Top 100 Wine Kits of 2022

This past April, experienced judges evaluated a total of 403 wine kit entries as part of the overall 2022 WineMaker International Amateur Wine Competition that had a grand total of 1,772 entries. This large collection of kit entries was sent into the competition from across North America. The 403 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 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 2022 medalists can be found at: https://winemakermag.com/competition/22compresults

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. 15 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 2022 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 2022 competition from among the 403 kit entries.

This kit list represents the top 100 scoring kit entries with the highest average scores from 2022 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 Après Riesling Ice Wine
2. Vintner’s Best Mango
3. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Crème Brûlée
4. RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Peach Perfection
5. Winexpert Classic Washington Riesling
6. Winexpert Island Mist Blueberry
7. RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Acai Raspberry
8. Winexpert Washington Pinot Gris
9. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Limited Release Coffee Dessert Wine
10. Winexpert Limited Edition Grenache Tannat Shiraz
11. Winexpert Speciale Peppermint Mocha Dessert
12. Winexpert Marlborough New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
13. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Black Forest Dessert
14. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Italian Super Tuscan 
15. Winexpert Après Peach Ice Wine
16. Winexpert Après Chocolate Raspberry Dessert Wine
17. Winexpert Eclipse Mosel Valley Gewürztraminer 
18. RJS Craft Winemaking RQ Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Syrah
19. Winexpert Limited Edition Pacific Quartet
20. Master Vintner Winemaker’s Reserve Riesling
21. Winexpert Limited Edition New Zealand Fumé Blanc
22. Master Vintner Winemaker’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
23. Winexpert Island Mist Black Cherry
24. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Toasted Caramel
25. Winexpert Limited Edition Black Cabernet Cabernet Sauvignon Gamay Noir
26. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Vanilla Fig Dessert
27. Vintner’s Best Cherry
28. Winexpert Classic Italian Sangiovese
29. RJS Craft Winemaking Raspberry Mocha Dessert Wine
30. Wild Grapes Premium Australian Chardonnay
31. Winexpert Selection Luna Rossa
32. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru International German Müller-Thurgau
33. RJS Craft Winemaking Cabernet Franc
34. Master Vintner Winemaker’s Reserve Pinot Grigio
35. VineCo Estate Series Italian Primo Rosso
36. RJS Craft Winemaking Grand Cru Chardonnay
37. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru California Moscato
38. Winexpert Late Harvest Riesling
39. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Spain Grenache Syrah
40. Finer Wine Kits Forte Series Zinfandel
41. Winexpert Selection Vieux Chateau du Roi
42. RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Seville Orange Sangria
43. Winexpert Island Mist Blood Orange Sangria
44. Winexpert Private Reserve Odyssey Barossa Valley Australian Shiraz
45. Winexpert World Vineyard Pink Moscato
46. Winexpert Limited Edition Synergy
47. Winexpert Private Reserve Napa Valley Stag’s Leap Merlot
48. Winexpert Selection Chilean Carménère
49. Winexpert Private Reserve California Sauvignon Blanc
50. Winexpert Private Reserve Dry Creek Sonoma Chardonnay
51. Winexpert Classic Diablo Rojo
52. Winexpert Après Toasted Marshmallow Dessert
53. Winexpert Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
54. Winexpert Limited Edition Torrontés Muscat
55. Vintner’s Harvest Blackberry
56. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty White Chocolate Dessert Wine
57. RJS Craft Winemaking Restricted Quantities France Rosé
58. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Malbec
59. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Italian Valpola
60. VineCo Original Series Italian Pinot Grigio
61. Winexpert Limited Edition California Yolo County Chardonnay Muscat Chenin Blanc
62. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Italian Amarone
63. Winexpert Island Mist Coconut Yuzu
64. Winexpert Island Mist Kiwi Pear
65. Winexpert Private Reserve Zinfandel
66. Winexpert Private Reserve Boomerang Red
67. VineCo Original Series California Chardonnay
68. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Sauvignon Blanc
69. Winexpert Classic California Moscato
70. Finer Wine Kits Forte Series Cabernet Sauvignon
71. Winexpert Eclipse Three Moons California Italian Australian Cabernet Sauvignon 
72. Winexpert Reserve Spanish Tempranillo
73. RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Italian Zinfandel
74. Winexpert Private Reserve Australian Grenache
75. Winexpert Island Mist White Cranberry
76. VineCo Original Series Washington Riesling
77. Winexpert Limited Edition Italian Nerello
78. Vintner’s Best Blood Orange
79. Mosti Mondiale L’Originale Merlot
80. Winexpert Island Mist Green Apple Riesling
81. Winexpert Private Reserve Bordeaux Style Languedoc Blend
82. RJS Craft Winemaking RQ Spain Muscat
83. Winexpert Limited Edition Symphony Gewürztraminer
84. Winexpert Island Mist Raspberry Peach Sangria
85. RJS Craft Winemaking RQ Sauvignon Blanc
86. RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Strawberry Sensation
87. Winexpert Private Reserve Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir
88. VineCo Signature Series Zinfandel
89. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru International California Chardonnay
90. Winexpert Private Reserve Piedmont Nebbiolo
91. RJS Craft Winemaking California Pinot Noir
92. VineCo Niagara Mist Mango Passion Fruit
93. RJS Craft Winemaking Grand Cru Merlot
94. Finer Wine Kits Tavola Series Lodi Merlot
95. Winexpert Private Reserve Italian Dolcetto
96. Vintner’s Best Dandelion
97. RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Okanagan Valley Meritage
98. Mosti Mondiale L’Originale Nero D’Avola
99. ABC Cork Co. Fontana Washington State Merlot
100. VineCo Passport Series Merlot

Top 100 Wine Kits By Varietal/Wine Style 

Note: Top 100 rank listed in parentheses

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Winexpert Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (53)
Finer Wine Kits Forte Series Cabernet Sauvignon (70)
Winexpert Eclipse Three Moons California Italian Australian Cabernet Sauvignon (71)

MERLOT
Winexpert Private Reserve Napa Valley Stag’s Leap Merlot (47)
Mosti Mondiale L’Originale Merlot (79)
RJS Craft Winemaking Grand Cru Merlot (93)
Finer Wine Kits Tavola Series Lodi Merlot (94)
ABC Cork Co.  Fontana Washington State Merlot (99)
VineCo Passport Series Merlot (100)

PINOT NOIR
Winexpert Private Reserve Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir (87)
RJS Craft Winemaking California Pinot Noir (91)

ZINFANDEL
Finer Wine Kits Forte Series Zinfandel (40)
Winexpert Private Reserve Zinfandel (65)
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Italian Zinfandel (73)
VineCo Signature Series Zinfandel (88)

OTHER RED VARIETALS
Winexpert Classic Italian Sangiovese (28)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cabernet Franc (33)
Winexpert Private Reserve Odyssey Barossa Valley Australian Shiraz (44)
Winexpert Selection Chilean Carménère (48)
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Malbec (58)
Winexpert Reserve Spanish Tempranillo (72)
Winexpert Private Reserve Australian Grenache (74)
Winexpert Limited Edition Italian Nerello (77)
Winexpert Private Reserve Piedmont Nebbiolo (90)
Winexpert Private Reserve Italian Dolcetto (95)
Mosti Mondiale L’Originale Nero D’Avola (98)

RED BLENDS
Winexpert Limited Edition Grenache Tannat Shiraz (10)
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Italian Super Tuscan (14)
RJS Craft Winemaking RQ Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Syrah (18)
Winexpert Limited Edition Pacific Quartet (19)
Master Vintner Winemaker’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot (22)
Winexpert Limited Edition Black Cabernet Cabernet Sauvignon Gamay Noir (25)
Winexpert Selection Luna Rossa (31)
VineCo Estate Series Italian Primo Rosso (35)
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Spain Grenache Syrah (39)
Winexpert Selection Vieux Chateau du Roi (41)
Winexpert Classic Diablo Rojo (51)
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Italian Valpola (59)
RJS Craft Winemaking En Primeur Winery Series Italian Amarone (62)
Winexpert Private Reserve Boomerang Red (66)
Winexpert Private Reserve Bordeaux Style Languedoc Blend (81)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Okanagan Valley Meritage (97)

CHARDONNAY
Wild Grapes Premium Australian Chardonnay (30)
RJS Craft Winemaking Grand Cru Chardonnay (36)
Winexpert Private Reserve Dry Creek Sonoma Chardonnay (50)
VineCo Original Series California Chardonnay (67)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru International California Chardonnay (89)

MUSCAT
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru California Moscato (37)
Winexpert Classic California Moscato (69)
RJS Craft Winemaking RQ Spain Muscat (82)

PINOT GRIGIO/GRIS
Winexpert Washington Pinot Gris (8)
Master Vintner Winemaker’s Reserve Pinot Grigio (34)
VineCo Original Series Italian Pinot Grigio (60)

RIESLING
Winexpert Classic Washington Riesling (5)
Master Vintner Winemaker’s Reserve Riesling (20)
VineCo Original Series Washington Riesling (76)

SAUVIGNON BLANC
Winexpert Marlborough New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (12)
Winexpert Limited Edition New Zealand Fumé Blanc (21)
Winexpert Private Reserve California Sauvignon Blanc (49)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select Sauvignon Blanc (68)
RJS Craft Winemaking RQ Sauvignon Blanc (85)

OTHER WHITE VARIETALS
Winexpert Eclipse Mosel Valley Gewürztraminer (17)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru International German Müller-Thurgau (32)

WHITE BLENDS
Winexpert Limited Edition Synergy (46)
Winexpert Limited Edition Torrontés Muscat (54)
Winexpert Limited Edition California Yolo County Chardonnay Muscat Chenin Blanc (61)
Winexpert Limited Edition Symphony Gewürztraminer (83)

BLUSH/ROSÉ
Winexpert World Vineyard Pink Moscato (45)
RJS Craft Winemaking Restricted Quantities France Rosé (57)

LATE HARVEST & ICE WINE STYLE
Winexpert Après Riesling Ice Wine (1)
Winexpert Late Harvest Riesling (38)

DESSERT STYLE
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Crème Brûlée (3)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Limited Release Coffee Dessert Wine (9)
Winexpert Speciale Peppermint Mocha Dessert (11)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Black Forest Dessert (13)
Winexpert Après Peach Ice Wine (15)
Winexpert Après Chocolate Raspberry Dessert Wine (16)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Toasted Caramel (24)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty Vanilla Fig Dessert (26)
RJS Craft Winemaking Raspberry Mocha Dessert Wine (29)
Winexpert Après Toasted Marshmallow Dessert (52)
RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Specialty White Chocolate Dessert Wine (56)

GRAPE & NON-GRAPE BLENDS
RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Seville Orange Sangria (42)
Winexpert Island Mist Blood Orange Sangria (43)
Winexpert Island Mist Green Apple Riesling (80)
Winexpert Island Mist Raspberry Peach Sangria (84)

NON-GRAPE COUNTRY WINES
Vintner’s Best Mango (2)
RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Peach Perfection (4)
Winexpert Island Mist Blueberry (6)
RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Acai Raspberry (7)
Winexpert Island Mist Black Cherry (23)
Vintner’s Best Cherry (27)
Vintner’s Harvest Blackberry (55)
Winexpert Island Mist Coconut Yuzu (63)
Winexpert Island Mist Kiwi Pear (64)
Winexpert Island Mist White Cranberry (75)
Vintner’s Best Blood Orange (78)
RJS Craft Winemaking Orchard Breezin’ Strawberry Sensation (86)
VineCo Niagara Mist Mango Passion Fruit (92)
Vintner’s Best Dandelion (96)