Blackberry Wine Attempt

[chef willie]

My old neighbor when I first moved to Oregon in '79, Leo, made some killer wines from local fruits and berries he would gather. He always seemed to have a gallon jug on top of the fridge percolating away. Retired, he did everything old school. Huge garden, canned everything, pretty much lived off his labors. Anyway, I moved but stayed in touch and started brewing beer and remembered the wines so I wrote him and asked for the recipe. By this time Leo was pushing late 80's and he wrote back saying there was no official recipe. He learned how to make it from his first mother-in-law, an old Irish woman who hated him. LMAO at that but could understand. Regardless, I got the 'recipe' in '89 and never made it. I found it last week going through some old papers. It's perfect blackberry picking time here now so went out and plucked a big bucket full off my fence line and started the process. Leos long gone and 24 years later I'm finally getting to it. I really hope this makes the grade.....Thanks Leo

wine.jpg

• chef willie
• Aug 2, 2013

 

[themule69]

It is going to be real good. To bad the blackberry season is over here.

Happy smoken.

David

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Can't wait to see how this turns out. I make cider all the time. In fact we need another batch! When I was at the coast last week the berries still weren't ripe yet. Another week or two. Maybe they'll be ripe when I head down in a few weeks.

 

[chef willie]

Can't wait to see how this turns out. I make cider all the time. In fact we need another batch! When I was at the coast last week the berries still weren't ripe yet. Another week or two. Maybe they'll be ripe when I head down in a few weeks.

Yeah, I used to cheat & make cider outta organic unfiltered apple juice from the Co-Op in Corvallis. Was a real fun Thanksgiving one year I must say. About another month my Italian plum trees should be in full swing. Some smaller ones are already dropping to the ground. Thank goodness I had the foresight to consume 3 gallons of wine in jugs over the winter so I would have enough of them for this project......Willie

 

[smokingbunny]

The trouble with Blackberry, is it never clears.  I've still got some from a couple of years back and it's still not clear, far from it actually.

 

[smokesontuesday]

 
The trouble with Blackberry, is it never clears.  I've still got some from a couple of years back and it's still not clear, far from it actually.

Clear or not it can be mighty fine to drink. My buddy brews batches of Black and Blue every year (50/50 Blackberry and Blueberry) and it's delicious. 

 

[ernesttbass]

I'm very interested in how this turns out as well.  Recipe?

 

[Bearcarver]

I can tell you now, it's gonna be Awesome, Willie!!

I like the color you got there.

I had an Uncle who used to make all kinds of wine---Blackberry, Black Raspberry, Dandelion, Strawberry, and Wineberry.

The Wineberry was my favorite!!! Also my favorite berry.

You got Wineberries out there in Oregon??

Bear

 

[GaryHibbert]

Beautiful color, Willie.  If it won't clear, try a clearing agent like Sparkaloid or something like it--you can pick it up at a wine or beer making supply store for very little cost.  I used to use it on all my wines and meads.

Gary