Over 50 experienced judges evaluated a total of 2,725 wine kit entries as part of the 2013 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 2,725 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-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. Seven 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 2013 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 2013 competition from among the 2,725 kit entries.
This kit list represents the top 100 scoring kit entries with the highest average scores from 2013 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 2013
1. RJ Spagnols En Primeur Chilean Malbec
2. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Pacifica White
3. Wine Kitz Traditional Vintage Symphony
4. RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Toasted Caramel Port
5. Winexpert Selection International Italian Pinot Grigio
6. Winexpert Selection Speciale Chocolate Raspberry Port
7. Winexpert Selection International German Müller Thurgau
8. RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Premium Port
9. RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Coffee Port
10. Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection French Merlot
11. Winexpert Selection Estate Series Sonoma Dry Creek Chardonnay
12. Vineco Kenridge Showcase Specialty Chocolate Hazelnut Port
13. Winexpert Selection International Australian Traminer Riesling
14. Vineco Kenridge Founder’s Series Australian Shiraz
15. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition German Traminer Spätlese
16. RJ Spagnols Cru Select Okanagan Meritage
17. Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Yakima Valley Gewürztraminer Riesling
18. Wine Kitz Ultimate Estate Chianti
19. Winexpert Selection Speciale Chocolate Orange Port
20. Cellar Craft Showcase Amarone
21. Winexpert Eclipse German Mosel Valley Gewürztraminer
22. Mosti Mondiale AllJuice Castel del Papa
23. RJ Spagnols Cru Orchard Breezin’ Watermelon White Merlot
24. Winexpert Selection International Piesporter
25. Winexpert Island Mist Black Raspberry Merlot
26. Vineco Legacy Gewürztraminer
27. Winexpert Eclipse Napa Valley Stag’s Leap District Merlot
28. Winexpert Selection Speciale Blackberry Port
29. Winexpert Vintner’s Reserve Pinot Blanc
30. Vintner’s Cellar Supreme Sterile Juice Amarone
31. Winexpert Vintner’s Reserve Diablo Rojo
32. RJ Spagnols Cru Orchard Breezin’ Apple Pomegranate
33. Winexpert Selection White Zinfandel
34. Cellar Craft Showcase Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
35. RJ Spagnols En Primeur Italian Amarone
36. Winexpert Selection Speciale Okanagan Peach Ice Wine
37. RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty White Chocolate White Port
38. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition South African Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon
39. Cellar Craft Showcase Pinotage
40. Winexpert Eclipse Lodi Ranch 11 Cabernet Sauvignon
41. RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Riesling Ice Wine
42. Winexpert World Vineyard Australian Chardonnay
43. Cellar Craft Showcase Rosso Fortissimo
44. RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Apple Tatin White Port
45. Winexpert Island Mist Wildberry Shiraz
46. Cellar Craft Limited Release Trio Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Merlot
47. Winexpert Selection International Argentinian Malbec
48. Cellar Craft Specialty Porto Corinto
49. RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series French Grenache Syrah
50. Cellar Craft Specialty Limited Chocolate Hazelnut Port
51. RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Italian Amarone
52. Winexpert Selection Australian Shiraz
53. Vineco Legacy Primo Rosso
54. Cellar Craft Showcase Argentine Malbec
55. Cellar Craft Showcase Washington Merlot
56. Winexpert Selection International Chilean Malbec Shiraz
57. Winexpert Vintner’s Reserve Angel Blanco
58. Cellar Craft Showcase Grenache Quartet
59. Vineco Kenridge Founder’s Series France Languedoc Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre
60. Vintner’s Cellar Vintner’s Select Series Port
61. Cellar Craft Showcase Limited Release Carmenère Cabernet
62. Vintner’s Cellar Vintner’s Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz
63. Cellar Craft Showcase Limited Release Grenache
64. RJ Spagnols Cru Orchard Breezin’ Cranapple Chardonnay
65. Winexpert Island Mist Strawberry Lychee Traminer
66. RJ Spagnols Hightail Okanagan Chardonnay
67. Mosti Mondiale Meglioli Shiraz
68. RJ Spagnols Cru Select Sauvignon Blanc
69. Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Portuguese Douro Tinto
70. Winexpert Eclipse New Zealand Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
71. Advintage Bellissima Peach Sauvignon Blanc
72. RJ Spagnols Cru Orchard Breezin’ Kiwi Melon Pinot Grigio
73. Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection Italian Pinot Grigio
74. Cellar Craft Showcase Austrian Grüner Veltliner
75. RJ Spagnols Hightail California Cabernet Sauvignon
76. Cellar Craft Premium Sauvignon Blanc
77. RJ Spagnols En Primeur Chilean Carmenère
78. Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection Shiraz Viognier
79. Cellar Craft Showcase Limited Release Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon Chardonnay
80. Cellar Craft Showcase Viognier
81. Advintage FC Collection Vieux Chateau Du Roi
82. Vineco Vinterra Amarone
83. Cellar Craft Showcase Old Vines Zinfandel
84. Vineco Cheeky Monkey Pinot Gris
85. Vineco Kenridge Showcase Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Carmenère
86. RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Argentina Tango Pinot Grigio Chardonnay Torrontés
87. Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Yakima Valley Pinot Gris
88. RJ Spagnols Cru Select Valpolicella Ripassa
89. Cellar Craft Showcase Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
90. RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Orange Chocolate Port
91. RJ Spagnols Cru Orchard Breezin’ Blackberry Merlot
92. Winexpert Island Mist Kiwi Pear Sauvignon Blanc
93. RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Gewürztraminer
94. Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection Limited Italian Piedmont Nebbiolo
95. Winexpert Eclipse Washington Columbia Valley Riesling
96.Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Washington Meritage
97. Cellar Craft Showcase Rattlesnake Valley Shiraz
98. Vineco Legacy Vieux Chateau Du Roi
99. Vineco Kenridge Founder’s Series Chilean Carmenère
100. Winexpert Selection Estate Series
Crushendo Australian Shiraz
Top 100 Kits by Wine Style/Varietal (number in parentheses is the kit ranking)
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Cellar Craft Showcase Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (34)
Winexpert Eclipse Lodi Ranch 11 Cabernet Sauvignon (40)
RJ Spagnols Hightail California Cabernet Sauvignon (75)
CARMENÈRE
RJ Spagnols En Primeur Chilean Carmenère (77)
Vineco Kenridge Founder’s Series Chilean Carmenère (99)
GRENACHE
Cellar Craft Showcase Grenache Quartet (58)
Cellar Craft Showcase Limited Release Grenache (63)
MALBEC
RJ Spagnols En Primeur Chilean Malbec (1)
Winexpert Selection International Argentinian Malbec (47)
Cellar Craft Showcase Argentine Malbec (54)
MERLOT
Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection French Merlot (10)
Winexpert Eclipse Napa Valley Stag’s Leap District Merlot (27)
Cellar Craft Showcase Washington Merlot (55)
SANGIOVESE
Wine Kitz Ultimate Estate Chianti (18)
SYRAH/SHIRAZ
Vineco Kenridge Founder’s Series Australian Shiraz (14)
Winexpert Selection Australian Shiraz (52)
Mosti Mondiale Meglioli Shiraz (67)
Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection Shiraz Viognier (78)
Cellar Craft Showcase Rattlesnake Valley Shiraz (97)
Winexpert Selection Estate Series Crushendo Australian Shiraz (100)
ZINFANDEL
Cellar Craft Showcase Old Vines Zinfandel (83)
OTHER RED VINIFERA VARIETALS
Cellar Craft Showcase Pinotage (39)
Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection Limited Italian Piedmont Nebbiolo (94)
AMARONE-STYLE RED BLENDS
Cellar Craft Showcase Italian Amarone (20)
Vintner’s Cellar Supreme Sterile Juice Amarone (30)
RJ Spagnols En Primeur Italian Amarone (35)
RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Italian Amarone (51)
Vineco Vinterra Amarone (82)
OTHER RED VINIFERA BLENDS
RJ Spagnols Cru Select Okanagan Meritage (16)
Mosti Mondiale AllJuice Castel del Papa (22)
Winexpert Vintner’s Reserve Diablo Rojo (31)
Cellar Craft Showcase RossoFortissimo (43)
Cellar Craft Limited Release Trio Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Merlot (46)
RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series French Grenache Syrah (49)
Vineco Legacy Primo Rosso (53)
Winexpert Selection International Chilean Malbec Shiraz (56)
Vineco Kenridge Founder’s Series France Languedoc Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre (59)
Cellar Craft Showcase Limited Release Carmenère Cabernet (61)
Vintner’s Cellar Vintner’s Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz (62)
Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Portuguese Douro Tinto (69)
Advintage FC Collection Vieux Chateau Du Roi (81)
Vineco Kenridge Showcase Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Carmenère (85)
RJ Spagnols Cru Select Valpolicella Ripassa (88)
Cellar Craft Showcase Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot (89)
Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Washington Meritage (96)
Vineco Legacy Vieux Chateau Du Roi (98)
CHARDONNAY
Winexpert Selection Estate Series Sonoma Dry Creek Chardonnay (11)
Winexpert World Vineyard Australian Chardonnay (42)
RJ Spagnols Hightail Okanagan Chardonnay (66)
GEWÜRZTRAMINER
Winexpert Eclipse German Mosel Valley Gewürztraminer (21)
Vineco Legacy Gewürztraminer (26)
RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Gewürztraminer (93)
PINOT GRIGIO/GRIS
Winexpert Selection International Italian Pinot Grigio (5)
Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection Italian Pinot Grigio (73)
Vineco Cheeky Monkey Pinot Gris (84)
Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Yakima Valley Pinot Gris (87)
RIESLING
Winexpert Selection International Piesporter (24)
Winexpert Eclipse Washington Columbia Valley Riesling (95)
SAUVIGNON BLANC
RJ Spagnols Cru Select Sauvignon Blanc (68)
Winexpert Eclipse New Zealand Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (70)
Cellar Craft Premium Sauvignon Blanc (76)
OTHER WHITE VINIFERA VARIETALS
Wine Kitz Traditional Vintage Symphony (3)
Winexpert Selection International German Müller Thurgau (7)
Winexpert Vintner’s Reserve Pinot Blanc (29)
Cellar Craft Showcase Austrian Grüner Veltliner (74)
Cellar Craft Showcase Viognier (80)
WHITE VINIFERA BLENDS
Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Pacifica White (2)
Winexpert Selection International Australian Traminer Riesling (13)
Winexpert Selection Limited Edition German Traminer Spätlese (15)
Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Yakima Valley Gewürztraminer Riesling (17)
Winexpert Selection Limited Edition South African Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon (38)
Winexpert Vintner’s Reserve Angel Blanco (57)
Cellar Craft Showcase Limited Release Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon Chardonnay (79)
RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Argentina Tango Pinot Grigio Chardonnay Torrontés (86)
BLUSH/ROSÉ
Winexpert Selection White Zinfandel (33)
LATE HARVEST & ICE WINE STYLE
Winexpert Selection Speciale Okanagan Peach Ice Wine (36)
RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Riesling Ice Wine (41)
PORT STYLE
RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Toasted Caramel Port (4)
Winexpert Selection Speciale Chocolate Raspberry Port (6)
RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Premium Port (8)
RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Coffee Port (9)
Vineco Kenridge Showcase Specialty Chocolate Hazelnut Port (12)
Winexpert Selection Speciale Chocolate Orange Port (19)
Winexpert Selection Speciale BlackberryPort (28)
RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty White Chocolate White Port (37)
RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Apple Tatin White Port (44)
Cellar Craft Specialty Porto Corinto (48)
Cellar Craft Specialty Limited Chocolate Hazelnut Port (50)
Vintner’s Cellar Vintner’s Select Series Port (60)
RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty Orange Chocolate Port (90)
GRAPE & NON-GRAPE BLENDS
RJ Spagnols Cru Orchard Breezin’ Watermelon White Merlot (23)
Winexpert Island Mist Black Raspberry Merlot (25)
RJ Spagnols Cru Orchard Breezin’ Apple Pomegranate (32)
Winexpert Island Mist Wildberry Shiraz (45)
RJ Spagnols Cru Orchard Breezin’ Cranapple Chardonnay (64)
Winexpert Island Mist StrawberryLychee Traminer (65)
Advintage Bellissima Peach Sauvignon Blanc (71)
RJ Spagnols Cru Orchard Breezin’ Kiwi Melon Pinot Grigio (72)
RJ Spagnols Cru Orchard Breezin’ Blackberry Merlot (91)
Winexpert Island Mist Kiwi Pear Sauvignon Blanc (92)
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