Top 100 Wine Kits of 2018

This past April, experienced judges evaluated a total of 694 wine kit entries as part of the overall 2018 WineMaker International Amateur Wine Competition. This large collection of kit entries was sent into the competition from across North America. The 694 wine kit entries were entered into over 30 different categories and represented a broad selection of varietals and blends from all major kit manufacturers.  Over the course of three days, wine judging panels examined all entries, both kit and non-kit, using the University of California-Davis 20-point wine scale giving their scores on appearance, aroma, taste, aftertaste, and overall impression. All judging was done blind meaning those evaluating each entry were given a pre-poured glass of wine with absolutely no identification attached except a tracking number. The judges had no idea about the entrant’s name or even whether the entry was made from a kit or fresh fruit. All the judges knew about each entry was the category entered. Entries were awarded gold, silver, bronze, and Best of Show medals based on the average score given by the judging panel. A full rundown of the 2018 medalists can be found at https://winemakermag.com/wp-content/uploads/18compresults.pdf

We’ve found many WineMaker readers looking to purchase a wine kit would refer back to each year’s competition results as a third-party list of specific wine kits that scored well in the blind judging and thus are capable of producing an award-winning wine. Eleven years ago we decided to go one step further and put the spotlight on the top 100 scoring kits from the competition. What follows is the 2018 ranking based on the average scores given by judges of the top performing kit entries this year. By extending all the judging scores out to the furthest decimal point we were able to compile this ranked list of those kit entries that had the highest average scores in the 2018 competition from among the 694 kit entries.

This kit list represents the top 100 scoring kit entries with the highest average scores from 2018 that have shown the potential in a blind judging format to make excellent wines. We organized these top kits not only in numerical order, but also broken out into general wine style categories for easy reference. Cheers!

1. Winexpert Selection Spéciale Riesling Icewine Style 2. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Italian Amarone 3. Mosti Mondiale Fresco Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 4. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Grenache Cabernet 5. RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Peach Perfection 6. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru German Gewürztraminer 7. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Zinfandel 8. Vintner’s Harvest Cherry 9. Winexpert Vintner’s Reserve Pinot Blanc 10. Winexpert Selection Spéciale Chocolate Raspberry Dessert Wine 11. Alexander and Sons Muscat 12. Master Vintner France Jolie Sauvignon Blanc 13. RJS Craft Winemaking Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Carmenere 14. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Black Forest Dessert Wine 15. Vineco Cellar Craft Sterling Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre 16. RJS Craft Winemaking Cellar Classic Winery Series Tuscan Red 17. RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Plum Passion 18. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Italy Rosso Grande Eccellente 19. Winexpert Island Mist Peach Apricot Chardonnay 20. Vintner’s Harvest Raspberry 21. RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Acai Raspberry Rapture 22. Winexpert Aprés Chocolate Salted Caramel Dessert Wine 23. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select International Niagara Baco Noir 24. Winexpert World Vineyard Washington Riesling 25. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Raspberry Mocha Dessert Wine 26. RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Strawberry Sensation 27. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Pinot Grigio 28. Alexander and Sons Malvasia Bianca 29. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Spanish Valencia Milagro 30. Master Vintner Limited Edition Chardonnay 31. RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Peach Chardonnay 32. Winexpert Selection Spéciale Selection Port 33. RJS Craft Winemaking Cellar Classic Winemaker’s Trio White 34. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Winemaker’s Trio Red 35. Winexpert Island Mist Green Apple Riesling 36. Winexpert Island Mist Blackberry Pinot Noir 37. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Brandy Cassis Dessert Wine 38. Alexander and Sons Gewürztraminer 39. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Italian Valpola 40. Winexpert Island Mist Pomegranate Zinfandel 41. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Toasted Caramel Dessert Wine 42. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Cabernet Franc Dessert Style Wine 43. RJS Craft Winemaking Hightail Series Niagara Chardonnay 44. Vineco Atmosphere Australian Chardonnay 45. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Germany Riesling Gewürztraminer 46. Mosti Mondiale Renaissance Castel Del Papa 47. Alexander and Sons Merlot 48. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Vidal Ice Wine 49. RJS Craft Winemaking RQ French Chardonnay 50. Winexpert Selection Piesporter 51. RJS Craft Winemaking RQ French Sauvignon Blanc 52. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Amarone 53. Vineco Passport Series Kookaburra Red 54. RJS Craft Winemaking Grand Cru Verdicchio 55. Winexpert Eclipse Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 56. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Australian Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec 57. RJS Craft Winemaking Mivino Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 58. Winexpert Island Mist Raspberry Dragon Fruit Shiraz 59. RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Rockin’ Raspberry 60. Winexpert Island Mist Exotic Fruit White Zinfandel 61. Winexpert Selection Spéciale White Chocolate Port 62. Winexpert Eclipse Dry Creek Chardonnay 63. Mosti Mondiale Mosto Fresco Amorosso 64. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Washington Yakima Valley Cabernet Franc 65. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select RQ La Batalla 66. Winexpert Selection Limited Release Eclipse Bravado 67. Mosti Mondiale Fresco South African Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 68. Winexpert Island Mist Black Cherry Pinot Noir 69. Winexpert Island Mist Raspberry Peach Sangria 70. Winexpert Selection Spéciale Sherry 71. Mosti Mondiale Renaissance Italian Pinot Grigio 72. Winexpert Eclipse Mosel Valley Gewürztraminer 73. RJS Craft Winemaking Mivino Chilean Sauvignon Blanc 74. Mosti Mondiale Original All Juice Italian Trebbiano 75. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Sangiovese 76. Fontana Select Barolo 77. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Valpolicella Ripassa 78. Winexpert World Vineyard Australian Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre 79. Winexpert Selection California White Zinfandel 80. Vintner’s Cellar Supreme Bourgeron Rouge 81. Winexpert Selection California White Merlot 82. Mosti Mondiale All Juice Nero D’Avola 83. Winexpert Selection Spéciale Coffee Port Style 84. Winexpert Selection International Italian Montepulciano 85. Winexpert Eclipse Forza 86. Winexpert Selection International Australian Chardonnay 87. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series South African Sauvignon Blanc 88. Winexpert Eclipse Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 89. RJS Craft Winemaking Grand Cru International Müller-Thurgau 90. Winexpert Selection Luna Bianca 91. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Spanish Grenache Syrah 92. RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Seville Orange Sangria 93. Vineco KenRidge Showcase South African Chenin Blanc 94. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select French Merlot 95. Winexpert Selection Spéciale Red Velvet Dessert Wine 96. Master Vintner Tropical Bliss Raspberry Merlot 97. Mosti Mondiale Bodega Port Style 98. RJS Craft Winemaking RQ Tjungu 99. Winexpert World Vineyard German Müller-Thurgau 100. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition California Blanc De Noir

Top 100 Wine Kits by Varietal/Style

Note: Number in parentheses is the overall top 100 kit ranking

MERLOT

Alexander and Sons Merlot (47) RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select French  Merlot (94)

ZINFANDEL

Winexpert Eclipse Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel (55)

OTHER RED VARIETALS

RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select International  Niagara Baco Noir (23) Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Wash ington Yakima Valley Cabernet Franc (64) RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Sangiovese (75) Fontana Select Barolo (76) Mosti Mondiale All Juice Nero D’Avola (82) Winexpert Selection International Italian    Montepulciano (84)

AMARONE-STYLE RED BLENDS

RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery  Series Italian Amarone (2) RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Amarone (52)

SUPER TUSCAN-STYLE RED BLENDS

RJS Craft Winemaking Cellar Classic Winery    Series Tuscan Red (16) Winexpert Selection Limited Release  Eclipse Bravado (66)

OTHER RED VINIFERA BLENDS

Mosti Mondiale Fresco Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot (3) Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Grenache Cabernet (4) RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Zinfandel (7) RJS Craft Winemaking Cabernet Sauvignon  Malbec Carménere (13) Vineco Cellar Craft Sterling Grenache Syrah  Mourvèdre (15) RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery  Series Italy Rosso Grande Eccellente (18) Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Spanish Valencia Milagro (29) RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Winemaker’s Trio Red (34) RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Italian Valpola (39) Mosti Mondiale Renaissance Castel Del Papa (46) Vineco Passport Series Kookaburra Red (53) RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Australian Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec (56) RJS Craft Winemaking Mivino Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot (57) Mosti Mondiale Mosto Fresco Amorosso (63) RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select RQ La Batalla (65) Mosti Mondiale Fresco South African Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz (67) RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Valpolicella Ripassa (77) Winexpert World Vineyard Australian Grenache Syrah Mourvedre (78) Vintner’s Cellar Supreme Bourgeron Rouge (80) Winexpert Eclipse Forza (85) RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Spanish Grenache Syrah (91) RJS Craft Winemaking RQ Tjungu (98)

CHARDONNAY

Master Vintner Limited Edition Chardonnay (30) RJS Craft Winemaking Hightail Series Niagara Chardonnay (43) Vineco Atmosphere Australian Chardonnay (44) RJS Craft Winemaking RQ French Chardonnay (49) Winexpert Eclipse Dry Creek Chardonnay (62) Winexpert Selection International Australian Chardonnay (86) Winexpert Selection Luna Bianca (90)

SAUVIGNON BLANC

Master Vintner France Jolie Sauvignon Blanc (12) RJS Craft Winemaking RQ French Sauvignon Blanc (51) RJS Craft Winemaking Mivino Chilean Sauvignon Blanc (73) RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series South African Sauvignon Blanc (87) Winexpert Eclipse Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (88)

PINOT GRIGIO/GRIS

RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery  Series Pinot Grigio (27) Mosti Mondiale Renaissance Italian Pinot  Grigio (71)

GEWÜRZTRAMINER

RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select German Gewürztraminer (6) Alexander and Sons Gewürztraminer (38) Winexpert Eclipse Mosel Valley Gewürztraminer (72)

RIESLING

Winexpert World Vineyard Washington Riesling (24) Winexpert Selection Piesporter (50)

MüLLER-THURGAU

RJS Craft Winemaking Grand Cru International Müller-Thurgau (89) Winexpert World Vineyard German Müller-Thurgau (99)

OTHER WHITE VARIETALS

Winexpert Vintner’s Reserve Pinot Blanc (9) Alexander and Sons Muscat (11) Alexander and Sons Malvasia Bianca (28) RJS Craft Winemaking Grand Cru Verdicchio (54) Mosti Mondiale Original All Juice Italian Trebbiano (74) Vineco KenRidge Showcase South African Chenin Blanc (93)

WHITE VINIFERA BLENDS

RJS Craft Winemaking Cellar Classic Winemaker’s Trio White (33) RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Germany Riesling Gewürztraminer (45)

ROSÉ/BLUSH

Winexpert Selection California White Zinfandel (79) Winexpert Selection California White Merlot (81) Winexpert Selection Limited Edition California Blanc De Noir (100)

LATE HARVEST & ICE WINE STYLE

Winexpert Selection Spéciale Riesling Icewine Style (1) RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Cabernet Franc Dessert Style Wine (42) RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Vidal Ice Wine (48)

PORT & SHERRY STYLE

Winexpert Selection Spéciale Selection Port (32) Winexpert Selection Spéciale Sherry (70) Mosti Mondiale Bodega Port Style (97)

DESSERT STYLE

Winexpert Selection Spéciale Chocolate Raspberry Dessert Wine (10) RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Black Forest Dessert Wine (14) Winexpert Aprés Chocolate Salted Caramel Dessert Wine (22) RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Raspberry Mocha Dessert Wine (25) RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Brandy Cassis Dessert Wine (37) RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Toasted Caramel Dessert Wine (41) Winexpert Selection Spéciale White Chocolate Port (61) Winexpert Selection Spéciale Coffee Port Style (83) Winexpert Selection Spéciale Red Velvet Dessert Wine (95)

GRAPE & NON-GRAPE BLENDS

Winexpert Island Mist Peach Apricot Chardonnay (19) RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Peach Chardonnay (31) Winexpert Island Mist Green Apple Riesling (35) Winexpert Island Mist Blackberry Pinot Noir (36) Winexpert Island Mist Pomegranate Zinfandel (40) Winexpert Island Mist Raspberry Dragon Fruit Shiraz (58) Winexpert Island Mist Exotic Fruit White Zinfandel (60) Winexpert Island Mist Black Cherry Pinot Noir (68) Winexpert Island Mist Raspberry Peach Sangria (69) RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Seville  Orange Sangria (92) Master Vintner Tropical Bliss Raspberry Merlot (96)

NON-GRAPE COUNTRY FRUITS

RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Peach Perfection (5) Vintner’s Harvest Cherry (8) RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Plum Passion (17) Vintner’s Harvest Raspberry (20) RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Acai Raspberry Rapture (21) RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Strawberry Sensation (26) RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Rockin’ Raspberry (59)