Ephemeral Ruby Wine
Fermented and bottled by House Nethys
Ephemeral Ruby Wine is a dark red-purple wine, rich and sweet, fermented from small Feywild berries called Dusktide currants. These berries, harvested in late summer, must be processed or eaten within a fleeting three-day window before they rot.
There are very few places where Dusktide currant bushes grow naturally, as the conditions required are extremely narrow. However, there is a valley on House Nethys lands that is perfectly suited for them, and the family magically ensures that the valley maintains ideal conditions, regardless of season or natural weather in the Unseelie Realm.
Once processed, the wine ferments at a natural rate, usually completing its transformation within a fortnight, though some vintages are left to mature for years to deepen their enchantment.
After fermentation is complete, the wine is bottled and labeled. A select few bottles are made with 100 percent Dusktide currants—these are reserved for family and certain close friends. The rest are blended with a percentage of dark currant wine, with the proportion clearly indicated on the label. For example, Ephemeral Ruby Wine is 100 percent Dusktide currants, while Ephemeral Ruby 30 contains 30 percent Dusktide currant wine and 70 percent black currant wine.
What are Black Currants?
Botanical Description:
Black currants are small, round, dark purple to black berries that grow on deciduous shrubs in the genus Ribes. The shrubs typically reach 1–2 meters in height and are native to temperate parts of central and northern Europe and northern Asia on the world of Midgard. They grow well on several mortal worlds including Thule and Relune and some varieties thrive in the Feywild. The berries used in Ephemeral Ruby are grown in the Feywild's Equinox.
Growing Conditions:
Black currant bushes prefer cool climates and moist, fertile soils. They are shade-tolerant and often grown in gardens or commercial berry farms.
Harvesting:
The berries ripen in mid to late summer and are usually harvested by hand or machine. They grow in clusters and should be picked when fully ripe for the best flavor.
Flavor Profile:
Black currants have a strong, tart, and earthy flavor with hints of sweetness. They are more intense than red or white currants and are rarely eaten raw due to their acidity.
Uses:
- Culinary: Used in jams, jellies, syrups, juices, desserts, and baked goods. Black currant liqueur (crème de cassis) is popular in France.
- Nutritional: Rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and anthocyanins.
- Medicinal: Traditionally used for their anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.
Fun Fact: Black currants were banned in the United States for much of the 20th century because they can carry white pine blister rust, a disease harmful to pine trees. The ban has been lifted in many states.
What are Dusktide Currants?
Botanical Description:
Dusktide currants are small, round berries with a deep red-purple hue, growing in tight clusters on thorny, low bushes. The bushes thrive only in rare, sheltered Feywild valleys where the soil is rich and the air carries a hint of twilight magic. Their leaves are glossy and slightly iridescent, shimmering faintly at dusk.
Growing Conditions:
Dusktide currant bushes require very specific conditions: cool, misty evenings, well-drained loam, and a touch of Feywild enchantment. They are found naturally in only a handful of places, most notably on House Nethys lands, where magic ensures the valley’s perfection regardless of the Unseelie Realm’s weather.
Harvesting:
The berries ripen in late summer and must be harvested within a fleeting three-day window. Once picked, they must be processed or eaten immediately, as they begin to rot and lose their magical properties after this short period. The harvest is a celebrated event, often accompanied by music and feasting.
Flavor Profile:
Dusktide currants are rich and sweet, with a complex flavor that combines tartness, earthy undertones, and a lingering floral finish. Some say the taste evokes memories of twilight and distant laughter.
Uses:
- Culinary: Used in fine Feywild wines (such as Ephemeral Ruby 70), jams, pastries, and magical confections. Their juice is prized for its color and enchanting aroma.
- Magical: The berries are believed to enhance clarity of thought and emotional warmth. Some potions and spells use Dusktide currants as a key ingredient for memory or mood enhancement.
- Medicinal: Traditionally used to boost vitality and ward off melancholy, especially during the long Feywild nights.
Fun Fact: The fleeting harvest window and the berries’ tendency to rot quickly make Dusktide currants a symbol of ephemerality and rare opportunity in Feywild culture.
