Berry wine

Anybody got any experience with black/elderberry wine ?
Hoping to do my first batch over the weekend (if I get all my equipment).
First time brewing anything and there's so much conflicting information online!

mordeith

BrownFinger wrote: »

Anybody got any experience with black/elderberry wine ?
Hoping to do my first batch over the weekend (if I get all my equipment).
First time brewing anything and there's so much conflicting information online!

I made a Blackberry/elderberry mix last year. I also added a litre of Tesco cherry juice. It turned out delicious.

Sounds good mordeith!
Can I ask if you boiled and removed the berries before primary fermentation or left them in ?
Also when I transfer to the carboy do I need to keep that at 20c until bottling ?

Doesnt look like I'll have my yeast until monday

mordeith

BrownFinger wrote: »

Sounds good mordeith!
Can I ask if you boiled and removed the berries before primary fermentation or left them in ?
Also when I transfer to the carboy do I need to keep that at 20c until bottling ?

Doesnt look like I'll have my yeast until monday

I tend to take a fairly simple approach to any hedgerow wines. I froze the berries and then let them thaw out before juicing (I have a small soft fruit press). The freeze/thaw helps release more juice. Then add boiling water and sugar and leave for 3/4 days before straining into a demijohnn. Rack after a month or so. Of course there's other ingredients as well but that's just a rough idea above. Temperature isn't overly important, just ensure you get the initial fermentation started. After that keep it in a room with a fairly stable temp but don't let get too cold obviously.

One more question for you!

After secondary fermentation you rack it..
Into another demijon/carboy and then leave it with an airlock again ?
I've only got a large bucket and one carboy 5gallon I believe.
the gallon stuff is very annoying ,just give me litres !

mordeith

I do the initial few days in a 5l bucket and then transfer to demijohnn with airlock. After initial settling period (couple months on average) I rack to another demijohnn with airlock. Occasionally might rack one more time depending on how clear the wine is. Then bottle and leave to age.