To Make a Hogshead of Good Raisin Wine

To make a Hogshead of Good
-    Raisin Wine -

Take four Hundred Weight of Raisins ^cored, prick
off the Stalks, put them into an Iron Bound
Pipe observing the neat Weight - pour thereon
cold soft Water, at the Rate of one Gallon
Wine Measure to every six Pounds of Raisins,
let the Pipe stand in a good Cellar, proof
against Frosts, knock down the Bung & keep 
it close for three Days, at the End of which
open the spile & it will begin to ferment, 
when it ferments, freely, ease the Bung, let it
ferment for a Fortnight or three Weeks, as you
prefer a sweet, or a dry Wine; when it has 
fermented sufficiently, take a Gallon of
French Brandy, pour it as gently as possible
over the Surface this will stop the Fer-- 

fermentation & make it subside, then bury
it close & knock in the Spile.--------------
N.B. The above is best done in the Month 
of October, let it stand about six Months
or from October to April, then put in a
Cock & you will draw off a Hogshead of
Clear Wine (what remains may be
made excellent Vinegar by the Addition
of brown Sugar) To have it in Perfection
let the Wine stand one year, then draw
it off into a Quarter Cask, & keep it a
year longer.