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In article ,
David WE Roberts wrote:

Elderberries and red grape concentrate together make a very robust red wine
which can be converted into a passable ersatz Port with a little cheap
brandy.

/Life is too short to drink bad wine!

IIRC traditional proper Port used to be bulked out with elderberries in the
years when the grapes were poor.

/Not really. Elderberries make a very 'thin' wine, and were used
/far more for colouring - indeed, I have seen them listed as
/colouring agents in some modern foods or drinks. You can use them
/for the same purpose yourself, though few people do nowadays - they
/are a completely harmless and effective dark red colouring agent.
/
/Elderberries and red grape concentrate would make a reasonable
/plonk, but it is the latter which would give the wine its body.
/Elderberries would also add tannin and similar flavours, if the
/grape concentrate lacks those.

I've got both the 'nigra' and 'aurea' varieties. Handy if you can get a
couple of other allotment holders to split the cost. Buying from a Hedging
Company is the cheapest way. Hope to have fruit and elderberry port next
year.