Tom S wrote:
>
> I get what you mean, but aren't the brambles (strictly speaking) the thorns
> themselves, rather than the fruit that accompanies them?

In one sense, I guess so. But to gardeners, the term is used for the
whole plant, generically. I don't think there's much chance of anybody
eating anything except the berries, especially the thorns. 'Tho I can
see how you get the idea that brambles taste like blood.


> I've occasionally thought that a barrel aged blackberry wine would be
> _really_ nice - but who could afford to make one? Enough berries to fill a
> 228 liter barrel (plus topping) would cost a _fortune_! I could probably
> buy Rutherford Cabernet for less.

Perhaps a bit less than you'd think. My best batch used only 6 pounds of
fruit and two pounds of sugar per gallon. Maybe 375 lbs fruit? I wonder
what you can get Oregon blackberries for in season? It might work out to
$3-$4 per bottle.

HTH, Mike MTM