The three ranges differ in how much juice comes in the box, how long the wine takes and what it costs. Classic holds 8 litres and takes about four weeks, Reserve holds 10 litres and takes about six, and Private Reserve holds 14 litres and takes six to eight, including reds made with grape skins. Every one of them makes 23 litres of wine, about 29 bottles.
How do the Winexpert ranges compare?
Island Wine Experts carries seven Winexpert ranges, shown here at the shop's current prices.
| Range | Juice in the box | Weeks to bottle | Kit price | Per bottle, made at home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On the House | 6 L | about 4 | $69 | about $2.37 |
| Island Mist | 6 L | about 4 | $79 | about $2.72 |
| Classic | 8 L | about 4 | $99 | about $3.41 |
| Reserve | 10 L | about 6 | $138 | about $4.75 |
| Private Reserve | 14 L | 6 to 8 | $180 | about $6.20 |
| Limited Edition | 14 L | 6 to 8 | $165 | about $5.68 |
| Revelation | 10 L (makes about 15 bottles) | about 8 | $170 | about $11.33 |
What does more juice in the kit change?
Each kit is topped up with water to the same 23 litres, so a bigger box means a larger share of the finished wine comes from grape juice: 8 litres in a Classic kit, 14 in a Private Reserve. Winexpert describes the ranges in that order, from Classic as "approachable & easy drinking", to Reserve with "exceptional body, flavour and aroma", to Private Reserve as "the very best wine you can make."
The bigger kits also take longer to make, from bottling on day 28 for a Classic kit to as late as day 56 for Private Reserve. Winexpert's instructions add an extra step for any wine that will age more than three months.
Which wine kit suits everyday drinking?
On the House and Classic are the everyday ranges. Both are ready to bottle in about four weeks and cost the least per bottle. Winexpert calls On the House "easy-drinking everyday house wines" and makes it in red, white and blush styles. Classic covers reds, whites and a rosé from named grapes and regions, such as a Chilean Merlot or an Italian Pinot Grigio.
Which wine kit suits a special bottle?
Private Reserve, Limited Edition and Revelation are the ranges for a special bottle or a longer wait. Private Reserve includes the reds made with grape skins, such as a Super Tuscan and a Stag's Leap District Merlot. Limited Edition is Winexpert's yearly set of five wines from different regions, sold by pre-order. Revelation is a small-lot Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, about 15 bottles per kit.
Where does Island Mist fit?
Island Mist is the light, sweet fruit-wine range, ready in about four weeks, and a good first kit for someone new to making wine. The flavours run from Black Cherry and Wildberry to Peach Apricot and Raspberry Peach Sangria, in reds, whites and rosés.
How do you choose a wine kit if you're not sure?
Choose by when you want to drink the wine, how sweet you like it, its colour and what it costs per bottle.
- When do you want to drink it? For wine in about two months, choose a four-week range (On the House, Classic or Island Mist).
- Dry or sweet? Island Mist is sweet. Most other kits are dry.
- Red, white or rosé? Every range except Revelation offers more than one.
- What do you want to spend per bottle? Use the table above.
The Find your wine quiz suggests kits from a few questions about what you like to drink, and every range is in the online shop for pickup at 238 University Ave, Charlottetown.
Related guides: Island Mist: A Light, Sweet Wine Kit to Start With and Red, White, Rosé or Fruit Wine: What Kinds of Wine Can You Make From a Kit?.