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May 2004
Newsletter Articles | Jun 2004 | Apr 2004

Deciphering the differences between kits

May, 2004 Filed in: Wine making
Ok so what is the difference between all those types of kits I can buy?

What is the right kit for you, a 7.5 litre, 15 – 16 litre premium kit or a complete 23 litre pail? Kits are made from combinations of juices and/or juice concentrates. Concentrates are simply grape juice with the water removed.

Another important component of juice and concentrates is Total Dissolved Solids which is what is left over after every bit of water is removed from the juice. The more total dissolved solids (TDS), the more aroma and flavour compounds your wine will have. Concentrate only kits have the lowest TDS levels while premium kits, which contain mostly juice, have the highest. Fresh juice has the most TDS, but this comes at a sacrifice that we will discuss later.

Our 7.5 litre Chai-Maison kits are 100% concentrates and because they have the lowest TDS they mature very quickly and can therefore be drunk soon after bottling. These kits are ideal for those wanting to drink the wine on the early side or who need to stock their cellar quickly. We believe that the Chai Maison concentrate kits are the best in the industry in their class because of the proprietary manufacturing technique employed by the manufacturer, Winexpert, which allows retention of high levels of TDS.

Our 7.5 litre Vintners Reserve kits are excellent mid-line products that produce high quality flavourful wines. They are a combination of juice and concentrate, with approximately a 30/70 split in juice to concentrate. As such they have higher TDS and will improve with age. The wine from Vintners Reserve will improve with time due to the juice component. Generally whites should be aged for 1 month and the reds for 2 months. They are best at 6-9 months and improve until one year of age.

The 15 litre Selection Original and International Series are comprised of approximately 80% juice and 20% concentrate and have more Total Dissolved Solids than 7.5 litre kits. This is the chief reason they take longer to make as the higher solids component means more clearing time. With the higher juice component these kits should be aged at least 1-3 months for whites and 3-6 months for reds in order to fully appreciate their capability. These premium white wine kits will dramatically improve through 1 – 2 yrs while the reds can be fully appreciated from 1 – 3 yrs.

The super premium Selection Estate Series are comprised of even higher amounts of juice and as such should be aged for 2 – 4 months if white and 6 – 9 months if red. These kits will improve through 2 – 3 yrs. if white and 3 – 4 yrs if red.

Fresh juice, which we offer every fall has the highest levels of TDS but there is a major trade off. White wine made from fresh juice will often taste “green” until 18 months of age and don’t start to show quality until at least 2 years. While red wines require at least 2 yrs. to pass the green stage and aren’t reaching their peak until after three years. Using fresh juice is also for the experienced winemaker as these products are not balanced for pH, potential alcohol, flavour and aroma like the kits are. The clearing time can be as long as 6 – 12 months so be prepared to tie up your carboys for some time. Given all the intangibles with fresh juice and the variability inherent with the product, juice is not suited for all winemakers.

The other important component is the amount of sugar that is added to the kit. Kits that only contain concentrate must have glucose added to them in order to provide the desired alcohol level. While the Estate Series do not have any added glucose. In between the Selection series may or may not have added glucose depending on the specifications of the juice.

All of these kits produce excellent quality wine. The choice you make is dependent on how and when you consume the wine. A concentrate-only kit may initially offer early drinking but will not develop the flavours and aromas as those higher TDS/juice kits. On the other hand Premium kits may not “drink” as well if consumed young but continue to develop spectacularly over time.
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