Traditional fruit, flower, vegetable and herb wines — tested, practical recipes for the home winemaker.
25 recipes
Quince has been cultivated for thousands of years and was historically prized in Europe for its fragrance rather than its raw eating quality. In winemaking, it is one of the most aromatic fruits available, producing a…
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Raspberries have long been used in traditional British country winemaking due to their abundance and intense natural flavour. They produce one of the most aromatic fruit wines available, with a balance of sweetness an…
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Redcurrants are a traditional British garden fruit valued for their tart flavour and high natural acidity. While often used in jellies and sauces, they also make an excellent base for wine due to their clarity of flav…
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Rhubarb has long been a staple of British allotments and gardens, particularly valued for pies, jams, and home winemaking. Its naturally high acidity makes it ideal for producing crisp, refreshing wines when balanced …
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Rosehips have long been used in traditional UK hedgerow winemaking, especially in times when imported citrus fruits were scarce. Their naturally high vitamin C content and tart, apple-citrus flavour made them a valuab…
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The rowan tree has long been associated with British and Scottish folklore, where it was regarded as a tree of protection and good fortune. Although the berries are too bitter for most people to enjoy raw, they have t…
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Sloes are the fruit of the blackthorn, one of Britain's most widespread hedgerow shrubs. For centuries they have been used in traditional preserves, syrups, and the famous sloe gin but they also produce one of the fin…
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Sweet cherries have been enjoyed in Britain for centuries, particularly in orchard-growing regions. While sour cherries are more commonly associated with traditional European winemaking, sweet cherries produce a gentl…
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Strawberries have been cultivated in Britain since the eighteenth century and have become one of the nation's favourite summer fruits. Their sweet aroma and vibrant flavour make them an excellent choice for country wi…
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Blackberries (brambles) are one of the most abundant wild fruits in the UK and have been used for centuries in rural winemaking. Traditionally foraged from hedgerows in late summer, they were often combined with apple…
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Blackcurrants have been cultivated in Britain for centuries and are particularly associated with traditional jams, cordials, and preserves. Their intense aroma and deep colour make them ideal for winemaking, producing…
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Wild cherries have been foraged in Britain for centuries, often from hedgerows and woodland edges. Unlike cultivated sweet cherries, wild varieties tend to be smaller, sharper, and more complex in flavour, making them…
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