Major disaster today - we're having a major clear up, and during this I happened to glance at my stock of homemade alcohol. I'm down to my last 2 bottles of country wine and 6 bottles of cider! In a state of panic, I rushed back into the house and consulted our recipe box, looking under 'W' for wine and refreshed my memory on how we made the last batch.
We made 2 varieties: the 'Welsh Black' made from Sloes, Elderberries, Blackcurrants and Blackberries, and the 'Pimpernel' made from Blackcurrants, Redcurrants, Blackberries and Elderberries.
Unfortunately I haven't recorded the exact recipe for the Welsh Black, but I faithfully recorded the method for the Pimpernel as follows:
Equipment:
- Juicer. I bought a juicer for Jo when she was pregnant with Ben, as we had visions of lovely healthy fresh juice every day. Predictably we used it a few times and ever-after it has gathered dust in a cupboard. It found it's true vocation in the manufacture of country wine!
- Demi-Johns. In a local amenity depot whose exact location will remain nameless to protect the individuals involved, the following incident occurred: I arrived in a battered Polo with a bootload of rubbish, and dumped most of it; out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of 6 Demi-Johns, in perfect condition, placed near the base of the white glass recycling bin. I hesitated, amenity depot protocol means that one must ask the manager's permission to remove any item from the depot. With a sense of righteous duty I walked towards the manager's hut and asked the manager whether I could take the Demi-Johns. The manager dutifully toed the Monmouthshire County Council line and replied in a loud voice "I'm sorry Sir, but it is not allowed for any individual to remove any item from this Amenity Depot and it would be a breach of protocol for me to allow you to do so." With a heavy heart I walked back to the car and continued to unload the rubbish. The amenity depot was now deserted. The manager walked past me purposefully, obviously intent on inspecting the TV dumping area, on his way past me he whispered conversationally 'Further to our recent conversation, I'm going for a walk in a few minutes, and cannot be responsible for any events which occur in my absence.' This sentence was delivered with a large wink. After he ambled away, I loaded the Demi-Johns into the boot and drove away, singing a happy song!
- A Big Bucket. I use a fermentation bin, which I think back in time I bought from Wilkinsons (http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/home-brewing/wilko-fermenting-bin-and-lid-25lt/invt/0022555/?htxt=CqRsbJu%2FutV8PO2VUe7M5tbw0eF0%2BgiZGsyhRiL%2FA7J%2FD5ckTwx4gGk9NGxRQ2HoBcTxJmxJa8Ar%0AIS49VztZhg%3D%3D) and which does the job well, at a reasonable price.
- Blackberries: 1350g
- Elderberries: 900g
- Red & Blackcurrants: 918g
Using the juicer, I obtained the following results:
| Berry Weight (g) | Juice (ml) | |
| Blackberries | 1350 | 700 |
| Elderberries | 900 | 400 |
| Red & Blackcurrants | 918 | 600 |
| Total | 3168 | 1700 |
| Ratio | 54% |
To be continued!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
