"Roger Fuller" wrote:
I racked my elderberry wine last week and ended up with a real sticky
amber colored film in my carboy. Bleach wouldn't clean it very
easily. It was also on my wine thief after I got some out to check
SG. Anyone know what that could be? And perhaps an easy way to clean
it?

Probably some form of tannin deposit, possibly resin. If soaking in bleach
overnight doesn't do anything, try some form of acid (e.g. citric acid or
vinegar). If that doesn't help, put a handful of builders sand (the kind
used with cement to make concrete) in the carboy, add just enough water to
be able to swish it around, and do so. The sand acts like scouring powder,
without scratching the glass. Sal soda (washing soda) is also supposed to be
very good, but I've never tried it.