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How to Make Red Clover Wine (1 UK Gallon Recipe)

 redclover

Red Clover wine is a light, fragrant flower wine with delicate notes of honey, fresh hay, meadow flowers and a subtle herbal character. Made from the flower heads of red clover, it produces a pale golden country wine that is smooth, refreshing and ideal for summer drinking.

When properly matured, Red Clover Wine develops a mellow bouquet with gentle floral complexity and excellent balance.

Wine Profile

  • Style: Traditional meadow flower wine

  • Colour: Pale straw to light gold

  • Body: Light

  • Sweetness: Dry to off-dry

  • Acidity: Medium

  • Alcohol: 11–12% ABV

  • Yield: Approximately 1 UK gallon (4.5 L), around 6 × 750 ml bottles

  • Difficulty: Beginner

Flower Character

  • Dominant Flavours: Honey, meadow flowers, fresh hay, mild herbs

  • Aroma Strength: Medium

  • Recommended Brewing Strength: Medium

  • Best Drinking Age: Medium (8–24 months)

Harvest Calendar

  • Harvest Season: May – September (UK)

  • Best Picking Time: Warm, dry afternoon when the flower heads are fully open

  • Suitable for Fresh Use: ✔ Yes

  • Suitable for Drying: ✔ Yes

  • Suitable for Freezing: ✔ Yes

  • Best Source: Unsprayed meadows, pasture margins and gardens

Identification & Safety

Correct identification

Use Red Clover (Trifolium pratense).

Characteristics include:

  • Rounded crimson to pink flower heads

  • Three-part leaves, often with a pale crescent marking

  • Upright stems

  • Sweet, nectar-rich flowers

Similar species

White clover (Trifolium repens) is also suitable for winemaking but produces a noticeably lighter and more delicate wine. It is best treated as a separate recipe.

Which parts should be used?

✔ Flower heads only.

Remove as much stem as possible.

Never use

  • Thick stems

  • Leaves

  • Brown or faded flowers

  • Plants growing beside busy roads

  • Areas recently sprayed with herbicides

Best Flowers to Use

Choose flower heads that are:

  • Fully open

  • Bright crimson or pink

  • Fresh

  • Dry

  • Rich in nectar

Harvest before the flowers begin to brown.

Ingredients

  • Approximately 2 litres loosely packed red clover flower heads (around 250–300 g)

  • 2.0–2.25 lb (900 g–1.0 kg) white sugar

  • Water (to make up to 1 UK gallon (4.5 L))

  • Juice of 2 lemons

  • Juice of 1 orange

  • Finely pared zest of 2 lemons

  • Finely pared zest of 1 orange

  • 100 g raisins

  • 1 tsp yeast nutrient

  • 1 Campden tablet (optional)

  • Wine yeast (half packet recommended):

    • Lalvin QA23 (highly recommended)

    • Lalvin 71B

    • EC-1118

Optional Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp light honey

  • 1 tsp glycerine after fermentation

Preparation

  1. Harvest flower heads during a warm, dry afternoon.

  2. Shake gently to remove insects.

  3. Remove as much stem as practical.

  4. Use immediately after harvesting.

Making the Flower Infusion

  1. Place the flower heads into a sanitised fermentation bucket.

  2. Add the citrus zest.

  3. Pour over approximately 3 litres of boiling water.

  4. Cover immediately and allow to steep for 18–24 hours.

Avoid boiling the flowers directly.

  1. Strain through muslin or a fine sieve.

Discard the flowers.

Making the Must

  1. Dissolve the sugar into the warm infusion.

  2. Add:

    • Lemon juice

    • Orange juice

    • Raisins

  3. Top up with cool water to reach 1 UK gallon (4.5 L).

  4. Allow to cool below 25°C (77°F).

  5. Add:

    • Yeast nutrient

    • Crushed Campden tablet (if using)

  6. Leave for 24 hours if using Campden.

  7. Add the yeast and stir thoroughly.

Primary Fermentation

  1. Ferment for 5–7 days.

  2. Stir gently once daily.

  3. Maintain 18–22°C.

The floral and honeyed aromas become more rounded during fermentation.

Transfer to Secondary

  1. Siphon carefully into a sterilised demijohn.

  2. Fit an airlock.

  3. Top up if required.

Secondary Fermentation

Continue fermentation for approximately 3–5 weeks.

Rack whenever sediment reaches around 1–2 cm.

Clearing & Aging

Once fermentation has finished:

  • Leave to clear for 2 months

  • Rack again if necessary.

  • Bottle when brilliantly clear.

Red Clover Wine benefits from bottle aging.

  • Minimum aging: 8–9 months

  • Ideal aging: 12–18 months

  • Peak drinking: 1–3 years

Expected Results

  • Original Gravity: 1.086–1.096

  • Final Gravity: 0.995–1.000

  • Alcohol: 11–12% ABV

Tips for Better Red Clover Wine

  • Harvest during warm, dry weather.

  • Remove as much stem as possible.

  • QA23 preserves the floral aroma particularly well.

  • Raisins improve body without masking the blossom.

  • Allow at least one year of bottle age.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Harvesting damp flowers.

  • Including too much stem material.

  • Using faded flower heads.

  • Collecting from sprayed grassland.

  • Drinking before sufficient maturation.

About Red Clover Wine

Red clover has been a familiar sight in British meadows for centuries, providing nectar for bees and enriching pasture with nitrogen. Country winemakers recognised that its nectar-rich flower heads could also produce a pleasant and refreshing wine, particularly when gathered during warm summer afternoons.

The finished wine is subtle rather than bold, offering gentle floral aromas with hints of honey, fresh hay and meadow herbs. It is a charming example of how even the most familiar wildflowers can produce elegant country wines when handled with care.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve lightly chilled (8–10°C)

  • Excellent with summer salads

  • Pairs beautifully with mild cheeses

  • Complements grilled chicken and trout

  • Lovely with shortbread, fruit scones or honey cake

Storage & Aging

  • Best consumed within 3 years

  • Store in a cool, dark place

  • Best drinking window: 1–3 years

  • Retains its fresh meadow character during early bottle age.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use white clover instead?
White clover can also be used, but it produces a lighter, more delicate wine. It is best treated as a separate recipe.

Should I remove the stems?
Yes. Removing as much stem as possible helps prevent coarse herbal flavours.

Can I dry the flowers?
Yes. Red clover dries reasonably well, although fresh flowers produce the brightest aroma.

Can I freeze the flowers?
Yes. Fresh flower heads freeze well and retain much of their flavour.

How long should I age Red Clover Wine?
It is usually at its best after 12–18 months, when the floral and honeyed notes have become fully integrated

 

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