Yard Full of Dandelions

[xanxer82]

The yard is full of them. Instead of breaking out the sprayer, I was thinking about making wine.
There are no pesky dogs in the yard to pee on them either.
What should I look for while harvesting them? How much do I need to make a gallon of wine?
Is there a recipie in the forum already? I'll look in my Making Wild Wines & Meads tomorrow.

 

[arcticsid]

there is indeed Dan, let me see if I can find a couple links for you

You only want the peatles, no leaves, no green.

 

[Tom]

Please use the SEARCH in this forum.
If you look on the home page there is a section called RECIPES. In there you can find almost anything including Dandelion wine
http://www.winemakingtalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=2

 

[djrockinsteve]

Please use the SEARCH in this forum.
If you look on the home page there is a section called RECIPES. In there you can find almost anything including Dandelion wine
http://www.winemakingtalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=2

Cowabunga! I never looked at the "Recipe Section", this is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Wade E]

You never looked at the recipe section?????????????????? You people need to have a look around here and take off your blinders! Look at the album area also. I made a 3 gallon batch of dandy last year and sweetened it with real good honey and everyone loves it, I really didnt like it till I sweetened it with honey. I only used the petals. Many actually do make it with using the full heads though.

 

[Minnesotamaker]

I've made dandelion three times using different recipes, and I was disappointed every time (all three recipes used only the yellow petals pulled from the green cusps). I won't be making it again; it's too much work for a wine that takes up space in the cellar that no one likes.

 

[djrockinsteve]

You never looked at the recipe section?????????????????? You people need to have a look around here and take off your blinders! Look at the album area also. I made a 3 gallon batch of dandy last year and sweetened it with real good honey and everyone loves it, I really didnt like it till I sweetened it with honey. I only used the petals. Many actually do make it with using the full heads though.

Gonna need another ink cartridge for the printer.

 

[arcticsid]

Tom type in "dandelion" in the search, not much shows up. wonder if there would be any way to improve the search in here. try it for yourself!

 

[Wade E]

Oh boy was it a lot of work and my back ached for days from that!!!!!!! Welcome Minnmaker. I remember you from Winepress. Please dont tell me the site is down again!

 

[Wade E]

Gonna need another ink cartridge for the printer.

Save to disc!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Racer]

I've made dandelion three times using different recipes, and I was disappointed every time (all three recipes used only the yellow petals pulled from the green cusps). I won't be making it again; it's too much work for a wine that takes up space in the cellar that no one likes.

I'm not too crazy about dandelion wine either but do like using them as an additon to a wine. I made a 3 gallon batch of strawberry jam wine last year and added a quart and a half of dandelion petals at the start. I did backsweeten to taste and can say it turned out pretty good. As a matter of fact a few co-workers were given a bottle about a week ago. I got some really good reviews from them all.

 

[Dugger]

A friend made some of this and it was very good - sounds like too much work though so I think I'll just let him do it and let him share it with me!
Luc is the dandelion king so where are you, Luc? ( probably out picking them now).

 

[xanxer82]

It's raining today so all of the flowers are closed.
Maybe I will harvest enough for a 1 gallon batch tomorrow if it's sunny.
Found a recipe in Making Wild Wines and Meads on page 81.

 

[ffemt128]

I have friends that make this every year. In the past it has been very good. I haven't talked to them in a while (they live in somerset county) but I'm sure they are still making it. I was already told I'm not allowed to make dandelion wine. My wife doesn't like it...

 

[Luc]

Last year I published my dandelion-strawberry wine, made with strawberry Jam. it was a great hit.
http://wijnmaker.blogspot.com/2009/04/paardenloem-aardbeien-wijn-dandelion.html

They years before I did straight dandelion: 30 liter
meaning picking 4500 dandelion petals.............
(75 gram dandelion per liter being 150 flowerpetals per liter).

This year I am aiming for an dandelion-ginger recipe.

All came out very well.

Dandelions are just starting over here, we had a long and cold winter so everything is a bit later as usual.
Anyway I will be picking soon........

Luc

 

[xanxer82]

So I did 1 gallon of must. Added Kmeta and now it's resting and waiting for the sulfites to wear off. Will pitch yeast tomorrow.
I used about 6 cups of petals, 2.5lb of sugar (will adjust to proper SG tomorrow) 1lb of golden raisins. Will add 1 tbsp of acid blend and 1 tsp of nutrient before pitching yeast.
I also used 1 green tea bag for some complexity.