Winemaker's and Brewer's Newsletter
Holidays 2009
2010 Restricted Quantity Wine Kits JUST announced!
RJ Spagnols has just announced the selection of Restricted Quantity Wine kits for 2010! These 5 kits represent unique wines from around the world:
German Ehrenfelser, ships late January 2010, $110
Argentine Malbec-Syrah, ships late January 2010, $114
Argentine Torrontes, ships late February 2010, $110
Portuguese Trio do Vinho Tinto, ships late March 2010, $128
South African Cabernet Franc Merlot, ships late April 2010, $128
Details on these once-in-a-lifetime offerings are available at The Wine Smith or at RJ Spagnols. Each kit makes 6 gallons and includes bottle labels. And, if you pre-order three or more of any combination of RQ Kits, The Wine Smith will discount them by 5%!
Holiday Store Hours
The Wine Smith will be open normal hours through the holidays; Wednesday thru Friday 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, we will be closed Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 26th), Christmas Day (Friday, December 25th) and New Year's Day (Friday, Jan. 1st).
As usual, we will be happy to serve customers visiting or passing through Mobile by prior appointment.
Holiday Layaways and Special Orders
While The Wine Smith does not offer layaway, we will be happy to reserve any stock item for pickup within seven days. Also, be sure to place your special orders early to avoid disappointment as our supplier stock runs low and shipping times run long as the holidays approach.
Blichmann Engineering and Polar Ware
The Wine Smith is proud to now offer the complete lines of quality brewing and winemaking equipment from Blichmann Engineering and Ploar Ware. These companies feature high quality stainless steel brew pots, fermenters and accessories. Our in-stock selection is limited but we can get next day service on almost any item shown in the online catalogs for Blichmann and Polar Ware.
RJ Spagnols Wins Winemake Competition - Again!
Wine kits from RJ Spagnols were for the third year in a row awarded the most medals at the 2009 Winemaker International Amateur Wine Competition. Medals include:
>Best in Show, Kit - Cellar Classic Winery Series California Cabernet Sauvignon
>Best in Show, Dessert Wine - Cru select White Chocolate White Port
>En Primeur Kits - 60 medals
>Cellar Classic Kits - 43 medals
>Orchard Breezin' Kits - 37 medals
>Grand Cru Kits - 18 medals
The Wine Smith stocks many of these award-winning kits; for a copmplete list of awards and kits, check out RJ Spagnols.
November Brewer's Specials
Cascade Hop Pellets, 1 oz. for $1.99 or 1 pound for $23.95. That's about 40% off!
True Brew Kits - buy 2 or more and receive $2.00 off each kit
Make Better Fruit Wines with Grape Concentrates
You may have noticed that many fruit wine recipes call for the addition of red or white grape concentrate to the must. The amount is small, usually around a pint of concentrate per gallon of must. The purpose of this is to improve the body and mouthfeel, as well as to enhance the natural fruit flavor of the wine. The Wine Smith stocks Red and White Grape Concentrate in a one liter size, perfect for a five gallon batch of wine. Try it in your next fruit wine and taste the difference!
Holiday Gift Hints
It's not too late to drop hints to your family and friends about that special piece of equipment or ingredient kit you've had your eye on all year. So whether it's a filtration system, grain crusher, fruit press, floor corker, oak barrell or bench capper - remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease, so squeak up!