Rhubarb Wine?

[BettM]

I have a bottle of homemade rhubarb wine from 2003 that I won in a raffle. It is a beautiful golden colour. So far I haven't had a chance to open it, but wondered will it be OK to drink it next month when we celebrate a neighbours birthday? Can anyone advise me please?

[ACB312]

Hello, I've made country wines for years and am still alive, so here's a couple of hints. Has the bottle got a cork made of cork? Has it been stored horizontally? It is possible that the cork will have dried out if not stored horizontally, and the wine will have gone off. There may a sediment at the bottom of whatever way it was stored - this shouldn't be a problem and you can decant the wine into another bottle. Before your event, chill the wine, carefully open it and have a small taste - it could be OK, however rhubarb can have an excess of malic acid that is not to everybody's palate. Usually, red wines improve over a few years if stored correctly but whites are generally best when young. If in doubt - chuck it out! I've generalised a bit, but for the cost of buying a bootle or two (or 3 for a tenner at your local supermarket) minimise your concern by just having the rhubarb wine yourself and not have any worries at the event. Cheers, Andy

[BettM]

Thankyou all for your replies.

I think on reflection I may give it a miss for the birthday and try it out at home. The cork looks OK, although the bottle has not been in the wine rack.

I will check it out [or chuck it out!] and post a message as and when. Maybe I will put it back in a raffle!! LOL

Thanks again,
Regards
Bettm

[madmaggot]

Perhaps you should just keep it for use as a laxative as and when required?

[BettM]

Thankyou madmaggot, that's a good idea. I know a few people I can try it on - then I will go away for a few days!! LOL

[mrsann]

I used to make rhubarb wine evry year when we had a big garden and a big family at home! The laxative or not properties largely depend, as does the metallic taste,on whether it has been cut with chalk after fermentation has finished. If it has and the stoage is ok it should be lovely

[BettM]

Thankyou mrsann, I think what I will do is open it and taste it - and see what happens the next morning - lol.
If there are no dire consequences I will have some more - and offer my friends a taste.

It's Bank Holiday so a good time to try it out.

Watch this space!