Elderflower Champagne

ronanl

Hi All,
I have decided to attempt to make my own elderflower champagne and have everything except the bottles would anyone know where i can get some groltch type bottles with the hinged cap?? any help or advise would be brilliant.
cheers or soon to cheers
Ronan

Saruman

Start ordering/buying beer. Otherwise a trip to Ikea will be needed.
Good luck with that, and remember though... you can't call it champagne

glanman

My brother and sister just bought some from a crowd in dublin, look pretty cool, about €1.20 for a 500ml bottle, €1.50 for a litre bottle. I can't remember their name but I will send you the name and their website when I get it off them

glanman

http://www.alpack.ie/

They are based in Dublin and gave some free samples to them to see which ones suited, incidently they are using them for elderflower cordial:)

Saruman

Well look at that, I used to look after their IT when I worked at another company. Never knew they did those, always thought it was just jars etc.

glanman

might get you a nice discount:)

worsel

Hi Ronanl..
I wounder could you Please Help !
I have just this Evening made some Elderflower Champagne..Using the Following receipt .. http://www.instructables.com/id/Elderflower-Champagne-A-cool-crisp-BBQ-booze-/
This is for 6 Litres - 2 Kg of Sugar - 25 Heads (Flower heads that is !!)
After Making up the Mix - i've being surfing through the Web - Looking at different Sites--
Do you think I've used too muck Sugar??
Should I add more Water ?
OR will it be OK

worsel

Hi Me Again..
Still think I used too much Sugar??
Just being to Make your own bubbly with this elderflower champagne recipe from River Cottage
http://www.channel4.com/food/recipes/chefs/hugh-fearnley-whittingstall/elderflower-champagne-recipe_p_1.html

What should I do ???
Can Get Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall on the Phone!!!
He on Ch.4 at 8 o' clock !!!
HELP ! Somebody...

Saruman

Make sure you add some wine yeast as it will ferment all the sugar. It will be a strong then

worsel

Hi Saruman,
Thanks for Reply.
Where Can I get wine yeast ??
Would you have any advice on Bottling - this stuff produces a lot of co2.
I heard of bottles exploding - Some have suggested Plastic Pop bottles - Any Ideas?

smithcity

Since it's a bit of a hassle to get champagne bottles, corks and champagne corker I use the bottles from a brand of Lemonade called "Lorina."
They are glass bottles with hinged replaceable cork lids and they handle the pressure of a carbonated soft drink, I've had no issues of exploding bottles with them.
I found them perfect for the task, the brand is widely available, I've seen it in Tesco and I think in Dunnes.