How is your 2010 Sparkling Elderflower coming along. Have you tried it yet or is it keeping until Summer.

We know when and where to look next year so will be having a go ourselves.

Have you ever tried it without lemon....I wonder if the tart citrus will dull the flavour. Or maybe it'll be undrinkable without the lemon.

Sorry to butt-in GK.

Goose, you need the citric acid to activate the wild yeasts, and also the sugars required to make the bubbles, Well, that's how it wos when we made it, when we wos at the foot of the Lincolnshire Wolds.

Good ole days those - very bucolic

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Duncan

OK, I've drank one glass of cheap white and two thirds of a bottle of Cono Sur Reserve Pinot Noir '09 (rather nice), and just finished watching the movie Inception- so my mind is a tad scrambled....bare with me.

Yes, we've drank all but one bottle of the Elderflower fizz, was saving it 'til the next equinox. Taste? Its very good for homemade but lacks balance if Im honest. For the next batch I plan to add a pinch of glycerol and a spoon of non-fermenting sugar to smooth over the cracks and placate the palate.

Adjust the citric to taste, stick to the recipe and you'll be fine. For more body you could add a small tin of concentrated white grape juice, available from brew shops and wilco's, but remember to adjust the sugar accordingly.

Your hydrometer is your friend.

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Yep, Im still here.

One more thing Goose, when you go out and pick the flowers, ferment the juice, bottle the result and wait patiently for it to develop, that veil of cynicism falls away and you forgive the odd imperfection.

Tis not important if your nipper is a minger, you love it anyway.

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Yep, Im still here.

Thanks both. Lemon it is then

I shall be very proud of my first batch of sparkling elder babies. Anyone who tastes it and uses the words tart, sweet, where's the blackcurrant, passion fruit, boxwood and capsicum and good grief, Goose, this is so bad the CoOp could put it on half price offer, will get a kick up at arse.

Exactly!

You never know, you might find your calling and discover a hidden talent!

Essential items for wine making-
-A 2 gallon fermenting bucket- this will have a mark for one gallon too and can be used for anything, comes with a lid.
-A couple of Demijohns with bungs and air-locks.
-A tube for racking.

Cheap as chips and you'll get years of service from them. If you dont want to pay, go on Freecycle, there's always someone giving the stuff away. Nows a good time too, come Spring people will want to give it another go and keep their equipment.

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Yep, Im still here.

Wise stuff here.

**Except from shed people and hoardering souls.......

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Duncan

The good thing about Freecycle is you can also post for 'Wanted' items. You may not see what you want offered but if you post a request for stuff it reminds people they have 'it' in their garage and no longer want it.

I have got loads of stuff for my allotment off Freecycle, wheelbarrow, watering cans, wire mesh for protection, tools etc.

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Yep, Im still here.