Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I make wine that is as good as store bought brands?
Yes. It may help to allow the wine to age after taking it home. You can also change your recipe to suit your taste.
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Is it expensive?
Not at all. The prices for our most popular wine kits range from $120 to $210 for approximately 30 bottles.
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I’ve never done any winemaking, what do I need to know and how much work is required of me?
Making wine at our store starts with choosing the type of wine you want to make and what quality of wine kit you want. The AGCO requires that the customer is present to begin fermentation by sprinkling the yeast on the juice. We assist you at all times to whatever extent required. After the batch is started the customer has no further obligations until the wine is ready to be bottled. When you arrive for your bottling appointment (you must book an appointment) you need to sanitize your bottles with the sanitizer we provide, fill the bottles with our automatic filler & cork them (once again all automatic) and finish by applying labels and shrink caps. We provide all the necessary equipment and assistance for you to accomplish this with ease.
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How long will it take?
We offer you the choice of 4-week, 5-week, 7-week and 8-week wine kits. Our 4-5-week wines are made from the finest blend of grape juice and concentrate. They are usually ready to drink in a few weeks after bottling. Our 7-week wines are made from premium quality grape juice blends. They are fuller bodied and can require a longer aging time (at least 2 to 3 months). Our 8-week wine kits, with 100% varietal grape juice from country-specific vineyards, Selection Estate Series has re-defined the quality expectations of the advanced winemaker and the wine kit industry alike. These kits may benefit from much longer aging.
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What kinds of wines are available?
Please see our Products page.
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What is the alcohol content?
The alcohol level in our wines range from 11% to 14.5%.
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Are the wine kits dry or sweet?
Our wine menu has sweetness indicators next to the wine names. Most of our wines have a dry finish, but we can adjust any wine to the levels to your taste. Just ask.
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Can I clean my bottles when I come in to bottle?
No, your bottles should already be clean as we provide time and equipment for sanitizing already clean bottles. Thoroughly rinsing a wine bottle very soon after it is empty, soaking it for a few minutes to remove the label and draining it eliminates the need to spend much more time cleaning bottles that are left to the last minute. HINT! Store the clean bottles upside down to avoid contamination by foreign objects, dust, insects etc.
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Can I keep my wine in the store where I made it for longer?
If you need longer to come in and bottle your wine we understand. Please let us know, if you can, if wine will stay here after 30 days of being ready to bottle. Once your wine is bottled we will help you out to the car with it if you need help as it can not stay in our store after it is bottled.
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What are Tannins?
Tannin comes from the skins, seeds, and stems of the grapes, and also from wood. It gives wine its longevity and character. Tannin is also found in strong tea.
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What about wine with food?
The fuller flavoured the food, the more full-bodied the wine should be. A simply prepared chicken can match well with a light bodied white wine. If you add a rich cream sauce, then a medium to full-bodied white may be preferred. Ask us for recommendations.
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What about wine with cheese?
Similar to how milk softens tea, cheese serves to round the tannic tastes of wine. Brie with sparkling wine is a good combination. Blue cheese overpowers most wines except dessert wines
