Chilli, Ginger, Rosehip, Blackberry + Elderberry Wine

Tasting Notes

Clear scarlet red and smells like forest clouds in a spicy jungle..

First thing to hit is the mellow sweetness, then, oh what?  Your tongue and lips are hot! But it's so red-dy and berry-ish, you've got to take another sip to check.  And wow, it's bloody delicious and the burn is such a unique feeling whilst drinking wine, that well frankly, you've got to see this baby to the end.  To have cheese with this or not?  I'm going to leave that up to you; you may find you want to experience this as a stand alone wine.

The name, Not a Doctor...?  When I make a wine that has herbs or known medicinal berries, I often get asked if it means that the wine will be good for you.  Unfortunately, to be honest, I have to say that it could possibly be but in all likeliness the alcohol content will counteract any good things it may bring you, but I'm not a doctor, so who knows!

Winemaking Notes

The idea for this wine did stem from fire cider, a medicinal tonic made from all manner of good things steeped in apple cider vinegar.  Then serendipity stepped in with Cult Wine offering me chillies from their abundant Rocoto chilli plant.  Local, Hella Cohen, offering to sell me her Rugosa rosa rosehips.  All at the time that I was foraging for blackberries and elderberries.

So I made three different wines in March 2025; chilli + ginger, rosehip, blackberry + elderberry.  Then blended them after they had all done their first furious ferment and allowed them to bloom and slowly ferment together.

I didn't want it to end too dry, so fermented it to a nice easy 9.4% abv.

Bottled in August 2025, released February 2026

• 9.4% abv
• Minimal sulphites
• Vegan + gluten free