[tattycat]

Hiya all. Need to pick brains. I made a huge batch of elderflower cordial last year, nd most of the bottles ended up with a mould plug on the top. Apart from that looked ok, in fact still looks ok as I couldnt bear to chuck it all away!! Some was drunk nd no adverse effects. Any ideas what went wrong, nd any ideas how to rescue it? Could I turn it into wine now? Should I boil nd rebottle? HELP!!

[Greenerlife]

Usually means that the bottles weren't quite sanitised enough - I always get a few like that!  i just decant from the mould and rebottle - I haven't died yet....

[hafod]

Hi, I agree with Greenerlife, decant and rebottle in sterilised bottles. We use Milton or own brand equivalent to sterilise bottles & lids (and any other equipment used to bottle:ladle, funnel etc). We also freeze the cordial until needed. Good luck!

[HesterF]

Might depend on the recipe too - you have to have enough sugar in the mix to keep the bacteria at bay. I store all my cordial in the fridge because it doesn't keep well anyway (even with pasteurising bottles). Problem is you tend to leave it sitting around stewing for a few days before bottling and anything can get into it then and you don't heat it afterwards to kill it off. I've got a pasteuriser now so I'll try pasteurising them in the bottles this year (can't think it'll affect the flavour).

[tattycat]

Cheers all for replies. Seems to be a common thread not being sterilised enough, used boiling water....shame as it was in Grolsh bottles thinking they'd work really well! Even boiled the rubber 'bits'. Someone also mentioned an abundance of wild yeast.......Re shelf life, I haven't had this problem before. I normaly store in a cool dark cupboard, or freeze. Nothing as nice as Champagne nd Elder cordial for Christmas Day!! Yummy!