Suggestions for a good white wine kit

[robwrx]

Hi

I would like to start a white wine kit off soon that would be drinkable this summer onwards. I tend to like the Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnays from France and wondered if anyone has produced anything like that from a kit.

I have a Beaverdale Sauvignon Blanc 6 bottle kit ageing already but would like to do a 30 bottle kit from one of the more expensive and hopefully better quality manufacturers.

Any suggestions?

Rob

[goldseal]

The Winexpert (Selection) New Zealand Sav Blanc comes highly recommended (and is on my list for this year), but generally the more expensive the kit, the longer it needs to age.

You might want to look at the Winexpert Vintners Reserve range - it falls between the Beaverdale and Selection ranges in terms of quality and price. They do a Sav Blanc, and it may be just about ready for summer if you crack on with it now .

EDIT: They do a Chamblaise, which they say will give you a crisp, off-dry wine which requires minimal ageing

[Rich]

Vintners reserve California white.. Splendid.

[spritzer]

I know you are looking for a higher end kit....
But the Beaverdale Pinot Grigio is a very good stop gap

[lockwood1956]

Beavewrdale Pinot Grigio, but replace the yeast that comes with it with a Lalvin D47,, or Gervin No5

[goldseal]

Agreed - the Beaverdale PG is good.

[robwrx]

Ok the Beaverdale PG it is then

I may also give the Winexpert New Zealand Sav Blanc a go with the view to enjoying it during the Olympics next year.

Bob, I'd already read your recommendation to replace kit yeasts with a good quality version and religiously use Lalvin for everything now.

Rob

[cpfan]

I'm a little late to this thread, but my vote would be Ken Ridge Showcase German Gewurztraminer. We make it dry, and add the Suss Reserve pack to the primary.

Another choice that I have enjoyed is the Ken Ridge Showcase New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Have not tried the Winexpert equivalent.

Both probably more money than the Beaverdale PG though.

Steve

[robwrx]

I'm a little late to this thread, but my vote would be Ken Ridge Showcase German Gewurztraminer. We make it dry, and add the Suss Reserve pack to the primary.

Another choice that I have enjoyed is the Ken Ridge Showcase New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Have not tried the Winexpert equivalent.

Both probably more money than the Beaverdale PG though.

Steve

You are not too late to this thread as I've decided to make the two kits. The Beaverdale PG is on order but I've yet to make my mind up about the second kit. The Winexpert New Zealand Sav Blanc appears to be over £100 so I kind of like your suggestion for the Ken Ridge equivalent at £70

I've not been a fan of Gewurtztraminer although I've not tried it for a number of years, maybe my tastes have changed so I should give it another go. I think for now though I will stick to making something I should like.

Rob

[cpfan]

I've not been a fan of Gewurtztraminer although I've not tried it for a number of years, maybe my tastes have changed so I should give it another go. I think for now though I will stick to making something I should like.

Many Gewurztraminers are off-dry (or even slightly sweeter). As I mentioned above we prefer it dry. If you get an opportunity to sample some G-wine, make sure you note the sweetness.

Steve

[lockwood1956]

I've not been a fan of Gewurtztraminer although I've not tried it for a number of years, maybe my tastes have changed so I should give it another go.

Make a gallon of the Lychee wine posted by Rich in the recipe thread (its a gewurztraminer clone) tis totally yum scrum

I modify the recipe to add 1 litre white grape concentrate per gallon.,....makes a fab drop of stuff

[Richard S]

Some good suggestions, Beaverdale make some pretty decent white wine kits. The Chardonnay, Sauv Blanc and White Burgundy are all good wines.

My suggestion would be a Kenridge Classic Chardonnay kit. A little bit more expensive than the Beaverdale range but this stuff is awesome and requires next to no ageing. Karl took several first places with his at the Federation show last year and it was only about 2 weeks old!!

I have 5 gallons of this on the go at the moment and no doubt will be buying another kit in the near future.

[robwrx]

Make a gallon of the Lychee wine posted by Rich in the recipe thread (its a gewurztraminer clone) tis totally yum scrum

I modify the recipe to add 1 litre white grape concentrate per gallon.,....makes a fab drop of stuff

Ha, funny you should mention that as yesterday I went on a hunt for a tin of lychees in my local supermarket but they didn't have any. I had spotted the recipe and thought I would give it a go but I haven't found any lychees yet.

Rob

[robwrx]

My suggestion would be a Kenridge Classic Chardonnay kit. A little bit more expensive than the Beaverdale range but this stuff is awesome and requires next to no ageing.

Ok, I like the suggestion, I like Chardonnay and I like the idea of being able to drink it soon after fermentation. I will add it to the list, cheers.

Rob

[lockwood1956]

Ha, funny you should mention that as yesterday I went on a hunt for a tin of lychees in my local supermarket

forgot to add....

I use two tins per gallon too