First of the Summer wine...

You may remember that last July I made a batch of honeysuckle wine. Making wine is a slow process requiring patience and care with each stage, so it wasn’t until the late autumn that I bottled my five precious bottles of summer sunshine. I tried a glass at Christmas and, whilst it was powerful and drinkable, there was a sharpness to it so I decided to wait a little longer.

My wine is now seven months old and, as it’s my birthday this month (any excuse), I thought I would taste a glass to see how it is doing.

Oh dear, I was only going to take a taste but as it turned out I managed half a bottle and then half a bottle more. After seven months it tastes like hot sunshine, more like a subtle whisky than a wine and it warms as it trickles down. I could drink it all now but I won’t, or at least I’ll try not to. I want to see how it is after a year and maybe even keep a bottle to see what it is like after two years (place your bets please).

For my birthday I will try the carrot, and I still have the elderflower I made last May to bottle. I kept it in the Demijohn as an experiment. The only problem is I’ve forgotten what the experiment was!

My next winemaking challenge is dandelion. I will let you know how that goes when I can get the flowers in April. One thing is for sure though, given the way my honeysuckle has turned out, I shall be making more wine this year.

Cheers!