New Vine Co wine kits

[Applesnmore]

So currently sipping a 24hr vintage of Wine Expert Tempranillo and can say it is very good.
So much so I went online to.find another only to discover all out of stock
Then looking at KenRidge to see if it is in that range- no and lots out of stock.
Only to discover from Brew2Bottle that Kenridge Classic has been rebranded Vine Co original. Except its gone from a 10l kit down to 8l.
Vinecowines website the new range is a result of a new process.
So it looks like gone are California connoisseur 8l, atmosphere 14l kits and all branded Vine co. Dont know what this means for the wine expert range.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

 

[VW911]

Vine Co, California Connoisseur, Kenridge and Wine Expert, (Canadian owned, I think), are all the same company, marketed in the UK by Young's. I've just received some promotional blurb from them at work, but not had time to read it properly. From what I can remember, it looks like a lot of it is just re-branding. One of my contacts at Young's has now become part of the new Ritchies/Bevie merger, but he'll probably know what's going on. I'll try and get in touch with him tomorrow, and see what he knows...

 

[Applesnmore]

From another thread
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/new-home-professional-wine-making-kits.87647/
Looks like the wine expert range has been giggled too

 

[Graz]

From another thread
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/new-home-professional-wine-making-kits.87647/
Looks like the wine expert range has been giggled too

Bit confusing this one, looks similar to the current range - Vinters Reserve, World Vineyard, Eclipse. Similar prices but seems like 2L less grape juice concentrate in each one

 

[Applesnmore]

The packaging does them no favours. Looks cheap, doesn't look the part at all.
Smaller pack same money or more.
No doubt will end up with one but not inspired to run out and get one.

 

[VW911]

Got the promotional stuff here. Apparently, VineCo have...

... "invested £5M over the last year improving quality and new brand awareness.
One of the main benefits is during the 'pasteurization' process as this is the critical time when the 'liquid' is 'cooked'. With the new process less water is needed so the 'liquid' becomes more balanced, resulting in a more stable product - ending in "better quality" all around.
With further new styles now also added to the range(s) and with new packaging design, being bright and modern, we truly think that this will give additional visual's to gain further sales."...

(Their words, not mine!)

From what I can see, "On The House" replaces California Connoisseur,(with several varieties being dropped - including the 6 bottle kits), "Original Series" replaces Kenridge Classic, "Estate Series" replaces Atmosphere, and "Signature Series" replaces CellarCraft. "Niagara Mist" is just repackaged, with the addition of a few extra new styles. (Best left alone in my opinion!)

I have to agree, the new packaging really does not help. (I wonder who got paid thousands for that??)
I think I'll have a few unhappy customers...!

 

[Stevieleeds]

Started off new Vineco original Chardonnay and Malbec last night. Was annoyed that the price went up but 2L less concentrate, plus no oak in the Chardonnay. I wondered how they can justify this, so good to read they have improved the process, so there should be an increase in quality. Will need to add my own oak to the Chardonnay though!

 

[VW911]

I've had an "On The House" Malbec on the go for a couple of weeks.
Have to agree, having less concentrate seems a little odd, although the price is about the same.
(I only decided to try it, as I got it at cost!)
One thing that did annoy me was the fact that they are using Lalvin yeast (makes sense as that is Canadian too), but the yeast has a BBE date of 8 months before the actual BBE date on the kit box!!!
I'll post up an idea of what it's like when it's finished...

 

[Applesnmore]

Most of the Vinco kits i have made came with one packet of EC1118, the only exception being the Passport Union Red, which came with 2 packets.

@VW911 have you made California connoisseur previously by way of a benchmark by any chance?

 

[VW911]

@VW911 have you made California connoisseur previously by way of a benchmark by any chance?

Yep, Made most of the CC range over the years. Mrs VW is the main wine drinker of the house. She'll soon let me know whether it's good or not!!.
What I don't understand (and neither do the UK distributor) is why they use the EC1118, which is a sparkling wine yeast, and not the RC112 or even the general K1V strain.
Just checked the gravity, and it seems to be where it should be, so will probably start finishing it in the next couple of days...

 

[chris-s]

Hi VW911,

Out of interest what was the OG of the new kit?

I notice the abv is supposed to be 11.5, but I seem to remember the CCs were mostly 12.0.

Chris

 

[2131tom]

I've always been a fan of the Kenridge kits, after trying a few of the cheaper ones, but I'm apprehensive of the rebranded range and suspicious of all commercial hype. Has anyone yet had the chance to see how they're comparing? (BTW, my immediate thought was the new pack design was decidedly downmarket, but hopefully you can't always judge a kit by its box?)

 

[VW911]

Hi VW911,

Out of interest what was the OG of the new kit?

Sorry mate, never bother with taking an OG - it's the FG that bothers me more! As far as I know, it pretty much on a par with the original Cal Conn, so about 11.5 -12.
The Merlot that I am trialling is almost at the bottling stage - it's passed the Mrs. VW test, so it must be OK!!!
As @2131tom says - the new packaging does them no favours...

 

[chris-s]

No worries VW. I don't always bother either.

Eventually I'll run out and have to try the new ones anyway. Don't have much choice really.

Agree with you and tom on the packaging.

If only I could learn to embrace change rather than mistrust it initially. :)

 

[clyne]

Resurrecting an old thread here sorry, but for those that have tried the new 8L Vine Co Original series, what's the feedback on them? I've done a Kenridge Classic Shiraz which was amazing, and just wondering whether the reduce 8L kits are as good as the original Kenridge Classic? Planning a sauvignon blanc for the missus and maybe a malbec for myself.

 

[LED_ZEP]

Just to be clear I've not made one of the new kits as yet but I did query the reduction with the HB shop I buy from back in June and this is what they said:
The kenridge kits have been phased out and replaced by original series, that Kenridge section should be gone by the end of this week.

The manufacturers have revamped all the 30 bottle wine kits and the Beaverdale have gone down to 6 litres, the juice is now more concentrated and has no water added so should be the same taste

 

[clyne]

Thanks @LED_ZEP - that seems to be what I've read as well, I'll probably give it a go and report back (although planning to age mine for at least 3 months as the Kenridge definitely tasted miles better after a couple of months in the bottle.

 

[chris-s]

As I mentioned on another thread, I have a Vineco Trilogy (10/12/20) and a Kenridge Trilogy (12/11/20).

Perhaps a little unfair as they are both young and the Vineco only a couple of weeks in the bottle.

Both had a similar OG of near 1.093 and both finished near 0.996.

I did the side by side test and both tasted similar. Maybe that shouldn't be a surprise as they are a blend.

Most noticeable though was that the Kenridge had more body.

It's only my opinion and the result was probably closer than the comparison between a Cal Conn and On The House.

I'll test both again after a month or so.

By the way, it should be no surprise that the price has gone up. Since 2016 the pound has dropped about 15% against the Canadian Dollar and a good bit against other currencies too. Add a bit of inflation and there we are. £40 becomes £50!

I'm not sure I really buy the 'more concentrated' bit based on the tests so far but we'll see.

I would like to do a side by side with an old Beaverdale and a new Vineco, so my next Vineco purchase will be with that in mind.

I hope I've helped more than confused with all that.

 

[clyne]

Hey @chris-s - that's all really useful info, thanks. Corresponds roughly to what I've read elsewhere (another thread on this forum I think) - that although a lot of the Vineco wines are great they don't always match flavour-wise with the style of wine you are making. I'm not too fussed about that - I like all sorts of red wine - just enjoy a nice quality glass.

 

[chris-s]

The two I tested were the old and new versions of the same thing so they were expected to taste the same.

Most of the Beaverdale, Cal Conn and Kenridge were something like the style they were supposed to be for me. But I'm hardly a wine buff.

I too like to try a variety of reds, these were pretty much the acceptable quality with Kenridge being a level above the other too.

The Vineco Classic seems to be nearer the old Beaverdale than the Kenridge but as I said, early days yet.

I intend to try the new Beaverdales soon and hopefully they will turn out to be acceptable too.