There must be 100's of wine kits now available in most good homebrew shops, and you probably have a few favourites, but why not try to make them a bit better.

In this article we will look at various options for either improving a wine kit or turning it into something completely new.

Option1:  Chocolate wine.  Take any good full bodied red wine kit and ferment it as per the instructions.  Sweeten to taste by adding a little brewing sugar, and then flavour by slowely adding small aliquote of Still Spirits Chocolate essence.  I have personally made a Chocolate Merlot like this.  It is unbelievable.  As a variation, try adding a little natural vanilla essence.

Option 2:   Mother-in-Law Whine.  No it doesn't leave a nasty aftertaste, or put tears in your eyes.  Ferment out a good quality 1 gallon Chardonnay kit.  Then add 1 sliced dragon fruit per gallon - this will turn it pink, and either a few drops of rose water or a cup full of rose petals.  Sweeten to taste.  This wine is a fantastic summer wine served chilled.

Option 3:  More body.  You have several options here.  Add oak chips to increase tannin, or some dried elderberries to add extra everything.

Option 4: Port.  Ferment out any good quality red wine kit.  Sweeten by adding a small can of red grape juice per gallon, and increase the alcohol by the addition of some cheap brandy.  This really is superb Port and you made it yourself.  Again, add extra oak chips if you would like it a bit more oaky.

Option 5:  Champagne:  Put any wine (red or white) into a soda stream and carbonate.  Release the pressure really slowely as they can erupt.  Serve highly chilled. Alternatively ferment out your favourite kit, but do not add the stabiliser at the end.  Once it is naturally clear place it into swingtop bottles, add one teaspoon of sugar and seal.  The wine will ferment in the bottle and carbonate itself.  Allow the wine to clear very well before opening (chill the bottle and release the pressure slowely).