Aging Elderberry Skeeter?

SarahRides · Oct 16, 2011

As I'm getting ready to bottle my Elderberry Skeeter, has anyone noticed any benefits of aging this? I know that the general consensus for plain skeeter was that it doesn't really need to be aged.......but I know plain elderberry is better aged........just wondering other people experiences! Thanks.

docanddeb · Oct 16, 2011

I have some 2 yrs old and it's amazing!! Ice Cold!
It went through a "phase" where I didn't like it as much for a few months, then came back even better! I make it every year with my elderberries. They are such a pain to deal with (green slime) that I use them to death before dumping in the compost pile!

Debbie

Arne · Oct 17, 2011

I was not completely happy with the elder pee. Time I got to the last bottles, tho, it was getting better. For some reason, I am not a great fan of the elderberry wine either. Still in the carboy, and seems to be getting a little bit better. I think the answer is elderberry just is not one of my favorite flavors. Arne.

docanddeb · Oct 18, 2011

Do you drink your wine dry, semi or sweet? That could be the difference too. We add a little citric acid before bottling to balance it. Elderberry is high in tannin and low in acid. Mixed with raspberry is amazing!

Debbie

Arne · Oct 19, 2011

docanddeb said:
Do you drink your wine dry, semi or sweet? That could be the difference too. We add a little citric acid before bottling to balance it. Elderberry is high in tannin and low in acid. Mixed with raspberry is amazing!

Debbie

Going to be going to the brew store here in the next month or so. Mite have to pick up some citric acid and try it with a little of it in there. Had acid blend in there, but maybe not enough. Thanks for the tip. Arne.

SarahRides · Oct 19, 2011

After reading about it on here, I did add some citric to a few of the wines! It did add a little more punch to them. I usually drink my wines pretty dry, Skeeter I usually sweeten, but not a lot. I'll probably save a few bottles out for drinking around the holidays and put the rest away to age for a while. I made this skeeter from a batch of elderberry wine that I have aging in a carboy now. It smells really good!