Author Topic: Started a few gallons of Elderberry and Blackberry wine (Read 6652 times)

Olly398 · « **on:** October 04, 2012, 10:28:37 am »

You'll have to excuse a link to the blog though because I can't be bothered to write it all out again

Scotsdumpy · « **Reply #1 on:** October 04, 2012, 07:15:19 pm »

Hi Olly - nice blog!

I would be inclined to stir the 'raft' of fruit into the mixture once a day as it contains a lot of the yeast and juices. I do this with all my wines and have no problems to date....

I've just tested (quality control you understand...!) this years elderflower and Its rather nice.. I should have done more!

Mammyshaz · « **Reply #2 on:** October 04, 2012, 07:21:03 pm »

Hmm looks very nice

( large wine glass )

We have some rhubarb still fermenting. It may be ready for Christmas. We'll wait and see

Olly398 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2012, 09:34:40 am »

Thanks for the tips

Gone into DJs under airlock now (pics).

Now for the long wait! Good job I've got some beer conditioning, that's much quicker.

Olly398 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2013, 02:52:27 pm »

I bottled this at the start of March. Had a bit of a taste - definitely improving, and recognisable as red wine! Hurrah!

I've written up my bottling procedure here if anyone's inrerested.
21 bottles done, will try them again in the Autumn. I reckon first and foremost we taste with our eyes, so I took a bit of care over the presentation of the bottles.

Clarebelle · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2013, 04:15:13 pm »

They look fab, well done

FiB · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2013, 05:03:51 pm »

by the way Olly - I LOVE your letterpress labels - would you take orders?

?

Dan · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2013, 07:48:54 pm »

Brilliant job, really looks the part and if it tastes like red wine even better.

When I see how good these look I consider trying wine making again, but then remember how awful our's tasted when we made it in the past. We need some lessons, or a generous wine-making friend.

Olly398 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2013, 09:53:53 pm »

Thanks all!

So far the brewing exploits all taste good. Hard to say whether this is luck or judgement, but I've started with a safe one I suppose, I mean I can see how blackerries and elderberries, when ripe, share some attributes with the grape (tannin, colour, aroma), and you top up the sugar levels. I've just started a parsnip wine which is more of a leap of faith

I'm chuffed with the labels, thanks so much for the compliments

. Its hard to explain how much of a faff letterpressing is until you do it, so I'll have to decline taking orders for now. Maybe when I quit the 9-to-5...