Elderberry: Varietal Focus

 Its shrub is known as “the medicine chest of the common people.” The root, bark, berry, leaves, and flowers have been used by herbalists for thousands of years. The flowers have been used topically in ointments and poultices for cuts and scrapes. The berries are a good source of Vitamin A and C and are most often used in making pies, wine and jelly. This berry was immortalized in song by Elton John. It’s elderberry, and you also can  make fine wine with it. Warmed elderberry wine has been made for centuries as a remedy for sore throats and the flu. In the last twenty years, clinical studies have confirmed the elderberry connection in reducing the duration of influenza-like symptoms. Berries gathered from the European black elder known as Sambucus nigra (pronounced sam-BOO-cuss NIGH-gra) and the American sweet elder Sambucus canadensis (can-a-DENSE-sis) make tasty wine. The berries from most varieties of Sambucus nigra and Sambucus canadensis make red wine. White wine can be made from the yellow fruit of the frutuluteo or the green fruit of  virescens. Other varieties of