Which wine kit?

[Greatcthulhu]

Hi all. I've made plenty of beer and even TC, but never wine. I thought I'd have a go and wondered if someone could recommend a decent 6 bottle kit to get me started (Pinot Noir, Zinfandell that sort of thing). Cheers in advance.

[winka]

Ive only done 3 wine kits up till now, but Ive done 2 wilkinsons ones (think they were youngs) I did the 30 bottle kits but they do the 7 day 6 bottle ones also. I done the Chardonnay first which was good, but did have a 'alchohol' taste to it. Then I done the merlot which turned out more like a rose or blush, was very nice but was better chilled.

Both these kits needed 4 kg of sugar adding so Im guessing that was what gave it more of a 'alchohol' twang.

The newest kit Ive done was a 'Yarrawanga' Pinot, it didnt need sugar and was all just grape juice and it was beautifull. I could imaging paying 5-6 quid a bottle of this from a shop. No alchohol twang which I am now assuming is from not needing the extra sugar.

Was a 30 bottle kit but not sure they do a 6 but if you can do a 30 its well worth it. about 8 days from start to first drink. Im setting away a Yarrawanga Cabernet Saviong today, cant wait to try that

Cheers

[Greatcthulhu]

OK, cheers for that- the Yarrwanga sounds good.

[winka]

Its deffinatley value at £30 for the 30 bottle kit, the wilkos one was about £25 but then needed to buy 4kg of sugar, so worked out pretty much the same, and like I say the difference in quality is great.

I cant even imagine how good the more 'expensive' kits are, or how good the Pinot Ive got would get after 4-6 months. Only thing is we go through it that quick it doesnt last that long to find out

Cheers

[john_drummer]

for 6 bottle kits I like Beaverdale & California Connoisseur. Both come with the concentrated grape juice in a plastic pouch rather than a can, and neither require any extra sugar.

the reds take about 3-4 weeks, whites a little less, but the whites definitely need filtering.
around £12-13 for a 6 bottle kit, also available in 30 bottle kits for around £45 - £1.50 per bottle of really nice wine, shame I don't have storage room for 30 bottles at a time!

[JuiceBanger1]

ive only done solomon grundy 6 btl kits, peach and a cherry , 7 day kit, was pretty nice the peach one.

[Down2Die]

Go with the California Connoisseur u wont be disappointed. but 6 bottle kits you usually end up with 5 bottles and it goes too quick. my advice get the 30 bottle kits to start.