really old wine

[tonyhibbett]

I spoke to someone today who had a gallon each of elderberry and elderflower wine at the back of her shed which had been sitting there for 12 years. I suggested that the elderberry could be worth unearthing but the elderflower may well have gone senile. Bit of a poll question, I suppose. Is it worth sorting out her shed to find the elderberry wine to unearth a fabulous find or a futile exercise to unearth some crap?

 

[RobWalker]

do it!

 

[morethanworts]

I've got an unopened Beaverdale Californian Red bottle which I did made around 2001. Not holding out much hope for that. Can't bring myself to open it!

 

[LeithR]

I say "DO IT" if for no other reason but to satisfy your curiosity.

 

[nook6]

Do It

What have you got to lose?? If nothing else they might be in djs, then its two more djs for you lol

Dave

 

[graysalchemy]

Well As my tag below says I have a bottle of elderberry port from 1993 :party: :party: :party: and I don't intend drinking for another 5 yrs.

My youngest port (bar that which has been made in the last 2 yrs) is probably 10 yrs old and i have plenty which is 12-15 yrs old.

I may also have a few elderberry wine and one blackberry which must be getting on for 18 yrs old.

I also chucked out some DJ's of elderberry which was 7-8 yrs old which had been negected, they had turned virtually clear bar a faint brown tinge. They had oxidised and light had struck them.

I remember 20 odd yrs ago having a taste of a hedgerow wine which had been bottled in the 1920's, though it wasn't great it was quite drinkable, but was amazing to think that we were tasting something made nearly 70 yrs before in a bygone age, a slice of history.

I would say definately have a look, you never know what you may find.

 

[bobsbeer]

Go for it. You never know unless you try. :grin:

 

[Brewtrog]

Go for it, no point getting shot of something (or not looking for something) just because you're worried it might not be worth it. It's most likely going to taste good, unless it's not been kept well.

 

[hypnoticmonkey]

I remember 20 odd yrs ago having a taste of a hedgerow wine which had been bottled in the 1920's, though it wasn't great it was quite drinkable, but was amazing to think that we were tasting something made nearly 70 yrs before in a bygone age, a slice of history.

Got to think the 'not great' element could probably be down to the production methods of the time, too!

All in all, I'd say go for it! It might be rough, either because of the way it was made or the way it's been stored, but it's worth looking to find out.

 

[mwestin]

neighbour unearthed some homebrew whilst clearing out a loft - apparently the elderflower brewed in the 60's is superb - but there was a lot of other stuff that was really nice.

My mum's beetroot sherry from the 70's is amazing, and only really used for tasters now as so little left. I have done some this year and am hoping i can keep some as long as she did.

 

[wezil]

Yep just go for it! (you get a couple of free dj's if all else fails)!!

 

[tonyhibbett]

Well an enthusiastic and interesting response. I will let her decide. A lifetime's experience with women tells me don't get sucked in!

 

[Tim_Crowhurst]

A lifetime's experience with women tells me don't get sucked in!

That's something I've never understood about straight men and lesbians. When you spent the first nine months of your life trying to get out, why would you want to spend so much effort trying to get back in?

/tongueincheek

Getting back to the original topic, it is my intention that a lot of my wine will be stored long-term, so it can be enjoyed at its best. I have a demijohn of elderberry wine and another of hedgerow port, which will be put aside for my brother's 20th wedding anniversary. Since he's only been shackled for 12 days so far, that's quite some way off. I intend making a demijohn of wine for each of his children around the time each is born, to be enjoyed on their 21st birthdays or graduations, depending on which comes later. Judging by the genetics involved, I'm counting on graduations :mrgreen:

 

[peteplus1]

Get em cracked open boy. As a keen new to brewing hedgerow enthusiast, id love to know how the elderberry is. Hear a lot about keeping this berry wine for several years to age. Wjich is often easier said than done! So do tell once sampled please. You should have quite the opening ceremony too with fanfares, a guest taster, music and streamers. Ok, maybe not.