Island Mist is Winexpert's range of light, sweet fruit wines, at about 6% alcohol and ready to bottle in about four weeks. At $79 per kit, or about $2.72 per bottle made at home, it is a good first kit for someone new to making wine.
What does Island Mist taste like?
Every Island Mist kit makes a sweet, light-bodied wine with a strong fruit flavour. Winexpert describes the Blackberry as a "sweet, refreshing wine beverage with a hint of tartness for balance", and the Peach Apricot as silky-smooth with "irresistible fruit character."
Which Island Mist flavours are there?
Island Wine Experts carries 16 Island Mist flavours, in reds, whites and rosés.
| Colour | Flavours |
|---|---|
| Red | Black Cherry, Black Raspberry, Blackberry, Blood Orange Sangria, Blueberry, Pomegranate, Raspberry Peach Sangria, Wildberry |
| White | Green Apple, Peach Apricot, Pineapple Pear, White Cranberry |
| Rosé | Grapefruit Passion Rosé, Raspberry Dragon Fruit, Strawberry, Strawberry Watermelon |
How strong is Island Mist compared with other wine kits?
Island Mist finishes at about 6% alcohol, roughly half the strength of the dry kits. On Winexpert's pages, the On the House kits are 11.5%, and the Reserve, Private Reserve and Limited Edition kits run from 11.5% to 14%.
How is Island Mist served?
Winexpert suggests serving Island Mist over ice or in a mixed drink. Its Blackberry page suggests serving it "over ice with a splash of soda for a berry spritzer", and its Peach Apricot page suggests mixing it into a white sangria. Two flavours, Blood Orange Sangria and Raspberry Peach Sangria, are made in that style already.
Why is Island Mist a good first kit?
Island Wine Experts calls it a good first kit for anyone new to making wine. A kit bottles in about four weeks and makes about 29 bottles, so a first batch is drinkable within two months of starting, counting the month of rest in the bottle that Island Wine Experts recommends.
For someone unsure between a fruit wine and a dry wine, the Find your wine quiz on the Island Wine Experts website suggests kits from a few questions about taste.
See all 16 Island Mist flavours, order online and pick up at 238 University Ave, Charlottetown, or choose "Make it here" to have the shop make it for $81.50 plus HST.
Related guides: Red, White, Rosé or Fruit Wine: What Kinds of Wine Can You Make From a Kit? and Classic, Reserve or Private Reserve: Which Winexpert Kit Should You Choose?.