Damson, Blackberry and Elderberry Wine

Thought I would use up the bits and bobs from the freezer so made up a mixed fruit wine to see how it turns out

Recipe for 1 1/2 Gallons:

1 lb 9 oz Elderberry

1 lb 4 oz Blackberry

1 lb 15 oz Damsons

1 lb 3 1/2 oz Chopped Raisins

1 1/2 tsp Pectalose

1 1/2 tsp Citric Acid

1/1/2 Campden Tablets

7 Pints of boiling water

2 Pints of boiling water to mix with sugar

3lb Sugar

Youngs Burgundy red wine yeast

1 tsp Yeast Nutrient

Day 1 - 22/09/2011 - getting started

I started by cleaning and sterilizing the fermenting barrel an emptying all the fruit inside including the chopped raisins. I then pour 7 pints of boiling water over them and let the mixture cool down, then added the Pectalose and citric acid. I would have added the Campden Tablets but I did not have any so I will get some tomorrow. I will the leave the must till tomorrow night before I pitch.

Day 2 - 23/09/2011 - Pitching

I add the campden tablets, and the yeast nutrient, and then the sugar dissolved in 2 pints of boiling water to the must. I then created a yeast starter with some luke warm water, a teaspoon of water and the yeast, after 15min when it was frothing, I pitched it into the fermenter.

Day 3 - 24/09/2011 - Froth and juiciness

Checked the must this morning and the fruit has broken down nicely, and there are nice bubbles rising around them. Used a spatula to stir the mixture and pressed the fruit against the side to help them break down further. Will continue to do the same for the next few days.

Day 7 - 28/09/2011 - Racked looks great!
Racked off the wine today, usual method of pouring through funnel with muslin cloth, and squeezed out the juice. Managed to get 1 and a 1/2 demijohns, and the wine looks fantastic and is blood red. Already going great guns and bubbling nicely.


Here is a pic of the wine with the apple wine behind



Day 53 -13/11/2009 - Second racking off

Racked off the wine again today which went nice and smoothly. Had a little taste and it seemed very nice indeed :)