Your favorite country wine?

mew · 04-29-2007, 04:33 PM

It seems that alot of the fun with wine making comes from exploring country wine recipes. Many of these wines are rarely sold in stores and (I've heard) are just as good or better than grape wines. But because they aren't often sold in stores, I don't know which country wine I'd like. What is your favorite kind of country wine?

**Yooper** · 04-29-2007, 11:11 PM

My favorite (that I've not yet made myself) is my friend's chokecherry wine. Best wine I've ever had!

My favorite of the ones I make is rhubarb, believe it ot not. It tastes like a fruitier pinot grigio. I ferment it to dry, and serve it chilled. It is a clear crisp white wine. And the funny thing is, I usually prefer big bold reds! My husband's favorite is dandelion or blackberry.

mew · 04-30-2007, 02:30 AM

Rhubarb and dandelion sound intriguing! I've got so many things I want to try.

**Yooper** · 04-30-2007, 12:14 PM

I know, I know! It's gotten to the point that I'm in the grocery store and farmer's markets, eyeing up anything that I think might ferment! Some ideas: mangos, pumpkin, sour cherries.

Some other winners: banana wine (made with overripe bananas on sale for .19/pound); blueberry wine (but takes way too many blueberries!); strawberry wine.

One thing on the "ick" list, at least so far: tomato wine. I heard it was good, but when I bottled it, I thought it tasted like pizza. Very gaggy at that point, but I'll open it in about 6 months and see if it improved. My husband like it, but I think it was pretty awful.

**RichBrewer** · 04-30-2007, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yooper Chick

One thing on the "ick" list, at least so far: tomato wine. I heard it was good, but when I bottled it, I thought it tasted like pizza. Very gaggy at that point, but I'll open it in about 6 months and see if it improved. My husband like it, but I think it was pretty awful.

I wonder if it might be good to cook with?

**Yooper** · 04-30-2007, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichBrewer

I wonder if it might be good to cook with?

I'm sure it would be, especially for Italian dishes. It's a beautiful golden color and smells great. I'm going to reserve judgement until one year in the bottle, though- then if it is still "ick", it will be a cooking wine.

N3WWN · 07-09-2007, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yooper Chick

My favorite (that I've not yet made myself) is my friend's chokecherry wine. Best wine I've ever had!

Hi Yooper Chick...

I don't suppose you have access to your friend's recipe for chokecherry wine, do you?

I have lots of chokecherry trees near my new house and I'd love to try some!

Thanks!

-Rich

emmab1896 · 07-09-2007, 04:55 PM

i'm making elderflower wine at the moment but i managed to find an elderflower cordial in a local farm shop to get an idea of the taste before i started. and also i went to a local real ale festival and there was a table with country wines for you to try, thats where i got my inspiration to start brewing from.

lustreking · 07-09-2007, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yooper Chick

Some other winners: banana wine (made with overripe bananas on sale for .19/pound); blueberry wine (but takes way too many blueberries!); strawberry wine.

Can you share your banana wine recipe?

Thanks,
-S

dutchboy62 · 07-09-2007, 05:45 PM

i love strawberry wine and have my first attempt in my primary now. blackberry is also very good im intrigued by the sound of banana and will def have to try that