APRIL 2008
Product Quality
In last month’s blog I mentioned that one of the main reasons winemaking has increased in popularity is due to advancement in the quality and increased product selection.
Most major Canadian kit manufacturers have access to commercial grade raw materials, and they source grapes and juices from top vineyards and wineries from around the world including Australia, Chile, Italy & California. Many of these same Canadian kit manufacturers have production facilities boasting state-of-art equipment to test and retest all products prior to distribution to the retail sector. Going back ten years or more this was not the case.
The introduction of many new products and services has also played a large part in the recent growth of the consumer-made wine industry. The introduction of in-store winery services in New Brunswick, where winemakers can make their choice of wines on location, has brought consumer winemaking to a new level.
Products such as “Country Mist” fruit wines and their ever-increasing flavour selection continue to grow in popularity. Another product which has proven very popular is the recently introduced 7-Day Accelerator Pack . This product allows for a much reduced processing time on products like the above mentioned Country Mist kits, which require very little aging time prior to consumption.
Combine this with the availability of products such the Woodland Estate Kit (makes 6 bottles of wine in 10 days), pail bag liners, improved cleaners and sanitizers and there’s little wonder why winemaking has become so popular.
The end result is a consumer-made wine industry which allows for taste profiles equivalent to comparable commercial wines for a fraction of the shelf price.
In summary, I recommend that winemakers shop at and support their local winemaking store. This is where they will find the highest quality products available in the industry, the best selection, the best winemaking advice and expertise and the best service level.
The above-mentioned products and services equate to winemakers receiving the best possible value for their hard-earned dollars.
Cheers!
Blair
Recently:
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009