Channeling Sophie's Garden

Carol's garden is in Port Hope MI, in a rural, lakeside community. She has lots of space and expertise. Laura' garden is located in Centralia WA, in a small suburban yard challenged by access to sun and space. Debbie's garden is in Deckerville MI, in a smaller rural yard, where rules are ignored.

Each of us is applying what we learned at at our mother's and grandmother's knees in space once owned by Sophie Mayer Birg Harter on Rangeline Road. Sophie immigrated to Detroit in 1908 from Heufeld, a once German (Donauschwaben) community of Hungary. Her hope lives on.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Celebrate the change of seasons by seasoning some May Wine (maiwein) with "waldmeister"

Celebrate spring with spiced wine when the sweet woodruff blooms.

Woodruff is traditionally added to German wines (Rhine, Mosel) in spring to celebrate the coming of summer. The leaves taste like chamomile and cinnamon.

Peasant-rooted in tradition, select an inexpensive wine, like a Mosel. Pick early emerging leaves for best flavor. Add two large sprigs of woodruff to two cups of white wine, then add two tablespoons of honey or sugar and let seep overnight. Drink it over ice or as a spritzer.

Alternate recipes include adding brandy, sliced strawberries/oranges and sparkling wine.

UPDATE 5/12/11: Picked buds and leaves and added to wine, along with honey, to seep.  
 
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5 comments:

  1. CLYMay 9, 2011 at 6:05 PM

    Sounds good! Have you had it?

    ReplyDelete
  2. LRMay 10, 2011 at 12:54 PM

    Yes. It's not refined - sangria-like. But it's fun to make a batch and drink on Saturday night after putzing around all day. A toast to spring!

    If you want to add to garden - they are shade lovers and bloom in April, usually. So they are late and so is the toast.

    ReplyDelete
  3. LRMay 10, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    I've seen recipes using leaves and some that use the flowers. Either way, only keep for 24 hours, not longer.

    As the plant matures it develops a sedative effect so maybe soaking to long in alcohol does the same and not good for some. Also, interferes with some drug use, like blood thinners - so not for everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  4. CLYMay 14, 2011 at 6:13 AM

    Souunds so good. I will have to loo into growing some to enjoy next year!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. CLYMay 20, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    How was the wine?
    We are brewing rhubarb will get some pictures on.

    ReplyDelete

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