Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
3:41 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
Offline
I wondered if you'd like a recipe. I happened upon THIS blog with the recipe and I liked the pictures too.
I'll try that again!
5:15 pm
Supreme Being
Thu 24-Sep-09
Offline
I'll never make elderberry champagne, but I have bookmarked this site. I loved the post below about her memories of her Nana. Thanks Toni. I think I shall enjoy her blog.
Old teachers never die, they just lose their class
6:05 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
Offline
I'm glad you like her blog Danuta, she is another of those 'gentle writers' that I like so much. I have so many blogs on my Google Reader now that it take an age to read them all, but at least I don't miss a posting.
I'll try that again!
6:36 pm
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
Offline
I know the feeling TA, I have so many blogs to read too and I have work to do. 
I agree with Danuta though, it was a lovely read about her Nana
10:49 pm
Supreme Being
New members
Tue 22-Sep-09
Offline
I've stopped reading blogs because before I know it, the evening has gone, I just check in on you guys now and make sure everyone is behaving.
Still waiting for our elderflowers to flower.
7:03 am
Councillor
Wed 30-Dec-09
Offline
I've started seeing elderflowers on my way to work so I expect the ones on the local field are ready for harvesting. I really should go and pick some soon but I've been too busy this week. Maybe tomorrow...
Visit my blog for food, drink, photography and hamsters.
2:59 pm
Sat 12-Aug-06
Offline
bobquail said:
I've started seeing elderflowers on my way to work
Does Mrs Downey know about this, Mike? 
Never knowingly underfed
10:49 pm
Councillor
Wed 30-Dec-09
Offline
Danny said:
bobquail said:
I've started seeing elderflowers on my way to work
Does Mrs Downey know about this, Mike?
Ooo errr...
The not-quite-yet-mrs (we've not tied the knot yet) introduced me to elderflowers so she's only got herself to blame 
Visit my blog for food, drink, photography and hamsters.
10:41 pm
Supreme Being
New members
Tue 22-Sep-09
Offline
Right, help please...what am I doing wrong?
There is no risk at the moment of any exploding bottles with the elderflower champagne as it's not even started to create any froth in the container I have it soaking in, I added a pinch of yeast yesterday, and it's till doing nothing except going slightly brownish.
As for the cordial, I bottled it, after filtering through a jelly bag, it seems to have quite a heavy sediment, is it supposed to have?, do i need to filter it again through coffee filter papers or something, or should I just leave it?
I had a taste this morning and it was nice, a faint elderberryish taste, musky maybe, does that sound right?
11:49 pm
Supreme Being
New members
Tue 22-Sep-09
Offline
Still nothing happening with the elderflower champers, I even added a pinch of yeast nutrient last night - do I give up and tip it out, I suppose I've onyl wasted the price of the sugar and a couple of lemons.
8:45 pm
Councillor
Wed 30-Dec-09
Offline
If you added a campden tablet then that normally needs a day to 'wear off' before the yeast will start working but it sounds like it's definitely had long enough. One suggestion - sieve it into a pan, warm it up a bit, give it a good whisk to get plenty of air in, then add some more yeast. Possibly add a 'yeast starter' instead of dried yeast.
I've sometimes made wine where it's taken a few days to get started and it's really frustrating. I hope you manage to get it started.
Visit my blog for food, drink, photography and hamsters.
7:05 pm
Supreme Being
New members
Tue 22-Sep-09
Offline
Got the other problem now, bottled it yesterday morning (into plastic screw top bottles) and sat it on the side in the kitchen, was a bit excited about it, and so checked an hour later to see if anything had happened, and already the pressure was enought o create quite a 'fizz' when I undid one top, as the day wore on it got worse and worse and I could hear cracks and pops as the bottles expanded regularly, so ended up releasing gas ever few hours.
It got too much for me in the end and before we went out last night, I decanted the bulk of it into a demijohn and put an airlock on, which is now bubbling away merrily. However I dont want to lose all the fizz, so should I put it back in bottles and continue to fret, or leave it in the demijohn for a few days then re-bottle. Also just a last point, it smells a bit eggy, if you get my meaning, is that right?
9:19 pm
Councillor
Wed 30-Dec-09
Offline
I've not personally had 'eggy' wine but I've read of others having it and it often disperses during fermentation. I'd leave it in the demijohn til fermentation has slowed down then bottle it, possibly adding a pinch more sugar if it's gone very dry.
When I make fizzy elderflower wine or cider I usually leave it in the demijohn til the bubbles have really slowed down then bottle it, adding 1 tsp of sugar per litre. There's usually enough yeast to give it enough pressure.
Visit my blog for food, drink, photography and hamsters.
9:37 pm
Supreme Being
New members
Tue 22-Sep-09
Offline
Thanks Mike
I'll take your advice and leave till it has slowed down a bit then risk bottling. I did have about a litre that I couldnt fit into the demijohn, and I split that between 2 bottles (each bottle was 1 ltre size) but I'm worried there might be too much of an airgap, i'm releasing the air on those twice a day.
Most Users Ever Online: 767
Currently Online:
27 Guest(s)
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
brightspark: 10535
danast: 10232
Aly: 9516
Sooliz: 8084
Hattie: 6920
Ambersparkle: 6699
JoannaS: 4800
Terrier: 4518
eileen54: 4424
Hannah: 4231
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 11
Members: 16222
Moderators: 3
Admins: 1
Forum Stats:
Groups: 6
Forums: 25
Topics: 2273
Posts: 123063
Newest Members:
maximllPl, RobertasseK, EdwardDum, Suzanneclics, Brianalile, JamesSlopsModerators: Toffeeapple: 16337, AdminTA: 10, Fiona Nevile: 0
Administrators: Danny: 5517
