Elderflower Champagne

[bonkersdan]

I am trying out the river cottage elderflower champagne recipe, it says if fermentation doesnt start naturally that I can add some yeast, how much should I add?

 

[Speccy]

I made some on Saturday, and added about a third of a packet of champagne yeast to an 8-litre batch. It seems to be bubbling away quite happily.

 

[bonkersdan]

hmm, I only put in about 1/4 of a teaspoon, think I might add some more as it's not doing anything yet!

 

[JonnyD]

yeast is a funny thing, as long as you don't add too much (2tsps) you won't get a real yeasty flavour. However, if you've added some it will start but may take longer as it multiplies experientially. i would recommend 1tsp for a 20L batch. need to get mine on shortly! probs tomorrow!

 

[jacobyeah]

I have the 'river cottage handbook 12: booze' which has two recipes for elderflower champagne. The first is the one found on the internet, and the second involves fermenting down to 1010 to leave a measured amount of sugar in the bottle to condition and add fizz, which I followed. It also had the addition of wine concentrate.

It hasn't turned out too well. My fault though.
It fermented down to 990 roughhly but worse than that it smells awful, it an door of what can only be describe as are.
Is this a sanitation problem? Would it still have fermented out if it had got infected?
I did give it a sip and it was palatable with my nose held.

Any suggestions? Down the sink?

 

[syzygy]

I have an elderflower & strawberry on the go, what's the best way to get it sparkling after using finings (as i'd like it to be clear)?

Do I just add a bit of sugar & wait a bit longer?

Did a cider like this & it worked

 

[bonkersdan]

mine has come out really nice, if rather lively! took a bottle round to a friend's mother's wake and opened it, unfortunately it decided to fountain out of the bottle spraying all over the kitchen!