Elderflower champagne help needed

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Elderflower champagne help needed

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Green Rosie

Joined: 13 May 2007
Posts: 10498
Location: Calvados, France

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 15 5:42 pm Post subject: Elderflower champagne help needed
I have made a batch of elderflower champagne but realised after bottling it that I did not add any vinegar as stated in the recipe. It appeared a bit more syruppy than normal with a touch of scum on the surface. It has not started to fizz. So, have I messed it up completely or can it be rescued ... or is it even safe to try and rescue?

Falstaff

Joined: 27 May 2009
Posts: 1014

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 15 6:24 pm Post subject:
Did you put yeast in ? - if not - do so ! Personally I never use vinegar. Lemon juice or citric acid is all my ferments ever get in the way of acids ! No you haven't wrecked it at all - it's just not started yet Edit PS tip it out of teh bottles back into your bucket and start your ferment in the bulk.

Green Rosie

Joined: 13 May 2007
Posts: 10498
Location: Calvados, France

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 15 7:11 pm Post subject:
Thanks Falstaff - I did add lemon juice. I have Doves Farm quick yeast - is that OK to add direct and if so how much?

Falstaff

Joined: 27 May 2009
Posts: 1014

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 15 7:50 pm Post subject:

A quick google shows that to be bread yeast - It should be ok as long as you're not going for high alcohol levels.

I haven't seen your recipe but I'd say juice of 1 - 2 lemons, 1 tsp yeast and a quarter pint of strong black tea per gallon (5L) - and a damn good shake to aereate the brew - should be enough to have it working away shortly !

Edit - yes just chuck it in , it'll do fine !

Then get yourself one of these

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/First-Steps-in-Winemaking-By-C-J-J-Berry-9781854861399-/301550724301?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4635d2e4cd

and learn how to be a happy camper most of the time

Green Rosie

Joined: 13 May 2007
Posts: 10498
Location: Calvados, France

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 15 9:02 pm Post subject:
Thanks Falstaff

snowball
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 6240
Location: swindon

Posted: Fri Jun 19, 15 11:58 am Post subject:
I added a teaspoon of bread yeast to mine yesterday. It is now fermenting very nicely. I did add cider vinegar at the beginning, out of curiosity as much as anything else. I also used lemons.

Falstaff

Joined: 27 May 2009
Posts: 1014

Posted: Fri Jun 19, 15 6:26 pm Post subject:
Was your ferment stuck too Snowball ? I really can't imagine why the people who write these recipes don't use yeast ! - Well they do ! - but they rely on that on the flowers already - wierd !

snowball
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 6240
Location: swindon

Posted: Sat Jun 20, 15 8:00 am Post subject:
Yes, well, it didn't start. I think the idea is that it uses the natural yeasts in the air. Works for sourdough bread, but not elderflower champagne it would seem.

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