Country wines question

[rje66]

Last year I made a few different wines(elderberry, rosehip, etc), tasted today and although they are OK but nothing special.just wondering do these types of wine need longer to improve

[bachus]

Hi,
How much and how you added elderberry, rosehip? What is acidity? Acids give wines their characteristic crisp, slightly tart taste. Rosehip is drinkable after 12 months, but should be aged for min 18-24 months. 

[rje66]

I followed cjj berry's recipes so fruit quantities should have been OK. . Fruits would have been mashed and boiling water added. Then strained off and  any additional stuff added. Acidity, no idea!!!.. do I need a refractometre???
Am happy to sit on these if I think they will mature ok.

[Will_D]

Bring some samples to the Boro and we can advise.

If lacking acidity you can always add a little extra tartaric acid - easily available from the HB shops