Grow Your Own Magazine

Headfry · #71 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 03:46 PM

Hi Hazel, great to read your parsnip postings! you seem to be doing a great job.
I have the CCJ Berry book too, tried the elderflower but all went.....errrm shall we say - not quiet right. will try again this year :-)

Hazel at the Hill · #72 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 07:04 PM

Thanks headfry! I'm not doing anything like elderflower wot with being a townie and not know what it looks like.

(*see Haze making deadly nightshade wine...

)

A week on and it looks much better - and I am now bouyed up enough to have a crack at celery wine.......

shirlthegirl43 · #73 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 07:05 PM

That is looking pretty good Hazel. Seems to be clearing really quickly.

Hazel at the Hill · #74 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 07:42 PM

Thanks Shirley

I aspire to your wine, which is crystal clear, kit or no kit...

Tastes v good, btw - have a glass here now....cheers!

scarey55 · #75 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 07:43 PM

Not too bad for a beginner

In fact, bleddy good for a beginner. Looks like you've got a bit of a flair for winemaking, well done.

Now..., all you've got to do is wait till forever before you can enjoy it

Hazel at the Hill · #76 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 07:48 PM

Thanks hon! You're right that the 'wait forever' bit is a HUGE disadvantage with making your own wine.

Hazel's sums say: 1 gallon of wine = 6 bottles = 1 month supply

therefore make one batch of wine a month...

BUT do you see the flaw in the plan??? Make 12 batches of wine over the next 12 months before you can actually DRINK any of the damn stuff!!

*drum fingers

shirlthegirl43 · #77 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 07:50 PM

Wow, one gallon a month - aren't you well behaved!

Glad you are enjoying mine - cheers!

scarey55 · #78 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shirlthegirl43

Wow, one gallon a month - aren't you well behaved!

Glad you are enjoying mine - cheers!

Crikey isn't she good

Was yours parsnip Shirl? If so, stop drinking now Haze... That's strong stuff if my sister's brew is anything to go by

shirlthegirl43 · #79 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 08:01 PM

Nope, 'fraid mine was the Young's Chardonnay kit from Wilko's. My proper brews so far number a gallon of elderflower which needs bottling, a gallon of banana liqueur which also needs bottling and I have made a couple of gallons from tinned rhubarb for Madmax. I made rhubarb and strawberry crumble for pudding on Sunday and the juice from the tinned fruit is now bubbling away merrily in a demijohn with a tin of red grape concentrate - smells delish!

scarey55 · #80 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 09:23 PM

Ooh, great idea.

KK is very partial to a glass of rhubarb wine. Might have a go at that next.

Hazel at the Hill · #81 (**permalink**) 13-02-2008, 07:28 PM

...I think it might be a bit strong.

Having cleared beautifully with the sediment all at the bottom, I've take Shirlthegirls advise and racked the wine off into another demijohn.

I measured the SG whilst I was about it, and had a little taste, as you do.

The sum is (1104 - 988)/7.36 = 15.75%.

Tastes quite nice, actually - a bit vanillery/chardonnay - but rather more like a spirit than a wine....

shirlthegirl43 · #82 (**permalink**) 13-02-2008, 07:29 PM

Looks extremely good Hazel. Give yourself a big pat on the back. Well done.

Hazel at the Hill · #83 (**permalink**) 13-02-2008, 07:34 PM

Thanks Shirley!

scarey55 · #84 (**permalink**) 13-02-2008, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazel at the Hill

...I think it might be a bit strong.

Hazel, what are you saying?

a bit strong - is there a problem??

Looks great and so clear already. As Shirley says, give yourself a pat on the back but don't have too much at once

Hazel at the Hill · #85 (**permalink**) 26-02-2008, 07:54 PM

....and this is wot it looks like now!

scarey55 · #86 (**permalink**) 26-02-2008, 07:57 PM

Crikey Hazel, that looks fantastic and so clear, truly well done to you.

Now... d'ya think you can leave it for a year

Hazel at the Hill · #87 (**permalink**) 26-02-2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarey55

Crikey Hazel, that looks fantastic and so clear, truly well done to you.

Thank you!

I am a bit chuffed on how clear it is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarey55

Now... d'ya think you can leave it for a year

Well I've been racking my brains on that one, and the answer will most likely be NO

except if it was squirrelled away somewhere safe.

I was thinking of my mum's shed, but it'll get to warm, and the daft ol' bat might drink the stuff, anyway.

I'm going to stick it in the garage somewhere inaccessible, I think....