Wine for christmas

[redwards81]

Hi all my wife has asked me to make some wine for her work and i know i am a little late getting started. So i decided to do a kit. I am looking at doing a pinot what kit is recommended here is what i am lookin at
Wine expert vinters reserve
Cellar crafts sterling
Any feedback will be grate thanks all

 

[Yooper]

It depends on your goal. The WE Vintner's Reserve kits are easy, and they make a wine similar in quality to a "Two Buck Chuck" or a $5-7 bottle of wine in the end. They aren't complex or "deep" flavored but they are drinkable and while they won't please a wine snob, they make a good dinner wine for everyday.

The best kits ($150 and up) make a really good bottle of wine.

The middle kits make a decent wine also.

 

[redwards81]

Its for her work people she runs an assisted living. I brew beer and cider and have done the vinters reserve once before a riseling and it was pretty easy.

If you were doing it what would you select even if it was not one i mentioned.

My lhbs has a few other options like Eclipse and a few others

 

[Yooper]

Its for her work people she runs an assisted living. I brew beer and cider and have done the vinters reserve once before a riseling and it was pretty easy.

If you were doing it what would you select even if it was not one i mentioned.

My lhbs has a few other options like Eclipse and a few others

If I wanted a "good" wine, I'd go with the Eclipse or Cellar Craft Showcase kits.

I know they are far more expensive, but with wine kits, you really do get what you pay for.

 

[redwards81]

Which would you do? Have you ever had eclipse?

 

[Yooper]

Which would you do? Have you ever had eclipse?

No, that's relatively new and I haven't been a huge Winexpert fan so haven't tried those. Others on the forum who have reported good results.

I love Cellar Craft Showcase (the ones with the grape skins and more juice and less concentrate) in the $150 range. They are expensive, and I do a mix of cheap, moderate and expensive so I always have a variety of quality wines on hand. The Winexpert Vintners Reserve kits are fine for us,l but I don't serve those to guests.

 

[pumpkinman2012]

I had a couple of Eclipse Kits given to me, the Merlot and the Zinf, I normally don't make Kit wines, but I wasn't going to refuse a Premium kit.
That said, the Merlot has been aging since Feb, it is a decent wine, everything that you would look for in a Merlot.
The Zinf has been aging since Feb as well, but this particular kit I put through an oak barrel to give it a little bit more character.
Both wines are good, If you want your wife to make a good impression, I'd go with one of the better Kits.

Tom

 

[redwards81]

I definatly want to make a good impression. I may try an exlipse i am headed for my lhbs 45 min away. Lets see what happens ans there recomendatiob

 

[TexasWine]

You'll also want to choose one that will be ready to drink in just a few months. A lot of reds take a while (2+ years) before they hit their stride.

You sure the coworkers wouldn't be equally impressed with a good cider spiced specially for the Christmas season (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, vanilla, etc)?

 

[Cyclman]

I was going to say that a strong flavored red won't be very good by Christmas, they do need time. I don't know about a Pinot, they are lighter, haven't made one.

I did a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, everyone loves it, even red drinkers. Plenty complex, plenty of acid backbone.

 

[redwards81]

Thanks everyone i have some merlot that will be aged 6 months so she is like i will take that. But the demonishs my stock lol. So i picked up a winexpert selection series Rioja

 

[oogaboogachiefwalkingdeer]

aflelwein however Edwort spells it would be ready by then. Very easy and taste pretty good after three or four months. Mike