Is elderflower in the northeast fragrant and ... I wanted to say "heavenly"? I ask because here in CA, I think we're working with a different variety of Sambucus nigra than what I found when we lived in Germany. I was stop-in-my-tracks floored by the difference in the smell of the blooms. I'm unsure, though, if that's a result of our arid conditions or if it's a variety difference. I've not spent time in the eastern part of the US and I wonder what your assessment is of the plants there. With the flowers of elder here, I would not be inspired to make wine, though I have dried them and used them in a medicinal elixir (elderberry, elderflower, wild rosehips, ginger, honey and rum).

Now ginger wine... hmmm, that sounds yummy!