Very Good Berry Book

I recently discovered a very good book for those who are interested in gathering and using wild fruits and berries: The Rocky Mountain Berry Book

Homemade Plum Wine

We found a huge amount of wild plums this fall and after filling my cabinets with wild plum jelly, I used some more by starting a batch of this wine. The recipe calls for regular plums, but it appears to be working well with wild plums.

Easy Plum Wine

3 1/2 pounds ripe plums
4 pounds granulated sugar
1 package yeast
1 gallon boiling water

Wash plums and pour on boiling water. Stir and mash with wooden spoon. Leave for ten days. Remove mold carefully. Strain off into another bowl and add sugar, yeast and stir. Cover and stir daily for three days. Bottle and store - ready in six months, better after nine!

Homemade Grape Wine

I've got a batch in the crock right now - here's the recipe for anyone who would like to try some.

Homemade Grape Wine

3 pounds black grapes
3 pounds sugar
1 ounce yeast
1 gallon water

Crush grapes by hand and set aside in the fermenting vessel. Bring the water to boiling point and pout in sugar. When the water reaches boiling point again and the sugar is dissolved, but off heat and pour sugar liquid over grapes. Allow mixture to cool, sprinkle yeast on top. Stir in, cover with plastic wrap tied in place with a string. Ferment 14 days, strain and bottle.