Wine Kitz Atlantic

Hello,
Each month as part of this blog I will attempt to provide consumer-made wine industry information of interest to winemakers. Some of this information will directly relate to the Atlantic region, and other information will be more general in nature. Where possible I will include links to other wine-related websites which you may find interesting.
For [...]

Wine Vintage Defined
Some people are confused by the term “vintage.”  A wine’s vintage is the year when the grapes were picked. Whether that vintage is considered good or poor is determined by the weather affecting the region. A vineyard requires the proper balance of sun, humidity, precipitation, and wind. Sun is needed for proper development [...]

Guidelines for New Home Winemakers

Production Guidelines
January is the month with the most “new” winemakers. This is generally due to Christmas gift giving. This is also when we, at the brew stores, receive the most phone calls, questions and in-store enquires. Don’t be shy, ask away: there are no dumb questions.
Management and staff who work [...]

As of Oct 17th, 2009, Prince Edward Island has legally and formally approved in-store winery services to Island wine consumers. To review the provincial government’s press release, visit: www.peilcc.ca
PEI is the fourth province to offer this type of license, joining Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. It is expected that New Brunswick will be implementing a [...]

What are Limited Release Kits?
Several times a year, kit manufacturers will produce Limited Release kits. Traditionally, these kits were available in-store to consumers in late fall or early winter months. Now with accessibility to raw material from the southern hemisphere, a.k.a. New World vineyards and wineries, where the harvest season runs at opposite times from [...]

Due to the nature of summertime and all the outdoor activities and travel opportunities it brings with it, I have not updated this blog for several months.
Now, as most of us return to our every day routines of regular work, school, etc., it’s time to make everyone aware of what matters and is important to [...]

Many who have followed this blog over the past year or two may be aware that Tuesday, June 16th was the date set for the judge to render her decision on charges laid against Ross Harrington.
In quick review, Ross Harrington is owner/operator of Wine Kitz, a home winemaking store located in Halifax NS. In 2007, [...]

FRUIT WINES (MADE FROM KITS)
Back in the 1990’s, fruit-flavoured wines were introduced to the consumer-made wine industry. Since that time, these products have taken a life of their own. The availability and quality of fruit wines have converted many store-bought wine cooler drinkers to successful winemakers. In some markets fruit wines have become the most [...]

THE GOOD
On Wednesday, March 25th, New Brunswick stakeholders in the consumer-made wine industry were invited by the Health & Safety department of the provincial government to attend a fact-finding meeting in Fredericton.
The New Brunswick government is in the process of reviewing and overhauling their Liquor Act. This presents an opportunity for the inclusion of the [...]

Wine & Beermaking……A Recession-Proof Industry
An Irish wake, a kitchen ceilidh, a Saturday night shin-dig…‘What are three good reasons to have a drink, Alex?’
Many industries have their own uniqueness or quirks. One of the home wine industry’s quirks is that the industry itself is recession proof in nature.
No matter how tough and difficult life becomes, no [...]