Elderberry wine

[Floyd Soul]

Last weekend I had some elderberry wine and it was beautiful It was homemade locally. I'm definitely gonna make some elderflower champagne and elderberry wine this year. Whos with me?

 

[gregorach]

Oh yes - last year's elderberry and elderflower wines are aging nicely, and I'm definitely making more this year. Not too sure about the champagne - if I'm going to go to the trouble of collecting and destalking all those elderflowers, I'm gonna make proper wine.

Last year was my first foray into winemaking, and it turned out fine. So for anybody who's wavering - it's really not that hard!

 

[Mikey P]

I've not tried it yet. My dad used to do it - he'd put the demi-johns in the airing cupboard and all our clothes smelt of yeast.

He had about a 75%-25% hit to miss ratio. Some of the stuff he made (Potato wine? Teabag wine?) was like rat's urine (er...I expect), but he made some corkers as well. Next time I'm home, I might see if he still has the kit - I don't think he uses it anymore.

If it's as easy as you say it is, I'm going to have a go.

He also made some beer once too - that was bloody disgusting . Mind you, it was still better than Stones...

 

[gregorach]

Well, I've not tried any of the wierder options yet, but I've been making beer from kits (Muntons Gold are particularly good) for about a year and a half now, and making wine (both hedgerow and from kits) for a few months, and I haven't had one go wrong on me yet. (Touch wood... ) I must get through at least a barrel (5 gallons, or 40 pints) of beer a month...

As far as I can see, the trick is simply patience. Don't try and make it too strong, or ferment it too fast. Oh, and scrupulous hygiene is also very important.

 

[Floyd Soul]

I've made beer from kits too which is nice, but I definitely want to make some country wines this year. Silver Birch sap wine

My father made parsley wine before

 

[gregorach]

I've heard it said that you can make wine out of virtually anything. The question is whether you'd want to...

 

[British Red]

Alcohol is just sugar, yeast and water with a little time. Wild wines are fantastic. I do have a complete step by step guide with photographs to the making of wild wine (including descriptions of all the equipment, ingredients etc. you will need). If anyone would like me to publish it here its no problem although it is "picture heavy"

Red

 

[Matt Weir]

Floyd,

I'm with you indeed! Got a couple of elders on the allotment

Red,

Post away mate, that would be great cheers.

Does anyone know where we can source some cheap demijohns from? I believe they can be quite expensive.

Matt.

 

[Deleted member 4605]

If anyone would like me to publish it here its no problem although it is "picture heavy"

Yes please.

 

[British Red]

Drop me a PM mate and I'll give you an on-line source - good "starter kits" too with airlocks, steriliser etc.

Red

 

[xylaria]

We have just moved house and we found some bottles of Elderberry and mead that we felt we should drink. They were about nine years old. Boy they were delcious!!

The Elderberry was so rounded. I got competely paraletic on two glasses Elderberry can give you blinding headache the next day :twak: but not this bottle the maturity must of done something. Well worth the wait.

The mead was the best drink I have ever tasted. The honey bouqet had become more a taste than a smell .

 

[British Red]

Yes please.

Done mate - theres about 8 separate posts I'm afraid as theres a lot of pictures - I hope its informative though!

Red

 

[Floyd Soul]

Thanks for the info British Red!

Hey Matt W I'm with you. The road I live on is absolutely covered in elder bushes but I still went ahead and ordered 4 plants from the nursery today. The ones on the hedgerow are cut back all the time and never grow so I'd like these ones in the garden to mature someday.

 

[British Red]

Does anyone know where we can source some cheap demijohns from? I believe they can be quite expensive.

Matt.

Matt,


These guys are good

http://www.art-of-brewing.co.uk/acatalog/intro.html

These are best for Demijohns though


http://www.hamstead-brewing-centre.co.uk/

Red

 

[Matt Weir]

Cheers Red,

Much appreciated mate.

Matt.

 

[rich59]

Making elderberry wine is my other reason to be (along side bushcraft). Note my avatar is the rare white fruiting elderberry.

At this time of year I the project is normally fairly quiet. But, this year I am changing allotments and am in a major project of taking cuttings and growing them on into new bushes.

I have worked out that every bush makes a slightly different wine so I try and select good bushes and grow new bushes from cuttings.

I've never made the champagne or the cordial. Any simple recipes anyone?

 

[Mikey P]

Making elderberry wine is my other reason to be (along side bushcraft). Note my avatar is the rare white fruiting elderberry.

At this time of year I the project is normally fairly quiet. But, this year I am changing allotments and am in a major project of taking cuttings and growing them on into new bushes.

I have worked out that every bush makes a slightly different wine so I try and select good bushes and grow new bushes from cuttings.

I've never made the champagne or the cordial. Any simple recipes anyone?

Blimey! That is a serious Elderberry habit you have there.

 

[Forager]

I got a load of demijohns from my local freecycle. There are lots lurking in attics and garages, might be worth a try.

F