Daisy Wines, Sherries, and/or Meads

• 1 gallon freshly picked daisies
• 1 pint golden raisins finely chopped
• 2 peeled lemons, thinly sliced
• 1 peeled orange, thinly sliced
• 1 lb 13 ozs finely granulated sugar
• 71/2 pts water
• 1/4 tsp tannin
• 1 tsp yeast nutrient
• Hock or Champagne wine yeast

Pick the flower heads only, without stems, after morning dew has evaporated. Wash and place in primary. Pour water, hot or cold, over flowers and cover primary. Let stand for two days, then strain off and retain liquid, squeezing the blossoms to get maximum flavor. Discard flowers and add remaining ingredients, stirring well to dissolve sugar completely. Recover and set aside for two weeks, stirring daily. Strain liquid into secondary, discarding citrus and raisins. Fit airlock and set aside until fermentation ceases and wine clears. Rack, top up and refit airlock. After one month, rack again. After additional month, rack into bottles and enjoy immediately. This wine will keep well, but will not retain its bouquet more than a year. [Author’s own recipe]