Kits vs. Scratch

[smurfe]

Thought I would post a poll to get an idea what types of wines everyone makes. Do we have more kit vintners or scratch vintners?

Smurfe

 

[Caplan]

I'm more of a 'scratch wine' type but I do use kits once in a while.

 

[smurfe]

Caplan, do you make the same brand kits in the UK as we do in the US? What brands do you all make over there?

Smurfe

 

[Caplan]

Smurfe,

Selection, Vintners Reserve, Beaverdale, Grande Maison and Heron Bay are a few brands I can get hold of quite easily.

Are there any brands I've not listed that you've used with success I should look into trying to find in the UK? I'm planning to get a good quality medium to full bodied red kit on the go in the New Year to age for while and fill up the space in my wine rack!

 

[cpfan]

Caplan:

I like the Vineco brand kits, and I believe that they are available in the UK. Their 6 week kits Legacy, Vinterra or Ken Ridge Showcase are on a par with Winexpert's Selection kits, and the Heron Bay 16-litre kits.

Steve

 

[smurfe]

All of the kits I have made are Wine Expert kits but the two Cellar Craft kits I have made. I have made 4 of the Wine Expert Vintners Reserve Kits and all of the rest have been WE Selection, Estate Series, or Crushendo's.

I buy all of my kits from one place (except the 2 CC kits) so I haven't really had any exposure to the other brands. Most retailers I have inquired into sell the Wine Expert kits fairly exclusively. My retailer is getting the Mosti Modiale full juice kits, I am sure I will try some of them.

Smurfe

 

[Caplan]

Thanks Guys! I'll look into Vineco kit availabilty in the UK but also study the Winexpert kits (that I called 'selection' but you knew what I meant!) to see what suits my tastes. Further questions may follow!

 

[smurfe]

I would like to try a few other brands to see the difference. My problem though is I feel guilty when I buy from any place than my regular supplier. Customer service that just blows me away.

I bought the 2 Cellar Craft kits from another dealer who was discontinuing them and got them for close to half price, plus, I was wanting to do a grape pack kit and these were priced less than a regular juice kit. I will say that the Cellar Craft Rosso Fortissimo has been the best wine I have made thus far. I have 6 bottles left and I wanted to enter this wine in a few competitions. Guess that isn't going to happen.

My dealer is getting the Mosti Mondiale kits in and I am anxious to try one of them. I have heard their Port kit is out of this world. I haven't heard a whole lot of great things about the Sterile Must's though. Any comments on this brand and the varieties they offer?

Smurfe