"DAve Allison" > wrote in message
...
> Hi, All. Long time since I posted, but I read almost daily...I learn a lot
> here.
>
> I am getting a large bushel basket of Elderberries from Ohio (dear soul
> has so many, so wanted to share). They are being picked today and I get
> them tomorrow.
> I am thinking wine or port, but either way - is there any best way to
> store these? I probably won't get around to it for a week or two.
>
> First, I will have them in the car for a 10 hour trip home (part of a
> visit to parents, so not just doing this for fruit) then will need a week
> until I get around to it.
>
> I've read Keller and googled, and have made wine and port before from
> Elderberries, just never had a delay in starting the process, so wondered
> from your experience what to do:
>
> 1. bag and leave along.
> 2. remove berries, bag and freeze
> 3. layout and ensure dry
> 4. freeze stems and all
>
> or any combination. I know freezing most fruits help break them down,
> thanks for anyone's replies.
> DAve

Dave,

I pick mine in three or four batches over the ripening season. Each batch
goes into the freezer until I'm ready to thaw and make wine. Some of my
favorites:
1. elderberry melomel
2. 80% concord, 20% elderberry fruit by weight. The elderberries mellow and
deepen the condords
3. Last year I made an elderberry, blackberry and concord melomel, equal
parts of each but it won't be ready to drink for another year or so.

Paul