When it comes to making great tasting wine at home, nothing beats having the right tools and ingredients on hand. There is a wide range of wine kits available, but if you are looking for a truly authentic experience, nothing beats using a kit that includes grape skins. In this article, we’ll explore the best wine kits with grape skins, so you can make delicious, homemade wine that will impress your friends and family.
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Why Choose Wine Kits with Grape Skins
Many wine kits that you find online will come with fruit juice concentrate but don’t include grape skins. Wine kits with grape skins are far superior to kits that don’t include grape skins. If you take a red wine grape and bust it open you will see that the flesh of the grape is a yellowish color and not red at all.
That means that all of the colors you find in your wine comes from the skins. Some of the red wine kits will soak the juice with skins in to dissipate as much of the color and flavor as they can, however, there is no better way to do this than to have the skins in your must during your primary fermentation.
The inside of the grape is actually kind of bland. Some varieties will be sweeter than others such as Concord but for the most part, the flavors come from the grape skins. The skin is also where all of the tannins and aromas come from. Some flavor does come from seeds but the majority is stored in the grape skins themselves.
If you were to immediately crush a red wine grape, remove the skins, then ferment the mix you would end up with a pale yellow wine. If you don’t soak the skins then you miss out on all of that color, flavor, aroma, and tannin.
Wine kit makers take measures to try to ensure that as much of the flavor as possible is extracted from the red grapes prior to making the concentrate. However, it’s just not possible to ensure you are getting the maximum benefit without actually soaking the wine with the skins in. That’s because the alcohol during the fermentation process actually acts to break down the skins and release all of those fine components that we want in our wine
This is where winemaking kits with grape skins come into play. The wine kit makers take the grape skins and dry them. They lose minimal amounts of flavoring and coloring during this process. You can rehydrate the skins when you add them to your must. By doing this you get the best flavoring, tannins, and coloring that you can find in a wine kit.
Some kits even come with crushed red grapes that are still in a liquid form. This is as close to freshly crushed grapes as you will get with a kit. Both types of kits are designed for maximum favorability and will release their components within the 5 or 6 days it takes to complete primary fermentation.
Most wines take about 100 pounds of grapes to create just 5 gallons of finished wine. If you want the best quality out of your wine kit, then you want as many skins as possible. You want the alcohol to release the tannins, color, flavors, and even the antioxidants of the grape skins. Most crushed skins come in at about 10–15 percent of the total volume of the wine kit. This is an ideal amount to give you high-quality wine.
No matter which kit you choose, the results from a wine kit with skins will far outweigh those of a normal kit that doesn’t contain skins. Your wine will have a bigger, bolder flavor that will age to perfection. Smooth tannins, robust color, and rich aromas are what you will experience. We’ve put together a list of some of the best wine kits with grape skins below.
What are the Best Wine Kits with Grape Skins?
1. Eclipse Italian Piedmont Nebbiolo
The supreme wine kit that comes with grape skins. Try this ultra-premium Italian Piedmont Nebbiolo wine kit today. It’s made from the absolute finest varietal juice from around the world. These kits satisfied the taste of even the most seasoned wine enthusiasts. This kit produces a wine with a beautiful dark cherry color and intense notes of strawberries and floral aromas. This kit produces a full-bodied dry wine with bold oak flavor. These kits include all the ingredients that you need to make wine including the juice, grape skins, yeast, oak, and all of the wine additives.
- Sweetness: 0 out of 10
- Body: 5 out of 5
- Oak: 2 out of 3
- Ready in 8 weeks
- Product of Can
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2. Winexpert Eclipse Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel (Wine Kits with Grape Skins)
The Winexpert eclipse winemaking kits are one of the top winemaking kits with grape skins on the market. This super-premium Old Fine Zinfandel is the perfect sipping wine. It’s got bold rich and exciting flavors of ripe berries. Waft in the zesty aromas this wine produces. This kit comes with premium French Oak Chips and produces a dry body, full oak, and medium intensity wine. This winemaking kit comes with everything you need to get started making wine, including the grape skins!
- Sweetness: 0 out of 10
- Body: 5 out of 5
- Oak: 2 out of 3
- Ready in 8 weeks
- Product of Can
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3. Private Reserve Stags Leap California Merlot Wine Kit with Grape Skins
This rich and beautiful Merlot is a perfect addition to your wine collection. It pairs well with roasted duck breast or beef burgundy. It has a beautiful ruby red color that is only enhanced by the addition of the grape skins. You’ll get the smell of fruit and spice with rich and silky flavors of red berries, spices, and plum. This wine also has a nice smooth finish. This kit produces a medium to full-bodied dry wine with a medium oak intensity. Kit one of the best wine kits with grape skins today.
- Private Reserve Stag’s Leap District Merlot W/Skins
- Juicy plum and raspberry
- Savoury spice, smooth tannins, and oak
- BODY: Full, OAK: Heavy, SWEETNESS:
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4. RJS En Primeur Super Tuscan Winemaking Kit with Skins
This is one of our personal favorite winemaking kits that includes grape skins. RJ Spagnol’s super Tuscan wine kit produces a great tasting wine with a rich aroma of fresh raspberries and subtle hints of earthy tones and vanilla. You’ll get a full-bodied, dry wine that is just perfect. You’ll ferment this wine on untoasted American Oak shavings to give it a slight oaky flavor. RJS uses a proprietary method of extracting and preserving the grape skins that gives unrivaled results.
- RJ Spagnols super Tuscan wine k
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5. RJ Spagnols Italian Amarone En Primeur 6 Gallon Wine Kit
This RJ Spagnols Italian Amarone En Primeur 6 Gallon Wine Kit is a complex and indulgent red wine experience. It’s made with freshly harvested Amarone grapes from the Veneto region of Italy, and aged to perfection. The kit includes everything you need to make 6 gallons of rich, full-bodied Amarone wine. You’ll experience flavors of dark cherry, plum and blackberry, with hints of spice and dark chocolate. With its long, smooth finish, this kit is the perfect way to create a luxurious and indulgent red wine experience.
- En Primeur Winery Series
- Makes 6 gallons
- All the ingredients to make great wine
- Oak: Medium, Body: Full, Sweetness:
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6. Master Vintner – Sommelier Select Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Kit
The Master Vintner – Sommelier Select Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied red wine sure to impress the most discerning of palates. It is sourced from old vineyards, producing a robust and complex flavor profile. The aroma of ripe cherry and cassis are complemented by notes of toasted oak, blackberry, and dark chocolate. With a generous finish, this Cabernet Sauvignon is sure to be a favorite for any wine aficionado.
- Master Vintner Sommelier Select wants you to be a great winemaker. We start with top grapes from the world’s best wine regions and dedicate ourselves to quality at every level. The very best winemakers in the world know that exceptional wine starts in the vineyard, with the perfect combination of sunlight, soil, rain, and careful cultivation. Crafting your own signature wines to that very same standard starts herewith Sommelier Select, exclusively from Master Vintner Old vines produce intense gr
- The blackberry, blackcurrant and jammy notes give way to pepper, mint, cedar and black cherry. Dense and dark, with rock-ribbed tannins when young, it will round out to a smooth lustrous finish that goes on forever at its peak. The oldest vines (between 60 and 80 years) produce fruit unlike any other. And this Cabernet Sauvignon Recipe Kit features ingredients sourced at the peak of varietal expression, to bring out stupefying levels of fruit and extract. Its a curated expression of all the dec
- Sommelier Select Old Vine Cabernet includes grape skins in the kit. Grape Skins are an excellent addition to wine kits. Not only do they enhance body, mouth-feel, and tannin, they also boost color, flavor, and aroma. All of the red juices are macerated in their wineries to get the most out of the skins, but adding an extra dose of skin material turns up the volume on the wine character. Not only do they enhance body, mouth-feel, and tannin, they also boost color, flavor, and aroma. This is becau
- Toast the moments that matter with Sommelier Select, and make deliciously drinkable wines that youre going to love sharing with family and friends. When you make Sommelier Select you take the serendipity of sun and soil, and make it your own. And it shows in every glass. crafted by enologists in the winery, and curated by obsessives who love wine. And it shows in every glass. Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine Kit. Toast the moments that matter with Sommeli
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
7. Private Reserve Languedoc French Bordeaux
This exquisite French Bordeaux comes from the Languedoc region of France. It is a private reserve, made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes, vinified in traditional Bordeaux style. This medium-bodied wine is complex and full of flavor, with hints of ripe cherries, blackberry, and spice. The tannins are well balanced, giving the wine a subtle, smooth finish. Enjoy with a variety of dishes, including savory stews, roasted meats, and aged cheeses.
- Languedoc, France Bordeaux Blend Style W/Skins
- Plum, black currant, and red berries
- Warm spice character
- Subtle cedar and chocolate
- BODY: Full, OAK: Heavy, SWEETNESS:
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8. Wine Expert French Cabernet Sauvignon
Indulge in the exquisite taste of Wine Expert French Cabernet Sauvignon—one of the best wine kits with grape skins. This full-bodied wine is made with the finest Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the renowned French vineyards. Its robust aroma, with hints of blackcurrant and spice, will tantalize your taste buds. Its smooth, velvety texture is complemented by its rich, ruby-red color. The perfect balance of acidity and tannins will make you savor every sip. No matter your level of expertise, this exceptional wine will definitely be a crowd-pleaser.
- Country Of Origin: Canada
- Model Number: HOZQ8-1593
- Item Package Dimension: 12.5 L x 8.9 W x 7.8 H
- Item Package Weight: 35.0
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Other Great Winemaking Kits with Grape Skins
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Top | Winexpert Eclipse Napa Valley Stag's Leap District Merlot (with Grape Skins) Wine Ingredient Kit | Prime | Buy Now | |
Top | Eclipse Forza with Grape Skins 18 Liter Wine Making Kit | Prime | Buy Now | |
 | RJ Spagnols Super Tuscan with Skins En Primeur 6 Gallon Wine Kit | Prime | Buy Now | |
 | Midwest Homebrewing and Winemaking Supplies French Cabernet Sauvignon (World Vineyard) | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | En Primeur Winery Series Cabernet Sauvignon (Australian) Wine Kit w/ Cab Skins By RJS | Prime | Buy Now | |
 | Private Reserve Lodi, California Old Vine Zinfandel Wine Ingredient Kit | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Private Reserve Lodi, California Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Ingredient Kit | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Classic Spanish Tempranillo Wine Ingredient Kit | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
Common Questions About Wine Kits with Grape Skins
What is a wine kit with grape skins?
A wine kit with grape skins is a way to make wine at home using fresh grape skins, juice, and other ingredients. The kits typically include pre-measured amounts of all the necessary ingredients, as well as instructions on how to make the wine.
What kinds of wines can I make using a wine kit with grape skins?
Depending on the kit, you can make a variety of wines, such as red, white, blush, and sparkling wines.
What other ingredients are included in a wine kit with grape skins?
In addition to the fresh grape skins and juice, the kit typically includes other ingredients such as yeast, tannins, nutrients, and clarifying agents.
What is the advantage of using a wine kit with grape skins?
The advantage of using a wine kit with grape skins is that you can make a high-quality wine with fresh ingredients, without having to buy and store large amounts of grapes.
How long does it take to make wine with a wine kit with grape skins?
The time required for fermentation and aging will vary depending on the type of wine you are making, but the process typically takes 2-6 weeks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a wine kit that yields a high-quality beverage, look no further than the four wine kits mentioned in this article. All of these kits come with grape skins, which add a lot to the taste and quality of the final product. Whether you are a beginner or a master winemaker, these kits provide everything you need to craft a delicious and memorable bottle of wine.
