Which is the best merlot wine kit

[bez]

hi all just done a couple of Young’s seven day kits which were fine. I’m looking for something a bit better that will age over six months to Xmas. I already have purchased an expensive amarone which I will start but fancied a nice merlot. Perhaps a little cheaper than the amarone any help.

 

[110ben]

I make a lot of wine and provide a lot to friends who are mainly red wine drinkers.
My go to for Merlot is California Connoisseur. Drinks well young if needed but also matures nicely and should be perfect for Christmas. My personal favourite red for maturing is the Beaverdale Cabernet/Shiraz which is a little more rounded and has a little more depth of flavour. Both of these come in at just under the £40 mark which for me is the sweet spot for reds. £30 is my sweet spot for whites and rose.
Hope that helps and remember it is all down to personal taste in the end. Enjoy

 

[bez]

I make a lot of wine and provide a lot to friends who are mainly red wine drinkers.
My go to for Merlot is California Connoisseur. Drinks well young if needed but also matures nicely and should be perfect for Christmas. My personal favourite red for maturing is the Beaverdale Cabernet/Shiraz which is a little more rounded and has a little more depth of flavour. Both of these come in at just under the £40 mark which for me is the sweet spot for reds. £30 is my sweet spot for whites and rose.
Hope that helps and remember it is all down to personal taste in the end. Enjoy

Thankyiu for that. I was looking at the beaver dale merlot. But your preference is California connoisseur.

 

[110ben]

Hi Bez
Not made the Beaverdale merlot but i shouldn't think there will be much difference between the 2... My Beaverdale cab/shiraz needs at least three months to mature in my opinion so might suit your purposes. Let us know which route you go.

 

[bez]

I went for the lovebrewing merlot superior. It looks fine clear and drinkable after 3 weeks. Just bottling and a will check again after a month.

 

[110ben]

I went for the lovebrewing merlot superior. It looks fine clear and drinkable after 3 weeks. Just bottling and a will check again after a month.

I have made that one in the past and it matures very well. Have to say didnt like it much when first done but after 4 months it was excellent. Lovebrewing premier kits are my go to for whites with the Australian style chardonnay being a firm favourite...Hope you enjoy it

 

[bez]

I have made that one in the past and it matures very well. Have to say didnt like it much when first done but after 4 months it was excellent. Lovebrewing premier kits are my go to for whites with the Australian style chardonnay being a firm favourite...Hope you enjoy it

Thanks. It’s more for the wife. I more of a beer drinker. I’ll probably make a white for Xmas. I’ll try the one you suggest

 

[The Baron]

I make a lot of wine and provide a lot to friends who are mainly red wine drinkers.
My go to for Merlot is California Connoisseur. Drinks well young if needed but also matures nicely and should be perfect for Christmas. My personal favourite red for maturing is the Beaverdale Cabernet/Shiraz which is a little more rounded and has a little more depth of flavour. Both of these come in at just under the £40 mark which for me is the sweet spot for reds. £30 is my sweet spot for whites and rose.
Hope that helps and remember it is all down to personal taste in the end. Enjoy

Plus one on this both these kits are the best for the money and wine creations are probably the best prices on these and if you buy 2 kits it will be postage free

 

[110ben]

When i make it I always leave it about 8 days before racking off for the first time. This makes it easy to degas and makes sure it has fully fermented. Just before bottling I back sweeten it to taste usually around 10 grms of sugar dissolved in very hot water.
That bit is the wifes job so never any complaints about it being to dry.
Good luck

 

[steve097]

My wife swears by the Beaverdale Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. She's the expert, I just make it!
Can anyone tell me where I can purchase screw-on taps to fit the bulldog brew beer bags. I got them before but have forgotten where. doh! Searched everywhere but no joy.

 

[Mr_S_Jerusalem]

So a while ago now I tried a red wine kit (I can't remember which one, Muntons I think or something) and it was quite watery.
Like you couldn't really say it was a proper red wine, more like a rose or something. And bear in mind I can't have got the amount of water wrong because it went into a demijohn.

So, the kits you guys mention above, do they actually taste more like a red wine? They don't come out a bit thin?

 

[Bobtheblob]

I've done California Connoisseur kits a few times and they've been great. The cheaper ones like Solomon Grundy and Youngs Winebuddy kits do tend to be watery and taste less like wine should.

 

[Mr_S_Jerusalem]

hmmm £15.49 for 6 bottles maybe I'll give that one a go some time. (Amazon)

Thanks man

 

[Bobtheblob]

They're a lot cheaper at home brew shops if you can visit one. eg £11.50.

 

[soupdragon]

Can anyone tell me where I can purchase screw-on taps to fit the bulldog brew beer bags. I got them before but have forgotten where. doh! Searched everywhere but no joy.

Are these what you're looking for?
https://darkrockbrewing.co.uk/screw-tap-for-wine-bag.html

They're listed as fitting wine kit bags. Not sure if they're the same thread though

Cheers. Tom

 

[johncrobinson]

Re:>Mr S.Jerusalem.When i make kits i allways buy the tin of booster juice to go with it. Really adds that extra body.
It only adds a couple of quids to the price.Makes all the difference.

 

[thesteve]

My wife swears by the Beaverdale Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. She's the expert, I just make it!
Can anyone tell me where I can purchase screw-on taps to fit the bulldog brew beer bags. I got them before but have forgotten where. doh! Searched everywhere but no joy.

Steve, how long do you generally leave the wine to mature? The instructions I got with mine says technically they are ready to drink once bottled but get better with age. What's your take on that?

 

[Bobtheblob]

Where do you get this "booster juice"?

 

[johncrobinson]

My local homebrew shop sells youngs product and sells the smaller tins of youngs booster for the kits
Its just grape juice but "super" concentrated very thick and rich the tins are about 200ml in.size
I dont think you will need an exact match as all your looking for is more vinuosity,flavour, and perhaps a richer colour.

Another alternative is to under brew like beer kit makers do.
So buy a 25ltr kit but only make it to (say) 20lts. (dont forget to use a bit less sugar to keep the same strength)

When i made a lot of wine from kits about 20 yrs ago quite a few were noted for being "watery"
TBH i thought this would have been sorted by now.
But i guess grape juice is expensive.

 

[Mr_S_Jerusalem]

Re:>Mr S.Jerusalem.When i make kits i allways buy the tin of booster juice to go with it. Really adds that extra body.
It only adds a couple of quids to the price.Makes all the difference.

Booster can is a good idea but they cost about £5 for 250ml in our wilko. That’s quite a lot extra money to spend considering the cost of the kit. Better to get red grape juice like I think someone
Already mentioned.