This past April 2014, over 50 experienced judges evaluated a total of 1,460 wine kit entries as part of the 2014 WineMaker International Amateur Wine Competition. This large collection of kit entries was sent into the competition from across North America. The 1,460 wine kit entries were entered in 37 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.
We’ve found many WineMaker readers looking to purchase a wine kit 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. Eight 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 2014 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 2014 competition from among the 1,460 kit entries.
This kit list represents the top 100 scoring kit entries with the highest average scores from 2014 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 Wine Kits for 2014
1 Winexpert Selection Speciale Cabernet Franc Ice Wine
2 RJ Spagnols Cru Select Specialty Black Forest Port
3 Winexpert Selection Speciale Chocolate Raspberry Port
4 RJ Spagnols En Primeur Italian Amarone
5 Paklab Cornucopia Fruit Peach Chardonnay
6 RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Australian Grenache Syrah
7 Winexpert World Vineyard California Moscato
8 RJ Spagnols Top Hat Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
9 RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Valpolicella
10 Winexpert Island Mist Apricot Peach Chardonnay
11 RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Italian Amarone
12 RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Australian Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon
13 RJ Spagnols Cru Select Specialty Coffee Port
14 Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
15 Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Portuguese Douro Tinto
16 RJ Spagnols Hightail Okanagan Ehrenfelser
17 RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series California Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Zinfandel
18 Cellar Craft Showcase Yakima Pinot Gris
19 Winexpert Selection Limited Edition German Traminer Spatlese
20 RJ Spagnols Cru Select German Gewürztraminer
21 Winexpert Selection International German Müller- Thurgau
22 Winexpert Selection Original Valpolicella
23 RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Trek Chilean Malbec Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
24 Winexpert Speciale Chocolate Orange Port
25 RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series California Syrah
26 Winexpert Island Mist Green Apple Riesling
27 Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Viognier
28 Cellar Craft Showcase Chateau Du Pays
29 Winexpert Selection International Australian Chardonnay
30 Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Washington Meritage
31 RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Italian Super Tuscan
32 RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Rosso Grande Eccellente
33 Winexpert Selection Speciale Riesling Ice Wine
34 Mosti Mondiale Black Cherry Chocolate Port
35 Winexpert Selection International Spanish Tempranillo
36 RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin Pear-Licious
37 RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz
38 RJ Spagnols Cru Select Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Carmenere
39 RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin Tangerine Lemon Sauvignon Blanc
40 Wine Kitz Traditional Vintage Valpolicella
41 Cellar Craft Showcase Limited Release Carmenere Cabernet Sauvignon
42 Cellar Craft Premium Piesporter
43 Winexpert Island Mist Pomegranate Zinfandel
44 RJ Spagnols En Primeur Australian Shiraz
45 Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection Limited Edition Grand Red
46 Winexpert Eclipse Italian Barolo
47 RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin Banana Pineapple Viognier
48 Cellar Craft Showcase Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
49 Cellar Craft Showcase Merlot
50 Winexpert Selection Original Piesporter
51 Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Argentine Malbec Bonarda
52 Winexpert Eclipse Australian Shiraz
53 Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Italian Nebbiolo
54 RJ Spagnols En Primeur New Zealand Pinot Noir
55 RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series California Cabernet Sauvignon
56 Winexpert Vintner’s Reserve Pinot Gris
57 RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon
58 RJ Spagnols Cru Select Hightail Pinot Noir
59 RJ Spagnols Cru Select Specialty Orange Chocolate Port
60 Winexpert Island Mist Cranberry Pinot Gris
61 RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Grenache Syrah
62 RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin Peach Chardonnay
63 RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty White Chocolate Port
64 Winexpert Eclipse Lodi Ranch II Cabernet Sauvignon
65 RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Italian Sangiovese Merlot
66 RJ Spagnols En Primeur Malbec
67 RJ Spagnols Cru Select Specialty Toasted Toasted Caramel Port
68 RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin Loquat Ginger Pinot Gris
69 RJ Spagnols Top Hat Australian Shiraz
70 RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Tempranillo Malbec
71 Winexpert Selection Estate Series Napa Valley Stag’s Leap Merlot
72 Winexpert Selection Estate Series Merlot
73 Cellar Craft Specialty Porto Corinto Black Currant
74 Winexpert Selection International Australian Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre
75 Winexpert Selection International Spanish Rioja
76 Cellar Craft Showcase Yakima Valley Washington Syrah
77 Cellar Craft Specialty Sherry
78 RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
79 RJ Spagnols Cru Select Italian Valpola Ripassa
80 RJ Spagnols Cru Select Special Reserve Chilean Malbec Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
81 RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin Raspberry
82 RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Washington Merlot
83 RJ Spagnols Cru Select California Old ine Zinfandel
84 Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection Spanish Cabernet Sauvignon
85 Winexpert Vintner’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
86 Cellar Craft Showcase Pinotage
87 Cellar Craft Showcase Amarone
88 RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin Cranapple Chardonnay
89 Winexpert Vintner’s Reserve Bergamais
90 Mosti Mondiale Pinot Noir
91 Winexpert Selection Speciale Blackberry Port
92 Winexpert Selection International Italian Amarone
93 Vineco Legacy Merlot
94 RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Hang Ten Syrah Zinfandel Barbera
95 WineKitz Limited Release Cabernet Franc Ice Wine
96 Mosti Mondiale Cabernet Sauvignon
97 Winexpert Selection International Viognier
98 Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection French Melange a Trois
99 RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Malbec
100 Winexpert Vintner’s Reserve Angel Blanco
Top 100 Kits by Wine Style/Varietal
(number in parentheses is the overall top 100 kit ranking)
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
RJ Spagnols Top Hat Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon (8)
Cellar Craft Showcase Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (48)
RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series California Cabernet Sauvignon (55)
Winexpert Eclipse Lodi Ranch II Cabernet Sauvignon (64)
RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon (78)
Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection Spanish Cabernet Sauvignon (84)
Winexpert Vintner’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (85)
Mosti Mondiale Cabernet Sauvignon (96)
MALBEC
RJ Spagnols En Primeur Malbec (66)
RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Malbec (99)
MERLOT
Cellar Craft Showcase Merlot (49)
Winexpert Selection Estate Series Napa Valley Stag’s Leap Merlot (71)
Winexpert Selection Estate Series Merlot (72)
RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Washington Merlot (82)
Vineco Legacy Merlot (93)
NEBBIOLO
Winexpert Eclipse Italian Barolo (46)
Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Italian Nebbiolo (53)
PINOT NOIR
RJ Spagnols En Primeur New Zealand Pinot Noir (54)
RJ Spagnols Cru Select Hightail Pinot Noir (58)
Mosti Mondiale Pinot Noir (90)
SYRAH/SHIRAZ
RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series California Syrah (25)
RJ Spagnols En Primeur Australian Shiraz (44)
Winexpert Eclipse Australian Shiraz (52)
RJ Spagnols Top Hat Australian Shiraz (69)
Cellar Craft Showcase Yakima Valley Washington Syrah (76)
ZINFANDEL
RJ Spagnols Cru Select California Old Vine Zinfandel (83)
OTHER RED VINIFERA VARIETALS
Winexpert Selection International Spanish Tempranillo (35)
Cellar Craft Showcase Pinotage (86)
Winexpert Vintner’s Reserve Bergamais (89)
AMARONE-STYLE RED BLENDS
RJ Spagnols En Primeur Italian Amarone (4)
RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Italian Amarone (11)
Cellar Craft Showcase Amarone (87)
Winexpert Selection International Italian Amarone (92)
OTHER RED VINIFERA BLENDS
RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Australian Grenache Syrah (6)
RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Valpolicella (9)
RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Australian
Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon (12)
Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Portuguese Douro Tinto (15)
RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series California Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Zinfandel (17)
Winexpert Selection Original Valpolicella (22)
RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Trek Chilean Malbec Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot (23)
Cellar Craft Showcase Chateau Du Pays (28)
Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Washington Meritage (30)
RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Italian Super Tuscan (31)
RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Rosso Grande Eccellente (32)
RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz (37)
RJ Spagnols Cru Select Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Carmenere (38)
Wine Kitz Traditional Vintage Valpolicella (40)
Cellar Craft Showcase Limited Release Carmenere Cabernet Sauvignon (41)
Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection Limited Edition Grand Red (45)
Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Argentine Malbec Bonarda (51)
RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon (57)
RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Grenache Syrah (61)
RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Italian Sangiovese Merlot (65)
RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Tempranillo Malbec (70)
Winexpert Selection International Australian Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre (74)
Winexpert Selection International Spanish Rioja (75)
RJ Spagnols Cru Select Italian Valpola Ripassa (79)
RJ Spagnols Cru Select Special Reserve Chilean Malbec Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot (80)
RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ Hang Ten Syrah Zinfandel Barbera (94)
Vineco Kenridge Showcase Collection French Melange a Trois (98)
CHARDONNAY
Winexpert Selection International Australian Chardonnay (29)
GEWÜRZTRAMINER
RJ Spagnols Cru Select German Gewürztraminer (20)
PINOT GRIGIO/GRIS
Cellar Craft Showcase Yakima Pinot Gris (18)
Winexpert Vintner’s Reserve Pinot Gris (56)
RIESLING
Cellar Craft Premium Piesporter (42)
Winexpert Selection Original Piesporter (50)
VIOGNIER
Cellar Craft Showcase Collection Viognier (27)
Winexpert Selection International Viognier (97)
OTHER WHITE VINIFERA VARIETALS
Winexpert World Vineyard California Moscato (7)
RJ Spagnols Hightail Okanagan Ehrenfelser (16)
Winexpert Selection Limited Edition German Traminer Spatlese (19)
Winexpert Selection International German Müller-Thurgau (21)
WHITE VINIFERA BLENDS
Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Sauvignon Blanc Semillon (14)
Winexpert Vintner’s Reserve Angel Blanco (100)
SHERRY STYLE
Cellar Craft Specialty Sherry (77)
LATE HARVEST & ICE WINE STYLE
Winexpert Selection Speciale Cabernet Franc Ice Wine (1)
Winexpert Selection Speciale Riesling Ice Wine (33)
Wine Kitz Limited Release Cabernet Franc Ice Wine (95)
PORT STYLE
RJ Spagnols Cru Select Specialty Black Forest Port (2)
Winexpert Selection Speciale Chocolate Raspberry Port (3)
RJ Spagnols Cru Select Specialty Coffee Port (13)
Winexpert Speciale Chocolate Orange Port (24)
Mosti Mondiale Black Cherry Chocolate Port (34)
RJ Spagnols Cru Select Specialty Orange Chocolate Port (59)
RJ Spagnols Cru Specialty White Chocolate Port (63)
RJ Spagnols Cru Select Specialty Toasted Toasted Caramel Port (67)
Cellar Craft Specialty Porto Corinto Black Currant (73)
Winexpert Selection Speciale Blackberry Port (91)
GRAPE & NON-GRAPE BLENDS
Paklab Cornucopia Fruit Peach Chardonnay (5)
Winexpert Island Mist Apricot Peach Chardonnay (10)
Winexpert Island Mist Green Apple Riesling (26)
RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin Pear- Licious (36)
RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin Tangerine Lemon Sauvignon Blanc (39)
Winexpert Island Mist Pomegranate Zinfandel (43)
RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin Banana Pineapple Viognier(47)
Winexpert Island Mist Cranberry Pinot Gris (60)
RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin Peach Chardonnay (62)
RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin Loquat Ginger Pinot Gris (68)
RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin Raspberry (81)
RJ Spagnols Orchard Breezin Cranapple Chardonnay (88)
Making kit wines doesn't have to be only about following directions. Improve your wines by using tannin additions at various stages.
There is lots of information out there about how to run various juice and wine analytical procedures at home if you want to do that. If you do not want to run the tests but you are interested in the answers, you may live in an area that has a commercial or university laboratory that does testing on wine. Here is some advice on when, why, or even whether you might want…
