Sue turns fruit and veg into wine

Lincolnshire fruit lovers are raising a toast to Sue Frecklington, who is putting their surplus stock to good advantage by turning it into wine.

Mrs Frecklington's service of taking in quantities of fruit and transforming it into tailor-made wine for the client is bucking the credit-crunch trend.

This year business has boomed by up to 40 per cent and fruits and vegetables as diverse as pumpkins, carrots, plums and quinces have been brought into the winery in High Street for fermenting and bottling.

Mrs Frecklington has been making wine for retail under the Lombard Wines logo for some time.

However the customised wine business has grown to the extent that it is now taking up about half her time.

"People bring me all kinds of things. I have made a batch of wine for a carrot company who wanted bottles of carrot wine for Christmas gifts for clients.

"And among the more unusual fruits this year have been quinces."

Mrs Frecklington pulps, presses and juices fruit before mixing with a grape juice and sugar 'starter' and fermenting.

It takes at least three months for the wine to be drinkable.

Customers have to sign disclaimers to say the bottles are for personal consumption to avoid excise duty.

The charge is £25 for six bottles – and more if the fruit has to be pressed or stoned first.

For more on the wine service, see Thursday's Echo.