Non fermenting Elderflower Champagne

[Jelliebabe]

Dear All!

Please can someone give me some advice! My elderflower mix (a-la Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall's recipe) has been sat in a bucket since Saturday (6th day today)) and no signs of anything doing (ie fermentation) despite a pinch of yeast on day four... What now? Should I put more in? Is this normal/usual not to see anything...Should I start again? Should I bottle it anyway? Should I take up knitting instead... Answers to these or any other questions on a postcard!

Many thanks
Jelliebabe X

[rustylady]

Not sure what goes into HFW's elderflower champagne - I need to look up the recipe. I assume you have added sugar and water to elderflowers, with probably oranges and/or lemons. It does take a few days for bubbling to start - the first few days the yeast feeds on the sugar and only produces a few bubbles. Give it a good stir.

[Guttata]

How hot was the water? If above 30degC it is likely you could have killed the yeast.

The recipe:
Elderflower Champagne Recipe | Food | Channel4.com

The instructions are almost none existent and to me that looks dangerous. There is no mention of the level of sugar and hydrometer use as such I would only be inclined to use plastic screw top bottles as there is too much danger of the others exploding. Yes I saw the warning but people can and do miss things.

I would start again with fresh yeast, after sulphiting.

[zazen999]

You sure it was elderflower?

[rustylady]

How hot was the water? If above 30degC it is likely you could have killed the yeast.

The recipe:
Elderflower Champagne Recipe | Food | Channel4.com

The instructions are almost none existent and to me that looks dangerous. There is no mention of the level of sugar and hydrometer use as such I would only be inclined to use plastic screw top bottles as there is too much danger of the others exploding. Yes I saw the warning but people can and do miss things.

I would start again with fresh yeast, after sulphiting.

It does say 700 g of sugar. Why would you need to use a hydrometer? Our ancestors never did? What is the point of sulphiting? If you are going to start again then you might as well start off a whole new brew.

[Jelliebabe]

Rustylady - Yes recipe was - 4 litres hot water to disolve sugar (700 grams) then 2 ltres cool water then v2 tablespoons vinegar, lemon rind and elderflower. I added a pinch of yeast at day 4 as nothing happening... now day 6 and still nothing...

Guttata - Water was cool when Elderflower added, and room temp when pinch of yeast added

Zazen - LOL - yes it was Elderflower cheeky!

[Guttata]

It does say 700 g of sugar. Why would you need to use a hydrometer? Our ancestors never did? What is the point of sulphiting? If you are going to start again then you might as well start off a whole new brew.

When dealing with brewing wine going into glass bottles, then yes I would say use a hydrometer. There is too much of a risk of them exploding and for safeties sake they should be at an SG of 5, which you can't tell without a hydrometer.

Jellie you say you added a pinch of yeast two days ago, then I would say give it a stir. It can take a little time for the yeast to build up to large enough numbers for you to see any activity.

My brews take a day or so to start depending on the temp of where they are. I also use a starter bottle started at the same time as the must is made up so the yeast is already up and riunning when added. I have never added dry yeast so will bow out to those who have experience of it as it is outside mine to say how long it would take in such a situation for you to see activity.

[Snadger]

Early for elderflower? Is this a first for Zaz's other thread?

[shirlthegirl43]

I would say very very early for elderflower, I usually pick mine in June at the earliest.

[lainey lou]

Early for elderflower? Is this a first for Zaz's other thread?

Was just thinking tha same!

[Alison]

As I've said on the other thread, we have loads of elderflower out and I've just set up a bucket of champagne so fingers crossed. To be honest I did question if I'd got it totally wrong as so many people were saying it wasn't out yet and googled for piccies but it most defo is elderflower and when I picked it yesterday one of the trees had already gone a bit over.

[Hilary B]

As I've said on the other thread, we have loads of elderflower out and I've just set up a bucket of champagne so fingers crossed. To be honest I did question if I'd got it totally wrong as so many people were saying it wasn't out yet and googled for piccies but it most defo is elderflower and when I picked it yesterday one of the trees had already gone a bit over.

That is really strange! Elderflower here is only just showing buds! We have rowan in flower, and wayfarer, buth of which have similar looking (from a distance) flower heads. I would expect to be at least a couple of weeks ahead of anywhere that far north of this!

[Jelliebabe]

Alison - I Checked too (a couple of times) but yes I'm sure it's elderflower! I'll take a pic! I got mine from ASDA (outside the store! not inside)

[rustylady]

Elderflowers are still not out here, but it has been cold up until the last few days. I'm waiting with bated breath as I want to make some elderflower champagne this year. Possibly elderflower cordial too.

[Jeanied]

Alison - I Checked too (a couple of times) but yes I'm sure it's elderflower! I'll take a pic! I got mine from ASDA (outside the store! not inside)

Yay - The Asda in High Wycombe? Know it well. There are a few elder trees with fully open flowers on round here too - but the main bulk of flowers are still in bud - any day now they will be ready.
Maybe you picked a bit early in the season- before the natural yeasts had a chance to develop on the flowerheads? They say to pick fully open flowers on a warm sunny day in some of the recipes I've seen.

ETA - Jelliebabe I have just seen your photos on the other thread - those are not elderflowers and I don't know what you have used so I don't know if it safe to drink!