Wine Walk Through
The Process
Crafting wine at Caribou Brewmasters is simple. You don't even need an appointment, just come on down! All you have to do is:
- Choose your wine from our incredible line-up.
- We’ll mix the ingredients.
- You add (pitch) the yeast - It’s the law. (And no, we can’t do it. Sorry).
- We will monitor fermentation, and take care of the messy transfers, clarification and filtering.
- You come in and bottle your wine after the completion date.
- Invite some friends over!
Our knowledgeable staff can answer any of your questions about the wine making process.
Please check our FAQ or contact us.
Our Wines
We are proud to carry a wide selection of kits from RJ Spagnol's - the leading player in the ferment-on-premise industry. From entry level kits composed of 5L of concentrated domestic grapes, to 18L of internationally sourced grapes in the ultra-premium En Primeur line - Caribou Brewmasters has something to suit your taste AND your budget.
There are four tiers of kits available (please see "Wine Types"). Each successive level has a higher ratio of fresh or pure juice versus concentrate. The more fresh juice, the more layers of flavour, the longer it takes to ferment, all resulting in a better finished product. Delicious wines of every variety that will put many a commercial bottle to shame.
All kits except our specialty wines (ports, ice wines & sherry) produce 28 to 30 standard 750ml bottles. Specialty varieties are half the size - producing 14 to 15 standard bottles, OR 28 to 30 small (375ml) bottles.
Bottling
If you don’t have any bottles, we can certainly sell you some. Clear or green bottles (both 750ml & 375ml) are always in stock and cost $1.25 each (tax included). Fancy bottles, with fluted shapes and fun colours are also available, but cost a bit more at $3.00 each (also tax incl.)
You can bring in your own wine bottles (no screw tops or champagne bottles please) but make sure they are clean clean clean! We always give you a half-hour of bottling time per batch. This is plenty of time to sanitize, fill, cork, and fancify your bottles. And please, book your bottling appointment at least 24- 48 hours ahead. We tend to fill up fast.
Storing And Caring For Your Wine
When you get your wine home, keep the bottles upright for a couple of weeks before you lay them on their sides. And after you put them on their sides, make sure you store your wines in a cool, dark place.
Red wine is usually served at room temperature. White wine and blushes are generally served chilled. The more fresh juice a kit has, the longer it will need to age. A heavier, or more tannic variety may benefit from extended aging. Optimal aging time and shelf life will depend on the level of kit, and the type of wine bottled. Reds tend to last longer than whites, but all wines (with some notable exceptions) are best enjoyed between 1 and 5 years after bottling.
Rinse your bottles thoroughly after enjoying their contents, and leave upside down to dry. Just remember that moisture is the enemy of proper bottle maintenance, and you will be able to refill and enjoy them for years to come. If you feel the need to clean your bottles, contact us for a list of acceptable products, and resist the urge to use soap - anything that suds will be hard to rinse.
