Recommendations for a good red wine from a 6 gallon kit

[JDWALES]

I would be grateful if members could recommend a good full-bodied red wine kit. I've enjoyed success with white wines using grape juice and pineapple or orange juice, but have yet to find a kit that can produce a full-bodied red such as a Shiraz. I would be grateful for your advice.

Regards,

JDR Wales

 

[110ben]

I have made quite a few red kits now and in my opinion you cant get anything with body unless you spend a bit.
My favourite red kits are winexpert world vineyard and in particular the Australian shiraz. These come in at £49.95 from creativewinemaking.co.uk. and free delivery over £45 which is very competitive. I have also tried the Californian pinot noir which i also like. I am currently doing a kenridge classic nebbiolo which is a fiver cheaper and the same make merlot which both seem to be progressing nicely. The more juice in the kit the better the wine, seems to be the consensus, and both those kits have 10ltr juice. On a further note the Beaverdales also get good reviews but i haven't tried them. I initially made a £30 red kit which i thought tasted like alchoholic ribena so jumped passed the Beaverdale level to the £50 ish level and i am very happy with the results. Hope that helps.

 

[The Baron]

I would be grateful if members could recommend a good full-bodied red wine kit. I've enjoyed success with white wines using grape juice and pineapple or orange juice, but have yet to find a kit that can produce a full-bodied red such as a Shiraz. I would be grateful for your advice.

Regards,

JDR Wales

Try the CC kits also available at creative wines and many others.As good as £4 to £6 wines

 

[needmorstuf]

I have done
beaverdale nebiolo - good - needs a month, has body
beaverdale merlot - also good, staright away, also has body

but yes if your price point allows go for the recommendations above

 

[JDWALES]

Many thanks to all three of you for your valuable advice.

 

[tonyhibbett]

Unsurprisingly, the best red wine I ever made was from pure cabernet sauvignon grapes, aged for a year in oak. However, I have found the Cellar 7 kit version perfectly acceptable, as was the Cantina version, which uses pure Italian cabernet sauvignon concentrate. I also had success with Waitrose pure merlot juice.