Kit recomendations?

[StoneCreek]

Okay, I have a 6gal batch of Dave's DB clearing and a 6 gal batch of a Prickly Pear that just went into the secondary and I find myself with an empty primary sitting next to another empty 6 gal carboy. Seeing those empty is starting to bug me. I think I would like to try a "real" wine so I look to you veterans of the vine for some advice on which to choose as my first. I don't want to spend a ton of dollars but I don't want to be skimpy either. My wife and I don't usually spend a bunch on wine and we don't usually drink it on a regular basis...yet. I am open to almost any wine. I haven't really had a wine I didn't like. I am more partial to reds that are a bit on the dry side. My wife is more of a fan of sweeter wines such as port or mascato. If given the choice, and not knowing much about wines when I get to the store, I usually get a bottle or two of a Mondovi Cab or Merlot. I seem to be more partial to the merlots though. My wife and I have found that we do both enjoy Menage a Trois by Folie A Deux. Please let me know if you have any specific questions that will help you aid me in my new purchase.

 

[sour_grapes]

Maybe start with a nice Merlot, then. How about this: http://morebeer.com/products/wine-kit-cellar-craft-showcase-collection-washington-state-merlot.html

My wife and I have found that we do both enjoy Menage a Trois.

Wellllll, what kind of wine does your third like to drink?

 

[Jericurl]

Paul, I just choked on my soda!!!

lol

 

[Jericurl]

David,
check the Kit section of this forum.
There are tons of reviews down there.

 

[terroirdejeroir]

There are a number of high end kits that make great wine. If you want to spend a bit less, you could go with the RJS Cellar Classic Rosso Grande. It is a 15L kit with no skins, but makes a very nice wine. If you are not familiar with it I believe it is a Cab/Merlot/Sangiovese blend, but it may have a few other varietals in there. You can get it delivered for about $120 from FVW.

 

[bkisel]

I would suggest any of the RJ Spagnols kits in their Winery Series. I pay $125.00 for these @ my LHBS.

 

[StoneCreek]

Okay, I'll have to admit, I seriously choked on my coffee this morning from laughter when I read your post Paul. I didn't get it right away since I opened the link you provided and then saw the post from Jeri so I had to go back a reread it. I guess I'll need to be a little more specific in the future. lol. I'll check out the links provided and look into the RJS kits. Thanks all.

 

[sour_grapes]

Okay, I'll have to admit, I seriously choked on my coffee this morning from laughter when I read your post Paul. I didn't get it right away since I opened the link you provided and then saw the post from Jeri so I had to go back a reread it. I guess I'll need to be a little more specific in the future. lol. I'll check out the links provided and look into the RJS kits. Thanks all.

I am glad you got a laugh. Menage a Trois (which, innocently enough, just means "household of three" ), is a blend of Zin, Cab Sauv, and Merlot. You could try WineExpert's California Zinfandel/Shiraz, although I still think a Merlot will meet your needs the best.

 

[PHISHBONE]

Okay, I have a 6gal batch of Dave's DB clearing and a 6 gal batch of a Prickly Pear that just went into the secondary and I find myself with an empty primary sitting next to another empty 6 gal carboy. Seeing those empty is starting to bug me. I think I would like to try a "real" wine so I look to you veterans of the vine for some advice on which to choose as my first. I don't want to spend a ton of dollars but I don't want to be skimpy either. My wife and I don't usually spend a bunch on wine and we don't usually drink it on a regular basis...yet. I am open to almost any wine. I haven't really had a wine I didn't like. I am more partial to reds that are a bit on the dry side. My wife is more of a fan of sweeter wines such as port or mascato. If given the choice, and not knowing much about wines when I get to the store, I usually get a bottle or two of a Mondovi Cab or Merlot. I seem to be more partial to the merlots though. My wife and I have found that we do both enjoy Menage a Trois by Folie A Deux. Please let me know if you have any specific questions that will help you aid me in my new purchase.

Wife and I are Folie A Deux fans as well. At $6.47 a bottle at HEB, its hard to beat for commercial. Let me know what you come up with. If I could make home made wine like this, I would be in Heaven.

Shane