WineXpert Kit dates, what's old?

[TonyP]

I buy WineXpert kits at a local supplier where I can check dates. I know date codes are valuable in determining kit age but I'm clueless in evaluating the consequences of the information beyond the obvious - younger is better than older. I visited the store today and they only had a few white wine kits dated 2012. Most of the kits were in the 7-10 month range, late 2011. I saw none over 12 months.

Can anyone provide information on the point in which age becomes relevant? In other words, it may be that 6-12 months is fine, 12-18 months is OK, and over 18 months should be passed? Or is 12 months already too old? If WineXpert is different in this regard than other producers, please let me know.

Thanks,
Tony P.

 

[TonyP]

Follow-up to my question

Since my post I've found the following forum discussions on the topic:

http://www.winemakingtalk.com/forum/f84/kit-box-shelf-life-3470/

http://www.winemakingtalk.com/forum/f5/how-long-do-wine-kits-last-267/

http://www.winemakingtalk.com/forum/f84/shelf-life-wine-kits-22670/


I believe I've answered my own question. My understanding from these discussions is that 12 months seems to be the standard shelf life and that WineXpert warranties their product for 12 months. However, kits substantially older produced good wine. The shelf life issue seems to be primarily focused on the yeast.

 

[ibglowin]

I know people who had a kit sitting around for 18 months and they finally got around to making the wine and it turned out just fine. Toss the yeast and get a new package. If I am buying it myself from a LHBS then 12 months is max. I don't think I have had a kit that was more than 6-8 months old from Fine Vine Wine one of our sponsors.

 

[Dugger]

I think it primarily depends on the amount of concentrate in the kit. Smaller kits have a larger percentage of concentrate and will last longer; larger kits have more juice and less concentrate and won't keep as long. I use as a rule of thumb 24 months for small (7-8L), 18 months for med (10-12L) and 12 months for large (15-16L). Good storage conditions apply as well.