[Sandy]

OK, Nettles in the freezer and saw one recipe on You tube but, has anyone some nice easy recipe for  us to try, we prefer to make wine rather than beer!!!

[doganjo]

Do you need any more nettles?  Got some in the garden - clean ones.  I used to have a wine making book but can't find it anywhere.  Will check tomorrow

[doganjo]

Just found this when I Googled Nettle WINE

"Nettle Wine Recipe
1 bag nettles
1 gallon water
1.2 kg sugar
juice of one orange
juice of one lemon
1 heaped teaspoon wine yeast
sterilising solution (for cleaning equpment before use)
Instructions for nettle wine

At home I picked through the nettles again, removing bugs and bits of grass. Then the nettle tops went onto the stove in a large pot. I covered the nettles with about 4 pints of water and brought them to the boil. After 15 minutes gentle simmering I turned off the heat and after allowing it to cool for about 20 minutes strained the now light green juice into a large fermentation bucket. I added another 8 pints of boiled water, 1.2kg of sugar and the juice of one lemon and one orange. I stirred till the sugar was disolved, covered the bucket and left it to cool.

Later that day once the mixture had reached approximately blood temperature I checked the specific gravity (1080) which means that if all the sugar turns to alcohol the wine will be approximately 9%-12% alcohol.

I added a heaped teaspoon of wine yeast and stirred it in. I then stood the bucket on some insulating layers of newspaper and wrapped a blanket around it.

The next day the mix was beginning to bubble and continued to do so vigourously for 3 days. At this point I siphoned off the juice into a sterilized demijohn and topped it with a airlock.

Three weeks later a sludge had settled in the bottom of the demijohn, so siphoned to wine (can I call it wine yet?) to a clean demijohn and left it another 6 weeks. I was absolutely certain that the fermentation had finished so I bottled it and left the bottles on the shelf in the cupboard under the stairs.

2 weeks later I was curious and cracked open a bottle. As there was no sweetness left, I added two tablespoonfuls to the wine and drank a glass.

I liked it and drank the whole bottle. Was gently intoxicated and didn't have a hangover the next morning, so I class nettle wine as a total success.

Tips for next batch...

I will add sugar at each racking from one demijohn to the next. This should re-start the fermentation so it will take a lot longer (up to a year) but the resulting drink will be much more wine-like. I might also add raisins to the first step (about half a pound) to give a more wine-like flavour."

[Sandy]

I may nip to see if I can buy some stuff, I need a big bucket, I do have one but its not got a lid anymore, then some Demijohns and air locks and finanly, bottles!! I found a recipe but I just wondered!!
  Thats the same recipe we saw too! THanks

[tazbabe]

ooh, thank you!

as i am about to bottle my damson wine  and carrot wine i will have 7 empty demijohns......this will be the next project then!

[Sandy]

So, not on the internet but a shop, where can I buy brewing stuff in central scotland!!!!! I do not want to buy of E Bay etc...I have my reasons just now!!

[doganjo]

I may nip to see if I can buy some stuff, I need a big bucket, I do have one but its not got a lid anymore, then some Demijohns and air locks and finanly, bottles!! I found a recipe but I just wondered!!
  Thats the same recipe we saw too! THanks

Don't buy demijohns - I have a few down here.  Ask on Freegle for bottles.  You've motivated me now - I have grape juice in the freezer from grapes I got from Carol.  Will defrost it today and get started tomorrow.  Do you want any more nettles?

[doganjo]

There's a place in Kirkcaldy - The Fermentation Shop, and I think there is one in Stirling, I'll ask Sarah.  I'll come too  - let me know when.

[Sandy]

I looked on tinternet and saw a few, a health shop in Stirling but its not open today and its today I thought I would go, I was going to look at the car boot but got up far too late, so, wondered if DObbies had any? fancy a quick trip there?

[doganjo]

Yes, when?

[tazbabe]

wilkinsons sell homebrew equipment.

[Sandy]

ASAP, I just was on the p hone but could not get a reply from DObbies, maybe they do not sell them but a nice trip out in this sun would be lubly, maybe a cuppa "

[doganjo]

wilkinsons sell homebrew equipment.

Who and where are wilikinsons?

[Sandy]

When we moved up here I was so disapointed there was NO WIlkinsons, great shop, I worked near the one in Leicester and it was wonderful for loads of household stuff. I read today that home brew kits are flying off shelves, so someone should jump on the bandwagon. No Wilkinsons up here, they are a brance of Wollworths!!! Thanks so much doganjo for the lunch, trip and chat, we are happy to sort ourselves out, after all, its only money and our neighbour has supplied us with a tipple tonight!!

[doganjo]

I've just washed two demijohns for you - do you want them tomorrow or is Tuesday soon enough?  I'll be coming to Laura's to book an appointment but they aren't open tomorrow