Broad Bean Wine Recipe – Dry White Table Wine

This broad bean wine recipe makes a light, dry white wine using shelled beans and bananas for body.

It might sound odd, but this is a time-tested country wine that delivers a smooth, crisp finish — and it’s surprisingly easy to make.

It yields about 4.5 litres (1 UK gallon), perfect for a standard demijohn batch.

Serve it chilled with food — it works well like a basic white table wine, with a clean, dry profile and just a touch of fruit from the grape juice and bananas.

What Does Broad Bean Wine Taste Like?

Dry, crisp, and fairly neutral. This isn’t a bold or fruity wine — it’s more like a simple table white.

The beans don’t dominate the flavour; they just add body and smoothness.

The bananas and grape juice round things out slightly. With a little aging, it becomes surprisingly drinkable.

Essential Equipment Needed for Broad Bean Wine

Ingredients for Broad Bean Wine

Best Yeast for Broad Bean Wine – Top Picks

This wine needs a clean, neutral fermenter. You don’t want big fruitiness here — just something that ferments dry and stays clear.

  1. Gervin GV1 – Classic white table wine yeast, dry and neutral.
  2. Lalvin EC-1118 – Crisp finish, reliable fermentation.
  3. Mangrove Jack’s CY17 – If you want to soften it a little with a slight fruity edge.

How to Make Broad Bean Wine: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Cook the Beans and Bananas

  • Wash and chop the broad beans.
  • Peel and slice the bananas.
  • Add to a large pot with 4L of water, bring to a boil, then simmer until soft.
  • Remove from heat and let cool fully (lid on).

Step 2: Strain and Build the Must

  • Strain and discard solids. Pour the liquor into your fermentation vessel.
  • Add grape juice concentrate, sugar, citric acid, tannin, nutrient, and yeast.
  • Top up if needed to reach 4.5L, fit airlock, and ferment in a warm place.

Step 3: Ferment and Clear

  • Ferment until dry — SG should be around 0.995 to 1.000.
  • Rack into a clean demijohn, add 1 crushed Campden tablet, and airlock again.
  • Store cool until fully clear. Rack again if needed.

Step 4: Age and Bottle

  • Age for 12 months in demijohn if possible. Then bottle.
  • Serve well chilled — it’s a great dry table wine.

Pro Tips for Broad Bean Wine

  • End-of-season beans are fine, but avoid any that are tough or discoloured.
  • Bananas help with mouthfeel — don’t skip them unless substituting raisins.
  • Use a fine mesh strainer or muslin for cleaner results when straining.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen beans?

You can, but they may break down too much and cause cloudiness. Use fresh if possible.

Will it taste like beans?

No. They’re just there for body and fermentable — the wine is dry and neutral like a simple white.

Can I sweeten it later?

Sure — back-sweeten with a non-fermentable wine sweetener, but stabilise first with sorbate + Campden.