Top 100 Wine Kits of 2019

This past April, experienced judges evaluated a total of 646 wine kit entries as part of the overall 2019 WineMaker International Amateur Wine Competition featuring 2,305 total entries. This large collection of kit entries was sent into the competition from across North America. The 646 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 2019 medalists can be found at: https://winemakermag.com/competition/competition-results

Many WineMaker readers looking to purchase a wine kit regularly 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 proven capable of producing an award-winning wine. One dozen 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 2019 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 2019 competition from among the 646 kit entries.

This list represents the top 100 scoring kit entries with the highest average scores from 2019 that have shown the potential in a blind judging format to make excellent wines. These top kits are not only organized in numerical order, but also broken out into general wine style categories for easy reference. Cheers!

1. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Black Forest Dessert Wine
2. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Coffee Dessert Wine 
3. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Crème Brûlée Port Style
4. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Italian Super Tuscan
5. Vintner’s Best Strawberry
6. Winexpert Selection Speciale Riesling Ice Wine
7. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Raspberry Mocha Dessert Wine
8. Winexpert Island Mist Peach Apricot Chardonnay
9. Winexpert Speciale Chocolate Raspberry Dessert Wine
10. Winexpert Aprés Peach Ice Wine Style
11. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Chilean Malbec
12. Winexpert World Vineyard California Zinfandel
13. Winexpert Selection Speciale Cabernet Franc Ice Wine
14. Vineco Cellar Craft Specialty Porto Corinto
15. RJS Craft Winemaking RQ Spanish Tempranillo
16. Winexpert Island Mist Black Cherry Pinot Noir
17. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Australian Petit Ruby Cabernet
18. Winexpert Aprés Chocolate Salted Caramel Port
19. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Super Tuscan
20. Winexpert Eclipse Nocturnal
21. Winexpert Aprés Riesling Ice Wine Style
22. RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Peach Perfection
23. Winexpert Selection Italian Brunello Style
24. Vin Bon Classic Cabernet Sauvignon
25. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru International Ontario Sauvignon Blanc
26. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Vanilla Fig Dessert Wine
27. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Australian Shiraz
28. Winexpert World Vineyard Pacific Quartet
29. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Italy Style Valpola
30. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Winemaker’s Trio Red
31. Vineco Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Washington State Merlot
32. RJS Craft Winemaking Grand Cru International Okanagan Meritage
33. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Italian Negroamaro
34. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select International California Muscat
35. Winexpert Selection Australian Chardonnay
36. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select French Cabernet Sauvignon
37. Winexpert Vintners Reserve Bergamais
38. RJS Craft Winemaking Grand Cru Pinot Noir
39. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Vidal Ice Wine
40. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Spanish Milagro Blanco
41. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Cabernet Syrah Zinfandel
42. Winexpert Selection Argentine Malbec 
43. RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Acai Red Raspbarry Cabernet Sauvignon
44. Winexpert Selection Vieux Chateau du Roi
45. Winexpert Selection California Chardonnay
46. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Italian Sangiovese
47. Vintner’s Harvest Black Currant Dessert Wine
48. RJS Craft Winemaking RQ Shiraz Viognier
49. Vineco Atmosphere Australian Chardonnay
50. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Rosso Grande Eccelente
51. RJS Craft Winemaking RQ Chilean Carmenere
52. Mosti Mondiale Meglioli Rojo Grande
53. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Italian Amarone
54. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru International French Rosé
55. RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Pomegranate Wildberry Wave
56. Vineco Passport Series Sonoma Valley California Pinot Noir
57. Winexpert World Vineyard California Pink Moscato
58. Winexpert Vintners Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
59. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Cabernet Franc
60. Vineco Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel
61. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Toasted Caramel Dessert Wine
62. Winexpert Eclipse Mosel Valley Gewürztraminer
63. RJS Craft Winemaking Hightail Niagara Chardonnay
64. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Chile Merlot
65. Mosti Mondiale Fresco Italian Amorosso
66. Winexpert Eclipse Napa Valley Stag’s Leap District Merlot
67. Winexpert World Vineyard Australian Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre
68. RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Very Black Cherry
69. Winexpert Eclipse Lodi Ranch II Cabernet Sauvignon
70. Winexpert Selection Australian Shiraz
71. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Gewürztraminer
72. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Zinfandel
73. Vineco Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Cabernet Sauvignon
74. RJS Craft Winemaking RQ German Riesling
75. RJS Craft Winemaking Grand Cru Zinfandel Blush
76. Winexpert Vintners Reserve Riesling
77. RJS Craft Winemaking Grand Cru International California Syrah
78. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Grenache Syrah
79. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Cabernet Sauvignon
80. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Australian Cabernet Sauvignon Grenache
81. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Sauvignon Blanc
82. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Australian Cabernet Shiraz
83. Winexpert Eclipse Barossa Valley Australian Shiraz
84. Winexpert Eclipse Italian Nebbiolo
85. Winexpert Selection California Gewürztraminer
86. ABC Cork Co. Fontana Premium Zinfandel Blush
87. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Australian Cabernet Sauvignon 
88. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Winemaker’s Trio White
89. Winexpert Selection Italian Pinot Grigio
90. Winexpert Eclipse Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir
91. Vineco KenRidge Classic Zinfandel
92. Winexpert Eclipse Columbia Valley Riesling
93. Winexpert World Vineyard Müller-Thurgau
94. Winexpert World Vineyard California Trinity Red
95. Vineco Atmosphere California Riesling
96. Vineco Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Viognier
97. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition South African Chardonnay
98. Vineco Passport Series Aglianico Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
99. Vineco Cellar Craft Showcase Amarone
100. Winexpert World Vineyard Chilean Merlot

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Vin Bon Classic Cabernet Sauvignon (24)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select French Cabernet Sauvignon (36)
Winexpert Vintners Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (58)
Winexpert Eclipse Lodi Ranch II Cabernet Sauvignon (69)
Vineco Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Cabernet Sauvignon (73)
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Cabernet Sauvignon (79)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Australian Cabernet Sauvignon (87)

MALBEC
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Chilean Malbec (11)
Winexpert Selection Argentine Malbec (42)

MERLOT
Vineco Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Washington State Merlot (31)
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Chile Merlot (64)
Winexpert Eclipse Napa Valley Stag’s Leap District Merlot (66)
Winexpert World Vineyard Chilean Merlot (100)

PINOT NOIR
RJS Craft Winemaking Grand Cru Pinot Noir (38)
Vineco Passport Series Sonoma Valley California Pinot Noir (56)
Winexpert Eclipse Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir (90)

SANGIOVESE
Winexpert Selection Italian Brunello Style (23)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Italian Sangiovese (46)

SYRAH/SHIRAZ
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Australian Shiraz (27)
RJS Craft Winemaking RQ Shiraz Viognier (48)
Winexpert Selection Australian Shiraz (70)
RJS Craft Winemaking Grand Cru International California Syrah (77)
Winexpert Eclipse Barossa Valley Australian Shiraz (83)

ZINFANDEL
Winexpert World Vineyard California Zinfandel (12)
Vineco Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel (60)
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery  Series Zinfandel (72)
Vineco KenRidge Classic Zinfandel (91)

OTHER RED VARIETALS
RJS Craft Winemaking RQ Spanish Tempranillo (15)
Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Italian Negroamaro (33)
Winexpert Vintners Reserve Bergamais (37)
RJS Craft Winemaking RQ Chilean Carmenere (51)
Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Cabernet Franc (59)
Winexpert Eclipse Italian Nebbiolo (84)

AMARONE-STYLE RED BLENDS
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Italian Amarone (53)
Vineco Cellar Craft Showcase Amarone (99)

SUPER TUSCAN-STYLE RED BLENDS
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Italian Super Tuscan (4)
Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Super Tuscan (19)

OTHER RED VINIFERA BLENDS
Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Australian Petit Ruby Cabernet (17)
Winexpert Eclipse Nocturnal (20)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Italy Style Valpola (29)
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Winemaker’s Trio Red (30)
RJS Craft Winemaking Grand Cru International Okanagan Meritage (32)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Cabernet Syrah Zinfandel (41)
Winexpert Selection Vieux Chateau du Roi (44)
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Rosso Grande Eccelente (50)
Mosti Mondiale Meglioli Rojo Grande (52)
Mosti Mondiale Fresco Italian Amorosso (65)
Winexpert World Vineyard Australian Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre (67)
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Grenache Syrah (78)
Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Australian Cabernet Sauvignon Grenache (80)
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Australian Cabernet Shiraz (82)
Winexpert World Vineyard California Trinity Red (94)
Vineco Passport Series Aglianico Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot (98)

CHARDONNAY
Winexpert Selection Australian Chardonnay (35)
Winexpert Selection California Chardonnay (45)
Vineco Atmosphere Australian Chardonnay (49)
RJS Craft Winemaking Hightail Niagara Chardonnay (63)
Winexpert Selection Limited Edition South African Chardonnay (97)

GEWÜRZTRAMINER
Winexpert Eclipse Mosel Valley Gewürztraminer (62)
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Gewürztraminer (71)
Winexpert Selection California Gewürztraminer (85)

PINOT GRIGIO/GRIS
Winexpert Selection Italian Pinot Grigio (89)

RIESLING
RJS Craft Winemaking RQ German Riesling (74)
Winexpert Vintners Reserve Riesling (76)
Winexpert Eclipse Columbia Valley Riesling (92)
Vineco Atmosphere California Riesling (95)

SAUVIGNON BLANC
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru International Ontario Sauvignon Blanc (25)
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Sauvignon Blanc (81)

OTHER WHITE VARIETALS
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select International California Muscat (34)
Winexpert World Vineyard Müller-Thurgau (93)
Vineco Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Viognier (96)

WHITE VINIFERA BLENDS
Winexpert World Vineyard Pacific Quartet (28)
Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Spanish Milagro Blanco (40)
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Winemaker’s Trio White (88)

ROSÉ/BLUSH
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru International French Rosé (54)
Winexpert World Vineyard California Pink Moscato (57)
RJS Craft Winemaking Grand Cru Zinfandel Blush (75)
ABC Cork Co. Fontana Premium Zinfandel Blush (86)

LATE HARVEST & ICE WINE STYLE
Winexpert Selection Speciale Riesling Ice Wine (6)
Winexpert Aprés Peach Ice Wine Style (10)
Winexpert Selection Speciale Cabernet Franc Ice Wine (13)
Winexpert Aprés Riesling Ice Wine Style (21)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Vidal Ice Wine (39)

PORT & SHERRY STYLE
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Crème Brûlée Port Style (3)
Vineco Cellar Craft Specialty Porto Corinto (14)
Winexpert Aprés Chocolate Salted Caramel Port (18)

DESSERT STYLE
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Black Forest Dessert Wine (1)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Coffee Dessert Wine (2)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Raspberry Mocha Dessert Wine (7)
Winexpert Speciale Chocolate Raspberry Dessert Wine (9)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Vanilla Fig Dessert Wine (26)
Vintner’s Harvest Black Currant Dessert Wine (47)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Toasted Caramel Dessert Wine (61)

GRAPE & NON-GRAPE BLENDS
Winexpert Island Mist Peach Apricot Chardonnay (8)
Winexpert Island Mist Black Cherry Pinot Noir (16)
RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Acai Red Raspberry Cabernet Sauvignon (43)

NON-GRAPE COUNTRY FRUITS
Vintner’s Best Strawberry (5)
RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Peach Perfection (22)
RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Pomegranate Wildberry Wave (55)
RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Very Black Cherry (68)