Winexpert One-Gallon Wine Kits

 By Kati Spayde

As anyone who frequents the store probably knows, I'm more of a beer girl than a wine fan. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy a good white or red once in a while, but for me the six-gallon wine ingredient kits are just a bit too much.

Thankfully, Winexpert has come to the rescue with their new line of one-gallon kits. Five bottles (or ten half-sized bottles) is much more approachable for someone like me.

I picked up the Pinot Grigio kit this weekend to give it a test run. It really is as simple as mixing your ingredients and adding yeast. In two weeks I'll stabilize and clear the wine and then after two more weeks I'll be ready to bottle.

The small size of this makes it very countertop-friendly and minimizes my investment. When it comes time, part two of this review will be taste-testing the bottled wine.

One-gallon Winexpert kits are available now at Siciliano's Market. Stop in for pricing and to see the full selection of varietals.

Winexpert Limited Edition Kits Now Available for Pre-Order

By Steve Siciliano 

Each year Winexpert releases five unique, super-premium wine kits that are not part of the company's regular portfolio. These kits are available only on a pre-order basis and are released during the first four months of the year.

We are now taking orders for the 2013 Limited Edition offerings. The following are the individual varieties along with the respective pricing and release dates. Complete descriptions are available at http://www.winexpert.com/le2013.

• South African Shiraz Cabernet with grape skins, $178.95 – Available January
• South African Chenin Blanc Roussanne, $147.95 – Available January 
• Pacific Quartet, $147.95 – Available February
• Oregon Pinot Noir, $153.95 – Available March
• Red Mountain, Washington Cabernet Merlot, $153.95 – Available April 

Please note that we must receive pre-orders by Sunday, December 8, 2013 either by phone (616-453-9674), email (steve@sicilianosmkt.com) or, of course, in person at the store.