Cannot wait to give this one a try. Well done.

[@hanginwithhodge]

Another great video. You guys have great info and very entertaining. 🙂

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Thanks so much!

[@the_whiskeyshaman]

Soo good. I love that Pom juice

[@cecilbrisley5185]

So wanted to try this. Unfortunately, pomegranate juice is very expensive But then, in the dollar store and there it is! Two dollars for 750 ml. Checked the label and ingredients were.... pomegranate. Period. Bought it, went next door to the bulk barn for cacao beans for the infusion. Yay! Started bubbling away that night an hour after getting it in the fermenter. Can't wait!

[@craigloutsch5895]

Can you do this with tart cherry juce

[@beachdvm]

LOVE all of your videos. Makes me want to sit at the table with you and join in the process as well as the tasting. ❤

[@morgan79347]

What timing I doing 5 gallons of pomegranate berry either tonight (8/7/22)or tomorrow. Now I’m wondering should I add the chocolate or wait for the next batch.

[@kellyosullivan990]

I will have to remember the bag trick because I use a lot of chopped-up fruit in my brewing and this will help a lot. And is the Vanilla bringing out the chocolate? And this video helps for the raspberry chocolate mead I'm planning.

[@carolynfogall546]

You guys are really awesome. Thank you

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Aww! Thanks for watching! 😍

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

I was just about to leave for a few days on the coast when this notification came in… watched the first few minutes. Had three amazing no-internet days. Came back. Kicked off my shoes. Checked in on the Teen Queen and pets. Unpacked my bag. Plopped down on the sofa, tablet in hand and watched the rest. Teen Queen passes by and chuckles. Me: “Yes sweetheart?” Teen Queen: “Figures. Which brew?” Me: Pomegranate chocolate wine.” Teen Queen: “Cool! When are you starting yours?” … Definitely going on the hunt for pomegranate juice ASAP. LOL

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Lol

[@urbanhomesteadingchannel1813]

Can black tea be substituted for the fermaid -o?

[@CitySteadingBrews]

While black tea has “some” nutrient content, it’s nowhere close to fermaid O

[@Gmrgrl-mb5np]

I made not only this wine but applied the same thing to blueberry juice. Absolutely delicious! My bf and I will have a hard time not drinking this right away… lol

[@LovesDarkness]

I 100% need to try this recipe! I'm Norse Pagan (loving your Viking related shirts) and i can hear Freyja in the back of my head telling me she wants it! Lol Now you used gelatin to clear up the brew...I still have bentonite clay left over from when i made my first batch of mead. Would that work here too?

[@CitySteadingBrews]

It should. We just don't use it.

[@LovesDarkness]

@@CitySteadingBrews awesome! I definitely need to try this recipe! Thanks for the inspiration 💗

[@TheTriFyre]

Happy Anniversary guys ❤️!!! Wish I could join you for a session of D&D! You guys are the BEST! HAVE FUN!!!!

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Thanks John! Bri is on DM'ing detox, but once he is better he intends to run some one-off campaigns through our Beyond the Roll Facebook group. If you have a computer (or even a smart phone) you should be able to join in one of the sessions. :D Sending happy thoughts to you and a quick recovery!

[@TheTriFyre]

@@CitySteadingBrews Thank you very much Derica! Hopefully You're going out or chef Brian is preparing a wonderful meal for you while you enjoy some pomegranate dark chocolate goodness! 🤣😅😂

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Chef Brian, lol. I made pizza and salad, all homemade of course. Was awesome. She did NOT have any of that wine with it though.... hmm. Flavors might not meld!

[@PacesIII]

I have a mango wine I made a year ago and I uave yet to see the pulp settle. Didn't want to use the kaolin, so I guess I'll have to try the gelatin trick.

[@robertsullivan3970]

Always love when she switches the "we're gonna let it sit" over lol Brian always looks mildly betrayed 😂😂

[@charlier9273]

I just made a pomegranate wine for a friend and we tried it the day before this came out! It's one of our new favorite wines. Question for you: do you still swirl your brews? Love your videos!

[@jongrnl]

We used that same yeast in a blackberry mead the other day. OG was 1.112 and the SG as of the first racking was 0.994. It was so dry, during tasting, I think I lost 5 HP! We added more blackberries last week and this week we plan to back sweeten so I probably won’t know the FG for another month. 4 weeks old however and it’s already one of the best dry reds I’ve ever had.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Hopefully when it's done it will turn into a potion of restoration and give you those 5 hp back. Thanks for watching!

[@jongrnl]

@@CitySteadingBrews oh it did! We added 6oz of honey last night and I think this my be one of my favorite meads now! We’re going to let it sit for another month to see if fermentation kicks back up. Then who knows .

[@rachellemazar7374]

Any brew that makes Derica that happy I have to try😄

[@BrianJoyce-dk2sg]

You two are great together, and funny, I love it.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Thanks!

[@dennismorton4688]

just found this video and love it i use pom pom juice to make wine and oak age in barrel for 2 months and is pretty good but expensive 100 % pom juice i think it cost me about 30$ for up to 1 gallon but so good

[@Zbee167]

I was crying laughing when Derica hugged those bottles and said, "We're gonna hide 'em from me!" HILARIOUS!!!

[@stanleygrover1685]

You 2 make me laugh, keep it up! I am making Ginger wine and Cranberry wine. Grape for yeast food and Honey for S.P.G.1.090.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Thanks for watching!

[@petermulders1501]

Seeing this recipe made me wonder if you guys could try make a peacan pie cider. I'm still trying to figure out how to add pecan to a brew but you're the experts

[@CitySteadingBrews]

The fats in the nuts are my concern.

[@petermulders1501]

@@CitySteadingBrews I saw another recipe recently where they add citrus peel for flavour and specifically for the oils - the theory being that the fats add to the mouth feel. I suppose you could also experiment with alcohol extraction of the pecan flavour

[@CitySteadingBrews]

@@petermulders1501 the fats aren't going to dissolve though... they would float on top. alcohol and fats don't mix well. By sitting on top, they can also go rancid. Extraction might be the safest way.

[@DocBrew69]

Derica dialed it up to 11. Nice.

[@bostjerndahl1779]

I have an idea for a videoseries: "Will it wine?". You test different things to try to make a wine from. 😀.

[@tinaburgess7164]

I'd love to see that expanded to "will it ferment into alcoholic beverages". I love when you change it up on the fly. Thanks for sharing the best laid plans of mice and men

[@brandonstahl3562]

Egg shell I've heard works for clearing, and they call that floculate or floculation. You used the gelatin as a floculent.

[@HolyPineCone]

Brian has such a satisfying pronounciation of the word juice. You can almost see in front of you the fruit being crushed to collect juice when he says it 😁

[@kinbolluck476]

Waffles

[@johnoxley3397]

We need to see Derica’s puppy doggies tail. Lol. When I saw how long this lasted I thought “really” but the time has flown by. I’m making cider at the moment but I’m thinking of making a stout from a kit. My thoughts are could I add chocolate and make it a chocolate stout. If it tasted as good as it sounds I need to try. Great video, thank you.

[@drewdickens5774]

Hey! I use that brand of pomegranate juice to make grenadine

[@markshields7206]

My dark chocolate mint mead came out similar to thin mints. I used cocoa nibs in primary and a Madagascar vanilla bean in secondary. Everyone loved it. I have a few tweaks for the next one, but I could make it the same way and it would be gone in a couple months.

[@trudyhoffmann6405]

That sounds amazing. Would you share the recipe? I have a whole hedge of mint and nibs on hand.

[@brandonstahl3562]

It's from concentrate so I can imagine it being higher than fruit. Do you start all of you wine at 1.100? Isn't that a dessert wine or strong table wine?

[@hamzaaouidet9021]

Thank you for this video. I personally love making wine at home. I have a question dear friend: After the fermentation process is over and you get the fermented wine, does this drink contain methanol?? The fermentation process produces alcohol and methanol is a type of alcohol.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Wine does contain trace amounts of methanol, but far less than is considered dangerous by regulatory agencies.

[@hamzaaouidet9021]

Thank you very much

[@chrisschmalhofer4348]

I’ve been using flip top bottles for a while now, and I noticed that my most recent carbonated braille did not hold carbonation. Some went into a Diet Coke plastic bottle, so I know it’s carbonated, the bottles just didn’t hold it. My question is, how many brews do you normally use a fliptop bottle for before you replace the seal? It’s been three or four for me.

[@pyrostar69yt]

So I understand about alcohol tolerance and I'm pretty good with a hydrometer. I saw you sack mead video and I got to wondering. Exactly how high a gravity would stress the yeast, in any given brew? Or does that really depend on the type of sugar used?

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Depends on the yeast.

[@Nimbus.]

Mtn Dew wine. Boil 2L mountain dew with 1 cup of sugar for 30 min top off with water to cool and fill 1 gallon. Add Yeast. Wait 4 weeks. Enjoy oddity.

[@nomadismileseeker6611]

You guys gave me some great ideas for some additions to my cherry chocolate malomel. I’m going to implement them because it is always missing that star factor that I think this is going to fix.

[@DawningNite]

This inspired me to make something of the sort. I'm shooting for a semi-sweet mead version.

[@johnnytoy5487]

Great video, 👍 1.090 is my favorite gravity for all my brew, being wine or a mash. Which generally leaves you with a 12 to 13 % 👍

[@micksbiggestfan4006]

I've seen Vanilla/Vanillan listed on a lot of chocolate bars. Coincidence? I think not!

[@user-gy5vv6wc4r]

I know this video is a year old but this is a great video. I've been making wine (spirits) for a long time, around 40 yrs & to watch you two in this video was quite funny. I grew up learning from my father, who made beer, with uncles that made mostly wine & other uncles who would cook the wine. Which turned out pretty tasty in its final form. All of the wines I've made have always have been straight up fruit based, never adding other ingredients. What I mean is I adjusted flavors with other fruits or sugar syrups to sweeten with. I know lots of guys who have used chocolate for flavoring & it clouds wine everytime. There's something about re-hydrating coco, it clouds wine. Its only been in the last ten years or so that I've started using the internet to experiment more but still over all this time I've never heard of using gelatin to help clear. The second I saw the reaction after it was added I knew it would clear up better. I'm curious, its been a year have you tried the year old bottle? Has it held its flavor? Has aging improved or smoothed the flavor, taken away some of the tartness? The reason I'm asking about the chocolate is that with age it sometimes produces a stronger aftertaste & over powers the fruit. Do you ever test the PH of the final product?

[@CitySteadingBrews]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5vKanejpq2HjZIsi=YtGRgk1OXeUQwcKt

[@williamedwards1822]

Ohhh you should try cherry pomegranate mead. 😮😮😮 i did one turned out amazing

[@widenerfamilyfun7176]

Thanks for everything that you've taught me. I've used this knowlege to help a few others to take up home brewing. Could you make a chocolate strawberry wine ?

[@AEG_UK2020]

one of your best video's; just started a 10l treacle and apple ready for Halloween :D

[@rantingrunner9752]

I Just happened to buy that brand of juice yesterday for a Apple mead concoction, and a coconut pineapple concoction I’m making. My yeast was a little bit too happy with the coconut pineapple. And I had a cleanup project this morning. :p

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Oops! Those yeasties do make a mess when they throw a party.

[@AdamFranklin500]

Yay! The Franklin got a shout out! LOL

[@haidner]

I've brewed with chocolate a few times. Never had any success in getting much of the flavour. Next time I'll try adding a little vanilla, like you did.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

We find making an extract works really well.

[@katiebowman2270]

There is just enough time... I just started my first brew (so excited!!). Have you all done a Yule Cheer Mead yet? I would love to see your take on that!

[@KristiinaKasepalu]

Mega love the excitement from her 😆😅✨✨✨

[@KristiinaKasepalu]

Also.. can we now get one year later reaction to top rated drinks video? And maybe 1y later tasting the worst rated drinks?

[@KristiinaKasepalu]

I mean this might boost old video watching as you link these in new video 😆

[@tabathakorkow2414]

I've watched this one a few time', and I'm excited to get this one a try myself. I know it wouldn't need it, but for some reason I want to add cherries to it in primary. What are thoughts on doing that? Anything that I might have to worry about? Any advice is helpful. (Am I over thinking it? Most likely)

[@CaananLocke]

That first bit on names sounds a lot like that quote from Romeo and Juliet: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell just as sweet.”

[@UponGiantsShoulders]

I use the two part fining agent super kleer fairly regularly.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

We simply prefer not to use it. We've had good luck with gelatin and PE though. In reality, ultimate clarity means very little when it comes to flavor.

[@hondatuner5156]

Year 3... blackberry wine continues to be my main reason to use a blow-off tubes

[@lukastojanovic8551]

What brews did rate an 11?

[@CitySteadingBrews]

I think the Spiced Metheglin. I don't have records of the various scores we gave each brew.

[@dennismorton4688]

i use that yeast for everything wine,cider