Hi, I'm considering making some kit wine. I'm a fussy baxtard when it comes to wine and I'm wondering will it only lead to disappointment? I know I can brew excellent beer vs what's commercially available(when things go to plan) but does the same apply for wine, or is it all like that pi$$ you get in boxes?
thanks
Rich
From my limited experience in tasting wine kits, I've found the most expensive kits, costing around €3 per bottle, can produce wine tasting similar to bottles costing €10 in the off-licence. So a good saving, but not earth-shattering quality IMHO.
I agree, im fussy about my wine, and beer for that matter. I find the wine kits to be a fine table wine and a match up for bottles in the 7 to 10 euro range
Does that include the sadler reserve kits? If they don't at least reach a 20 Euro bottle of wine quality, that'll be my last kit in that case...
Why should they make €20 quality wines? You're getting 30 bottles for €70, or €2.33 each. A €10 wine in the shop, once you knock off VAT (best part of €2) and excise duty (€3.19) costs around €5. So you're getting twice your money's worth. A €20 bottle less VAT and excise is a shade over €13. Five times quality for your initial investment seems a bit optimistic to me :(
Which is why I don't bother anymore. I like my wine a certain way and so far home kits just don't cut it. Would gladly fork out more for a kit if it hit that standard though
Just my two cents but you are never going to get that from a wine kit,unless you grow and crush your own grapes you really can't. It all depends on what exactly you are looking for out of your wine tbh. ;D
Aye that's the thing, I brew beer to make a quality product and want the same out of my wine. If I can't buy a kit that can reach that quality, there's no point. I buy beers that usually cost 5 a bottle, yet it only costs around 50 to make 40 of those, so I'm not out of my mind to expect the same from the wine kits.
Also when the HB stores sell them, they claim these levels of quality, so that's just misadvertising as far as I can see
It costs €50 to make 40 beers for you?
It was a ballpark. I couldn't actually say how much I spend, as I get indegrients for a few batches at a time :)
I was thinking maybe a 12 bottle Sadlers Reserve kit(Merlot/Shiraz). Theyre pure grape juice cost €43. With pure juice I would have expected a reasonable quality. Obviously I don't actually know, that's why I'm asking here:) any of u guys ever tried those pure juice kits?
How did I end up starting 2 threads??? Pretty sure I didn't do anything stupid. Software glitch?
Quote from: molc on September 25, 2014, 09:31:04 PM
It was a ballpark. I couldn't actually say how much I spend, as I get indegrients for a few batches at a time :)
Ha, bet its way less. Beersmith is great for calculating how much each batch costs. Even an IPA with plenty of hops comes in at no more than €25
Quote from: RichC on September 25, 2014, 09:47:24 PM
I was thinking maybe a 12 bottle Sadlers Reserve kit(Merlot/Shiraz). Theyre pure grape juice cost €43. With pure juice I would have expected a reasonable quality. Obviously I don't actually know, that's why I'm asking here:) any of u guys ever tried those pure juice kits?
Err maybe look down a few threads:
http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,5635.0.html (http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,5635.0.html)
In my opinion the best wine kits are from Winexpert.
You have them in different prices starting from €65 for 30 bottles
They have 4, 5,6 and 8 week wine kits
http://makingyourwine.com/winexpert-vintners-reserve-pricelist (http://makingyourwine.com/winexpert-vintners-reserve-pricelist)
http://makingyourwine.com/winexpert-world-vineyard-pricelist (http://makingyourwine.com/winexpert-world-vineyard-pricelist)
http://makingyourwine.com/winexpert-selection-pricelist (http://makingyourwine.com/winexpert-selection-pricelist)
http://makingyourwine.com/winexpert-eclipse-pricelist (http://makingyourwine.com/winexpert-eclipse-pricelist)
You can taste most wines there before buying
Thanks Nethawkje. Kells is a bit of a spin for me but I might head down. Being able to taste before I buy is very appealing. Are all the available tasters young or have you got wines at various stages of ageing available?
Before lashing out that amount of money on a wine kit I would ask you if you have brewed a wine kit before?
Are you up to speed on sanitation/temperature control/doing things at the correct time etc etc?
Have you all the equipment needed?
It would be a shame to spend 60 or 70 notes and then not be delighted and excited with the results.
@Will, I have never made wine. I brew beer. When I invest in a kit I want to make I'm confident ill manage the technical details.
I agree that it would be disappointing dropping 60/70quid on a kit and not being delighted with the results. If the results are comparable to a cheap bottle of wine then I will be disappointed. That's why I've raised the question
I just did my first wine kit. It was a Kenridge Classic Shiraz. I took a load of pics so I'll hopefully get a review up in a few weeks.
Hi RichC,
We are very passionate about helping folk to brew great quality wine, we personally feel that Sadlers Reserve is one of the best wine kits available on the market. The grape juice is packed in an aseptic room into foil pouches, this means that you are receiving juice to brew with in its purest form.
I personally drink red wine and the Sadlers Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a favourite of mine, friends, family and customers are providing the most favourable comments in relation to Sadlers Reserve Wine Kits. They are the highest gravity wine kits available also which is great as I enjoy a red around 14%
We recently gave away a few 30 bottle sadlers reserve wine kits to the NHC for reviews, I'm sure someone could give you a bottle to sample to see the results for yourself.
I've a few batches on myself at the minute when they are finished we'll have samples instore also.
Give us a shout if you need anymore info
http://geterbrewed.ie/sadlers-reserve-wine-kits-30-bottle
@RichC
We have wines to taste who are just bottled ( I let every wine rest for at least 3 weeks after bottling), but also wines who are already aging for over 9 months.
Good thing if you make the wine in the shop, before you bottle it you can taste and....
if the wine is not good you get the money back.
Giving the money back when it s not good, you can only do with good wine kits from Winexpert.
In canada there is over thousand shops where you can go in and make your wine on their premises.
Around 90% of those shops is doing this with Winexpert wine kits.
The most famous one is http://www.beyondthegrape.com/ (http://www.beyondthegrape.com/) Talking regularly with the owner.
There is already a well known pub in Navan making their own wine in the shop. Of course they do pay for the alcohol tax
(http://i61.tinypic.com/9uxaio.jpg)