May Wine Made Easy

The poet Gerard wrote when the delicate sweet woodruff is added to a cup of wine it will "make a man merry"
Galium odoratum ,or sweet woodruff is a hardy perennial plant that prefers semi shade and moist, porous loam. Provided these conditions, it will happily grow and spread to make a pretty spring ground cover.
When dried it has a delicate hay-like scent that isn't present when it is fresh.
To make an "exhilarating drink to lift the spirits and create a carefree atmosphere" do the following-

May Wine

dry a small handful of sweet woodruff in a warm dry place for 3-4 hours
place the dried leaves in a glass pitcher and add the juice of one lemon and half a bottle of good Rhine wine
let set in a warm place for 3-4 hours
add 4-6 tablespoons of sugar and the other half bottle of Rhine wine
Chill

add a bottle of sparkling white wine just before serving.
Enjoy with the best of friends!

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