Top 100 Wine Kits 2012
Over 50 experienced judges evaluated a total of 2,552 wine kit entries as part of the 2012 WineMaker International Amateur Wine Competition. This large collection of kit entries was sent into the competition from across North America originating from 8 Canadian provinces and all 50 American states. The 2,552 wine kit entries were entered in 39 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 at 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.
Since starting our competition in 2002, 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. Six 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 2012 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 2012 competition from among the 2,552 kit entries.
This kit list represents the top 100 scoring kit entries with the highest average scores from 2012 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!
Top 100 Wine Kits for 2012
1. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Pacifica White 2. RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Coffee Port 3. Winexpert Selection Estate Series German Mosel Valley Gewürztraminer 4. RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Gewürztraminer 5. RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic White Chocolate White Port 6. RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin’ Tangerine Lemon Sauvignon Blanc 7. Vineco Kenridge Founder’s Series German Riesling 8. Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Yakima Valley Pinot Gris 9. RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Chilean Carmenere 10. Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 11. Vineco Niagara Mist Blackberry Malbec 12. RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Cabernet Franc Ice Wine Style 13. Vineco Kenridge Showcase German Müller-Thurgau 14. RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Argentina Torrontés 15. Winexpert Selection Original Piesporter Style 16. Winexpert Vintners Reserve Mezza Luna Red 17. RJ Spagnols En Primeur Dashwood New Zealand Pinot Noir 18. Winexpert Selection Speciale Okanagan Peach Ice Wine Style 19. Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Limited Release Grenache Quartet 20. Vineco Kenridge Classic Port 21. Cellar Craft Specialty Porto Corinto 22. RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Trio do Vinho Tinto Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon Trincadeira 23. Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Amarone 24. RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Vidal Ice Wine 25. Vineco Kenridge Founder’s Series Italian Veneto Amarone 26. RJ Spagnols Hightail Okanagan Riesling 27. Vineco Kenridge Founder’s Series Tuscany Brunello 28. Winexpert Island Mist Pomegranate Zinfandel 29. Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Italian Barbera 30. Vineco Niagara Mist Blueberry Pomegranate White Merlot 31. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Portuguese Douro Tinto 32. Vineco Kenridge Classic White Ice Vine 33. RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin’ Gold Kiwi Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc 34. Vineco Cheeky Monkey Austria Grüner Veltliner 35. RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin’ Raspberry White Zinfandel 36. Winexpert Selection Estate Series Washington Columbia Valley Riesling 37. RJ Spagnols En Primeur Amarone della Valpolicella 38. Wine Kitz Country Mist Peach Chardonnay 39. Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Austrian Grüner Veltliner 40. Cellar Craft Specialty Orange Muscat Port 41. Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection Argentine Malbec 42. RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Apple Tatin White Port 43. Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Chateau Du Pays 44. RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Chilean Malbec 45. Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Western Australian Syrah 46. RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Orange Blossom Muscat 47. Winexpert Island Mist Exotic Fruits White Zinfandel 48. RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Hang Ten California Syrah Zinfandel Barbera 49. RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Italian Amarone 50. RJ Spagnols En Primeur Italian Negroamaro Primitivo 51. RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin’ Pear-licious 52. Winexpert Selection Speciale Blackberry Port 53. RJ Spagnols Cru Select Italian Valpolicella Ripassa 54. Cellar Craft Specialty Classic Port Style 55. RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Italian Rosso Bravissimo 56. Winexpert Selection Original White Merlot 57. RJ Spagnols En Primeur Australian Chardonnay 58. Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Limited Release Two Hemisphere Riesling 59. Cellar Craft Sterling California Malbec Shiraz 60. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Australian Petit Verdot 61. Winexpert Selection Estate Series Napa Valley Stag’s Leap Merlot 62. RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Riesling Ice Wine Style 63. Winexpert Island Mist Peach Apricot Chardonnay 64. RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Italian Rosso Grande Excellente 65. Vineco Cheeky Monkey Italian Valpolicella 66. RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin’ Seville Orange Sangria 67. Winexpert Selection International Australian Chardonnay 68. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Austrian Grüner Veltliner 69. RJ Spagnols En Primeur New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 70. Paklab Vin Italian Chardonnay 71. Winexpert Selection Speciale Chocolate Raspberry Port 72. Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Super Tuscan Rosso Fortissimo 73. RJ Spagnols Glad Hatter California Zinfandel 74. Winexpert Island Mist Green Apple Riesling 75. Winexpert Vintners Reserve Pinot Noir 76.Wine Kitz Ultimate Estate Reserve Malbec 77. RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Cream Style Sherry 78. Winexpert Selection Speciale Port 79. RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Spanish Toro Tempranillo Grenache 80. RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin’ Luscious Lychee Green Tea 81. Vineco Legacy Montepulciano 82. RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Spanish Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon 83. RJ Spagnols Cru Select Argentinean Malbec Syrah 84. RJ Spagnols Hightail Okanagan Zinfandel 85. Winexpert Selection Speciale New Millenium Sparkling Wine 86. RJ Spagnols En Primeur Australian Sauvignon Blanc 87. Winexpert Vintners Reserve Zinfandel Cabernet 88. RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Barbaresco 89. RJ Spagnols En Primeur Talagante Chilean Merlot 90. Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection Chocolate Hazelnut Port 91. Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Tempranillo Carnarita Carinena 92. RJ Spagnols Cru Select Chilean Cabernet Malbec Carmenere 93. Winexpert Selection International Australian Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 94. RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin’ Cranapple Chardonnay 95. Vineco Kenridge Founder’s Series France Languedoc Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre 96. RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Hang Ten Muscat Symphony Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay 97. Winexpert Selection Estate Series Sonoma Dry Creek Valley Chardonnay 98. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Australian Shiraz Viognier 99. Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection Australian Chardonnay Riesling Gewürztraminer 100. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition 3 Continents MeritageTop 100 Kits by Wine Style/Varietal (number in parentheses is the kit ranking)
PINOT NOIR
RJ Spagnols En Primeur Dashwood New Zealand Pinot Noir (17) Winexpert Vintners Reserve Pinot Noir (75)ZINFANDEL
Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel (10) RJ Spagnols Glad Hatter California Zinfandel (73) RJ Spagnols Hightail Okanagan Zinfandel (84)SYRAH/SHIRAZ
Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Western Australian Syrah (45) Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Australian Shiraz Viognier (98)MERLOT
Winexpert Selection Estate Series Napa Valley Stag’s Leap Merlot (61) RJ Spagnols En Primeur Talagante Chilean Merlot (89)MALBEC
Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection Argentine Malbec (41) RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Chilean Malbec (44) Wine Kitz Ultimate Estate Reserve Malbec (76)OTHER RED VINIFERA VARIETALS
RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Chilean Carmenere (9) Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Limited Release Grenache Quartet (19) Vineco Kenridge Founder’s Series Tuscany Brunello (27) Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Italian Barbera (29) Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Australian Petit Verdot (60) Vineco Legacy Montepulciano (81) RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Barbaresco (88)AMARONE-STYLE RED BLENDS
Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Amarone (23) Vineco Kenridge Founder’s Series Italian Veneto Amarone (25) RJ Spagnols En Primeur Amarone della Valpolicella (37) RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Italian Amarone (49)OTHER RED VINIFERA BLENDS
Winexpert Vintners Reserve Mezza Luna Red (16) RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Trio du Vinho Tinto Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon Trincadeira (22) Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Portuguese Douro Tinto (31) Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Chateau Du Pays (43) RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Hang Ten California Syrah Zinfandel Barbera (48) RJ Spagnols En Primeur Italian Negroamaro Primitivo (50) RJ Spagnols Cru Select Italian Valpolicella Ripassa (53) RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Italian Rosso Bravissimo (55) Cellar Craft Sterling California Malbec Shiraz (59) RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Italian Rosso Grande Excellente (64) Vineco Cheeky Monkey Italian Valpolicella (65) Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Super Tuscan Rosso Fortissimo (72) RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Spanish Toro Tempranillo Grenache (79) RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Spanish Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon (82) RJ Spagnols Cru Select Argentinean Malbec Syrah (83) Winexpert Vintners Reserve Zinfandel Cabernet (87) Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Tempranillo Carnarita Carinena (91) RJ Spagnols Cru Select Chilean Cabernet Malbec Carmenere (92) Winexpert Selection International Australian Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre (93) Vineco Kenridge Founder’s Series France Languedoc Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre (95) Winexpert Selection Limited Edition 3 Continents Meritage (100)CHARDONNAY
RJ Spagnols En Primeur Australian Chardonnay (57) Winexpert Selection International Australian Chardonnay (67) Paklab Vin Italian Chardonnay (70) Winexpert Selection Estate Series Sonoma Dry Creek Valley Chardonnay (97)GEWÜRZTRAMINER
Winexpert Selection Estate Series German Mosel Valley Gewürztraminer (3) RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Gewürztraminer (4)GRÜNER VELTLINER
Vineco Cheeky Monkey Austria Grüner Veltliner (34) Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Austrian Grüner Veltliner (39) Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Austrian Grüner Veltliner (68)RIESLING
Vineco Kenridge Founder’s Series German Riesling (7) Winexpert Selection Original Piesporter Style (15) RJ Spagnols Hightail Okanagan Riesling (26) Winexpert Selection Estate Series Washington Columbia Valley Riesling (36) Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Limited Release Two Hemisphere Riesling (58)SAUVIGNON BLANC
RJ Spagnols En Primeur New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (69) RJ Spagnols En Primeur Australian Sauvignon Blanc (86)OTHER WHITE VINIFERA VARIETALS
Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Yakima Valley Pinot Gris (8) Vineco Kenridge Showcase German Müller-Thurgau (13) RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Argentina Torrontés (14)BLUSH/ROSÉ´
Winexpert Selection Original White Merlot (56)WHITE VINIFERA BLENDS
Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Pacifica White (1) Winexpert Selection Speciale New Millenium Sparking Wine (85) RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Hang Ten Muscat Symphony Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay (96) Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection Australian Chardonnay Riesling Gewürztraminer (99)LATE HARVEST & ICE WINE STYLE
RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Cabernet Franc Ice Wine Style (12) Winexpert Selection Speciale Okanagan Peach Ice Wine Style (18) RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Vidal Ice Wine (24) Vineco Kenridge Classic White Ice Vine (32) RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Orange Blossom Muscat (46) RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Riesling Ice Wine Style (62)PORT STYLE & SHERRY STYLE
RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Coffee Port (2) RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic White Chocolate White Port (5) Vineco Kenridge Classic Port (20) Cellar Craft Specialty Porto Corinto (21) Cellar Craft Specialty Orange Muscat Port (40) RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Apple Tatin White Port (42) Winexpert Selection Speciale Blackberry Port (52) Cellar Craft Specialty Classic Port Style (54) Winexpert Selection Speciale Chocolate Raspberry Port (71) RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Cream Style Sherry (77) Winexpert Selection Speciale Port (78) Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection Chocolate Hazelnut Port (90)GRAPE & NON-GRAPE BLENDS
RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin’ Tangerine Lemon Sauvignon Blanc (6) Vineco Niagara Mist Blackberry Malbec (11) Winexpert Island Mist Pomegranate Zinfandel (28) Vineco Niagara Mist Blueberry Pomegranate White Merlot (30) RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin’ Gold Kiwi Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc (33) RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin’ Raspberry White Zinfandel (35) Wine Kitz Country Mist Peach Chardonnay (38) Winexpert Island Mist Exotic Fruits White Zinfandel (47) RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin’ Pear-licious (51) Winexpert Island Mist Peach Apricot Chardonnay (63) RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin’ Seville Orange Sangria (66) Winexpert Island Mist Green Apple Riesling (74) RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin’ Luscious Lychee Green Tea (80) RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin’ Cranapple Chardonnay (94) winemakermag.com December 2012 – January 2013
