How do I make Elderberry wine?

**Two_Sheds** · 14-08-2014, 07:48 AM

have you tried using the famous search engine?

**Two_Sheds** · 14-08-2014, 07:51 AM

There are also lots of recipes within our own winemaking forum, Juicy Gossip. Here are just a couple to get you started:

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ine_38389.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...wine_2352.html

**Kirk** · 14-08-2014, 01:13 PM

I tend to assume no hard and fast rules, mainly I have read so many different options that there seems a general idea to follow and that is it.

Try:
Bucket and hydrometer to get going.

3lbs elderberry,
1Kg bag of sugar, (maybe more)
1 litre of red grape juice,
Citric acid (lemon juice),
Wine yeast

Start off a yeast starter = Wine yeast, warm water (half a cup), 1 teaspoon sugar.
Put 4 pints of water in the bucket, boil about 1 pint in a kettle then add that (5 pints so far).
Add sugar (most of the bag), add grape juice, add elderberries, add citric acid (try half a lemon or the whole of one),
Drop hydrometer in and get SG to around 1.105 - 1.110 by adding more sugar.
Add yeast starter, cover well and stir daily.

After a week sieve the lot and put into a DJ, add airlock and wait patiently.
Rack at least once as there will be a fair bit of crud falling out of it.

You can add more elderberries, just 3lb is about the normal.
It will not come out as dark as you would think.
Elderberries are high in tannin so it could take 1 to 2 years to be drinkable.

1.105 to 1.110 will give 14% alcohol.
I would get a Gervins GV2 (No2) wine yeast if possible, Gervins Var D being another, otherwise the standard offering from Wilkinsons.

You will have to get all the little green stalks and bit off the elderberries.

You can throw in other fruits as well, blackberries being the obvious, I tend to simply see what I have doing nothing and it gets chopped and added in small amounts.

**4390evans** · 15-08-2014, 04:14 PM

fab thanks for that. I have been googling away and people make it sound so hard! I get confused easily. there is loads out the back and think Ill be able to make a good 10 bottles. Shame it wont be ready for christmas though, maybe next year

**hamamelis** · 15-08-2014, 08:31 PM

I'll be starting off my blackberry/elderberry wine tonight. I'm using the recipe from "Booze for free", for the third year: 2kg mixed blackberries and elderberries, 1.5kg sugar, juice of a lemon and half a cup of black tea (or not, if you're using largely elderberries), plus some yeast nutrient, yeast, and 4l water. Largely the same as the above recipe, but without the grape juice, and with a bit more sugar to make up for it. Personally, I prefer not to add grapes when making hedgerow wines, but that's me.

I'm drinking some of last year's batch in an attempt to inspire myself to get on with it. It's not bad