Marigold Wines, Sherries, and/or Meads

• 1 qt marigold petals, firmly packed
• 1/2 lb chopped golden raisins
• 1-7/8 lbs granulated sugar
• 1 medium orange
• 1 medium lemon
• 1/2 tsp tartaric acid
• 71/2 pts water
• 1 tsp yeast nutrient
• 1 pkt wine yeast

Put water on to boil, stirring sugar in until dissolved. Prepare zest of orange and lemon peel and then extract the juices from the pulp. Put marigold petals, chopped raisins and zest of orange and lemon in nylon straining bag and tie closed. Put in primary with tartaric acid and yeast nutrient and pour boiling water over bag. Cover primary and set aside to cool. When room temperature or slightly warm, add activated yeast. Recover primary and gently squeeze bag twice a day for 5-6 days. Squeeze bag to extract liquid, discard contents of bag, and recover primary. Allow to settle overnight and rack into secondary. Fit airlock and set aside to continue fermentation. Rack, top up and refit airlock after 30 days, then again after additional 60 days. Set in cool place 4 months, checking airlock periodically for seal. Rack, stabilize and sweeten to taste if desired, but this wine is very good dry. If sweetened, set aside additional 14 days to check for signs of refermentation. If none or if wine is not sweetened, carefully rack into bottles and cellar 12 months before tasting. [Author’s own recipe]