Hello my name is George Dodge. I am retired,  married and live on the Essex Coast in the UK.

It may seem strange but I am not a great drinker or lover of alcoholic drinks but I do enjoy making the stuff occasionally much to the delight of my family who think it's great.
I used to think they were just humouring me but they keep coming back for more so I suppose it must be okay. I must admit that I like elderflower wine but a couple of dozen bottles a year doesn't go very far when you have a family and to make any more would take up a fair bit of time and space.

Wherever possible I try to make my wine from fresh ingredients either from my very small garden and allotment or local open land areas.
My own garden and allotment supplies all the elderflowers, elderberries and small fruits that I need. Blackberries are usually picked from local open land but not roadside or walking areas where I am uncertain that local farmers have not recently sprayed their fields. I have also bought fruit from local markets at the end of the day when they are being sold off cheap. Local Farms or Small holdings are also a good source of supply especially where you can pick your own.

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