2017 elderberry wine question

[Ajstew]

Hi
We’ve acquired 2 demijohns of elderberry wine from a relatives house clearance, labelled as 2017. The airlocks are dry and it’s not been racked. It tastes ok, if yeasty.

Is it safe to rack and drink, and what can be done about the yeast flavour?

Thanks

A

 

[Maylar]

It's been sitting on the lees for 8 years? Hmmm... can you filter it?

 

[Ajstew]

It's been sitting on the lees for 8 years? Hmmm... can you filter it?

There’s some kit too, muslins/straining bag so yes it could be strained. Would that be better than just racking/syphoning?

 

[Raptor99]

It's probably safe to drink. Whether or not it is good depends. The chief dangers are oxidation, which will cause a lingering burn on the back of your throat, or the growth of acetic acid bacteria, which will make it taste like vinegar.

If it is sitting on lees, I would rack it off the lees rather than straining it. Straining it introduces more oxygen, which is bad at this point.

Take a sample and mix in a little sugar. See how it tastes. If it tastes good, stabilize and backsweeten, and bottle it.

 

[Yooper]

There’s some kit too, muslins/straining bag so yes it could be strained. Would that be better than just racking/syphoning?

NO! Oxidizing it even more would be the worst thing you could do.