Wine Kit Reviews


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Lee and I began to make wine at home in late October 2012, in the first seven months following, we have made eleven kits. However, it goes without saying that wine needs much longer to mature than beer, so it stands to reason we’ve been unable to sample all the products we have purchased. For the most part wine is still sitting and maturing in 23Litre carboys we have parked around the house. We have been going hell for leather to make as much wine as possible, with a view to consuming it later in the year and beyond. We are concentrating on higher quality 30 bottle kits and have only purchased from three kit producers so far.

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As soon as it’s possible we will begin to upload our thoughts and opinions about the wines we have made.

Above: A carboy waiting with wine ready to be bottled. Right: New labels for our bottles.

A Note With Special Regard To Red Wines
It needs to be stated and remembered that red wines require much more time than whites, before tasting their best. Take note that none of the red wines I have made from kits compare to the rich and full bodied flavours of some popular commercial red wines. Most experienced wine makers tell you there will be a vast improvement to the wine after six months, while others say as much as a year is required before it will be acceptable. Of course it can be difficult for the beginner wine maker to take this on faith and hide away their newly made wines for months and months, resisting all urges to have a drink. Naturally the beginner is unlikely to heed the aforementioned advice, instead diving in as soon as possible. For that reason I have considered the taste of the red wines as young as I dare - approximately at three months. In the initial stages of making the wine it is only while transferring between fermentation vessels and the carboy that we get to taste a very small amount left behind in the syphon tube. I admit it is very difficult to predict with any accuracy how a wine will finish at this early stage but you will get a hint. If at this time you are left with a smile on your face, you can be sure things will only get better.