Elderberry Wine

4/02/2011

OK, I started a new batch of Elderberry wine. Here is the recipe I used. Now I will list the one gallon version. Double this and you have what I am making. I am doing 2 gallons so I can give some of it away.

I used 8oz. of dehydrated elderberries in this.

4-5oz dehydrated elderberries

3 cups of sugar (at this point)

1 tsp acid blend

1 tsp yeast nutrient

yeast

I boiled the elderberries in water for one hour. Yes, I wanted everything out of those dried up little chunks of gold. After this I added the sugar to make sure it was incorporated throughout the liquid. Added acid blend and yeast nutrient and blended that in thoroughly and added the extra water. All this was placed in a primary fermenter and covered with plastic lid with an air lock I added yeast when it got down to under 100 degrees. Within three hours I have bubbles coming out the air lock. I was rather shocked by this. And relieved. Please note!!! I did not remove the boiled elderberries! I left them in the primary fermenter and will remove them when I rack the first time. If a few make it by and are in the secondary fermenter that is no big deal. We will get them on the second racking.

In 7-10 days I will rack into secondary fermenter and add probably two cups of sugar. After 7-10 days I will rack into another fermenter and leave there until the liquid gold completes fermentation. At that point I will add chemicals to preserve the wine and after 2-3 days I will bottle and leave all but one bottle on the shelf for a minimum of sex months. I will take one bottle and chill it, open it, and enjoy it.

That brings up something. When it the wine ready? It is ready when it tastes good for you. I will have one bottle to celebrate the batch being done and shelved. It will be good and I will be happy with it. Letting the other bottles sit for 6+ months will just add to flavor. After a year, I think, if you have not drank the wine you should have some people over and open what is left and share it all until it is gone. That or, ONLY IF IT IS REALLY GOOD, give it to friends and family that will appreciate the flavor and time you put into the bottle.

Wine is meant to be drank alone and with a pack of people. I can only imagine what it is like when you drink it in a group of people and they like it. That must be a great feeling. I will have to put in an entry when this happens.

Until next time keep it bubbling!!!

Chuck