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nafex - [NAFEX] Elderberry wine Martha D

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  • From: "Richard MURPHY" <murphman108@msn.com>
  • To: "nafex" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [NAFEX] Elderberry wine Martha D
  • Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2007 13:13:08 -0500

Hello Martha and All;
 
If you bought a wine kit, and it came with dried Elderberries, I can almost promise you that they are Nigra, not Canadensis. Across the pond, most, if not all are Nigra. When you buy dried Elderberries on the web from a Herb Co., they are almost all Nigra (I've not seen Can. yet). British people love Elderberry wine.
 
    Regarding the winemaking........ I've used both successfully.
 
Observations:
 
DRIED:    cheap - always avail - 'unknown spray history' (usually wild picked = no spray ??) , no green crud
 
FRESH:    fresh or frozen - spray history known - green crud.
 
What is Green Crud ?  It is a component of fresh Elder that turns into tar-like green glue on the meniscus of the Primary fermentation tank, and in hoses / tools. Not harmful, just a nuisance to wash off.
 
Both of my wines tasted very similar. Understand that I bring the fresh Elderberries (in about 1" of water) in a covered pot to a boil for about 3 minutes. This changes their taste, more like that of the dried. 
 
 
Wine from 2/3 cider and 1/3 Elderberry-cooked-in-water is awesome !! Better you make a lot !
Get the initial S.G. up to 1.09   Ferment to dryness. Back sweeten it a lot. (sorbate too) Oh my...
 
Cheers !
 
Murph
 



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