Dandelion Country Wine

Total timeline: 210 days (30 fermentation + 180 aging)

  1. Day 0

    Pick petals

    Pluck only yellow petals on a sunny morning. Green parts make the wine bitter.

  2. Day 0

    Boil + steep

    Pour boiling sugar-water over petals; steep 24h covered.

  3. Day 1

    Strain + add citrus

    Strain off petals; add lemon, orange juice, Campden.

  4. Day 2

    Pitch yeast

    After 24h add nutrient and yeast.

  5. Day 2-9

    Primary

    Ferment 5-7 days in primary at 65-70°F.

  6. Day 9-30

    Rack + secondary

    Rack to carboy; ferment to dryness.

  7. Day 180

    Age + bottle

    Bulk age 3-6 months. Bottle. Improves dramatically over a year.