North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[mIEKAL aND <qazingulaza@gmail.com>]

I made 5 gallons of aronia this year & just racked it a few weeks ago.  Mine is showing up with deep deep tannins, very similar to the mouthfeel of a cold hardy grape such as frontenac.  It's also the deepest densest purple of any wine I've ever worked with.  Since I like my wines dry I won't be adding any additional sweetner.  It will be interesting to see how it tastes after it settles down a bit.

~mIEKAL

On Jan 10, 2009, at 11:58 AM, Richard MURPHY wrote:

Hello Guys;

 

I am looking for Aronia plants, cheap. Nero or Viking.

I need about a dozen or so to trial in Maine.

Saint Lawrence sells bare root, 10 for $60. Not Bad.

Anybody got a cheaper source?

 

Has anybody done business with Sandusky Valley Nursery?

 

Why..........????

 

I was driving out of the supermarket parking lot, and saw this 24" shrub loaded with big black berries. The plant was in good health, and the berries were free of bugs. These plants were neglected. I snapped off a small branch, and found out it was Aronia using the web. As far as eating them fresh, I wouldn't cross the street for a mouthful, but, like Elderberry, I can absolutely see it making a super jelly.

I make apple wine a lot. Dried Elderberries turns it into a whole new animal, completely unrecognizable as apple, but an excellent drink. Yes, it's ameliorated up to 13% ABV, and back sweetened a tad. Aronia will probably creat another wonder-wine that my friends will guzzle willingly.

 

Murph