Vin de Cerises

Description
Homemade cherry wine
 * Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

Ingredients

 * 2 lbs cherries with the pitts, washed and stemmed
 * 1 cup of water
 * 1 vanilla bean
 * 2¼ cups eau-de-vie
 * 9 cups red wine

Directions

 * 1) Put the cherries in a saucepan along with the sugar and vanilla bean.
 * 2) Add 1 cup of water.
 * 3) Cook over low heat for 30 minutes.
 * 4) Strain the juice and allow to cool.
 * 5) In a large, wide-brimmed jar, mix the strained juice with the eau-de-vie.
 * 6) Seal the jar and place in a cool dark place for 15 days.
 * 7) After 15 days, add the wine to the cherry eau-de-vie.
 * 8) If making the wine for gifts, pour into decorative bottles and seal.
 * 9) Store the bottles, tightly sealed in a cool, dark place.
 * 10) Serve very well chilled as an apéritif or as a dessert wine.