Wine Making Kits – Saving Your Money

Question: “I like to make my own wine from the kits that you can purchase from your local wine and beer making store. My question is this: the stores tend to carry limited edition wine kits during a certain time of year and I was wondering what the difference would be in quality (if any) between a limited edition wine kit and a regular wine kit. The price is a little higher, but I’m not sure if that’s solely because they are only in stock for a limited time or if the quality is actually better.”

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To begin, for those reading this that have no idea what a wine kit is, I want to succinctly address this.  A wine kit is simply the inclusion of all wine making ingredients sold as one package.  The juice, sterilizing agents, yeast, etc. are all sold in the package and the package is typically in a box. 

An important feature is that is simplifies the process – especially for anyone starting out. 

Additionally if you use a wine kit you can indeed get a lot more bang for your buck in comparison to bottle of wine! In other words, the cost of your wine is a fraction of what you would pay when you buy wine by the bottle.

Not unlike other goods, wine kits can be sold as limited editions.  Many retailers or producers of the kits will tell you that the limited edition kits make a wine that is much closer to a commercial wine and that the wine comes from the right blend between 100 % varietal grapes and grape juice concentrates.  Of course they both make more money if you buy the limited editions, because as pointed out the limited edition cost more. 

I guess in reality the reason for the price difference (between regular wine kits and limited editions) is twofold.  First, the fact that they are limited editions will be a factor.  Second, as I stated above the claim being made by many is that they are in fact higher quality and the resulting wine made from them is of higher quality.

I‘ve had wine made from both regular and limited edition kits and in some cases there may have been a subtle difference but not always enough to be justified by the difference in price that one sometimes sees with some limited editions.

My suggestion for the winemaker is for him/her to consider all options, i.e. ingredients that can be used; I don’t think one should necessarily focus on the limited editions.  Wines can be made from scratch in which you pick all of the ingredients if you wish.  You can get access to some pretty high quality ingredients if desired without necessarily using kits.

Here’s my suggestion to all subscribers: Making wine is a great way to save money while still enjoying your wine – especially at a time when many are beating a drum to curb spending.  Also the experience of making your own wine can be very rewarding and fulfilling.  It will definitely boost one’s appreciation of wine.

Making your own wine has so many benefits tat I would urge any wine lover to give it a try! Consider even just some of the benefits of doing so,

such as:

• Enjoying wine and (all the health benefits) for a low cost
• Building your wine collection and ensuring you always have a supply on hand.
• Enjoying a variety of wines, made from a variety of ingredients, in addition to grapes! Many people even customize their wines with locally grown ingredients as well as organic ones – the choice is yours.
• You’re in control of selecting the ingredients, and thus the cost, not others as is the case when you buy wine.
• A great way to provide personalized presents to your friends and relatives for a low cost (many people even get creative with the labels of their wine!)
• A great hobby; it’s a lot of fun!
• A great way to meet others who are interested in wine