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nafex - Re: [NAFEX] Elderberry wine Martha D

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  • From: mIEKAL aND <dtv@mwt.net>
  • To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Elderberry wine Martha D
  • Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2007 12:49:38 -0600

I've been using WhiteLabs liquid merlot yeast the last several years to make my elderberry wine & it has made a tremendous difference in the body & character of the wine.

http://www.whitelabs.com/beer/homebrew_strains.html

A number of people have thought they were drinking grapes, but maybe that doesn't mean anything.

~mIEKAL


On Nov 5, 2007, at 12:13 PM, Richard MURPHY wrote:

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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