Umeshu Plum Wine

 We've had a great year for garden plums, so we decided to have a go at making plum wine...the dogs are snoozing and rain is in the offing...after picking the plums, you wash them off, pat them dry and get out the stems with a toothpick...mushy overripe or bruised ones can go back in the garden for the insects...three types of liqueur this year, one kilo with brandy, one kilo with liquor and brown sugar, and one kilo with Kurokirishima shochu...takes at least a year to steep and flavor, more like three for a decent mature flavor. Great on ice-cream!

Photos by Lelantos