{"product_id":"winexpert-private-reserve-cabernet-sauvignon","title":"Winexpert Private Reserve - Cabernet Sauvignon (Lodi Ranch 11, California)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWinexpert Private Reserve – Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Making Kit (Lodi, California)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCrafted from premium Lodi, California grape juice concentrate, this Winexpert Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the finest wine kits available for home winemakers. Rich, structured, and unmistakably Californian — this is a kit that delivers results you'd be proud to serve.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrape skins are included, making a significant difference to colour depth, tannin structure, and overall complexity. If you're looking for a bold, true-to-style Cabernet Sauvignon, this is the kit to make.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat This Kit Makes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpect a deep garnet wine with aromas of blackcurrant, black cherry, vanilla, and cedar — classic hallmarks of a well-made California Cab. On the palate, it's dry and full-bodied with firm, structured tannins and a long, satisfying finish. A natural partner for grilled red meat, roast lamb, or aged cheese, and a wine that rewards patience in the bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat You'll Need to Make It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll ingredients are included: premium juice concentrate, grape skins, yeast, stabilisers, fining agents, oak, and instructions. You'll also need winemaking equipment — a \u003ca href=\"\/wine-making-starter-kit\"\u003ecomplete starter set\u003c\/a\u003e is ideal for newcomers. Otherwise, you'll need:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA primary fermenter (30L \/ 7.9 US gallon capacity minimum)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA 23L (6-gallon) carboy for secondary fermentation and clearing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn \u003ca href=\"\/airlocks-bungs\"\u003eairlock and stopper\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/siphoning-equipment\"\u003eRacking equipment\u003c\/a\u003e (auto-siphon, cane, and tubing)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA \u003ca href=\"\/hydrometers-testing\"\u003ehydrometer\u003c\/a\u003e and test jar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/sanitizers-cleaners\"\u003eNo-rinse sanitiser\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApprox. 30 x 750ml \u003ca href=\"\/wine-bottles\"\u003ewine bottles\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/corks-closures\"\u003eCorks\u003c\/a\u003e and a \u003ca href=\"\/corkers\"\u003ecorker\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKit Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: auto; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #ccc;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003eCabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSweetness:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003eDry\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBody:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003eFull\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOak:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003eHeavy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABV:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003e13.5–14% Approx.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape Skins:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLabels Included:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003eLodi, California\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJuice Volume:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003e~14 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReady:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003e6–8 weeks (to bottle)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYield:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;\"\u003e23 litres (approx. 30 x 750ml bottles)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWinemaker's Tip\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a grape skin kit like this, don't rush the clearing phase — allow adequate time for heavier tannins to settle before bottling. For best results, age this wine in the bottle for at least 6 months. A year or more will reward you with a noticeably smoother, more integrated Cabernet. Patience is well worth it with a premium kit like this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eHow long should I age this Cabernet Sauvignon?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eIt's ready to bottle in 6–8 weeks, but this Private Reserve Cab genuinely improves with time. Aim for a minimum of \u003cstrong\u003e6 months in the bottle\u003c\/strong\u003e, with 12–24 months delivering the best results. Big reds need time for tannins and flavours to fully integrate.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eIs this kit suitable for beginners?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes — the main additional step versus a basic kit is managing the grape skins (punching down the cap daily during fermentation). The instructions are clear and thorough. As long as equipment is kept well sanitised and the process is followed carefully, the results will be excellent.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eWhat's the difference between Private Reserve and standard Cab kits?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003ePrivate Reserve uses higher-quality juice concentrate from specific regions, combined with grape skins — neither of which is standard in entry-level kits. The result is significantly more colour, body, tannin structure, and flavour complexity: a genuinely premium wine.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eWhat foods pair well with this wine?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eClassic Cabernet pairings work beautifully: grilled steak, roast beef, lamb, hearty pasta with meat sauce, or aged hard cheeses. Its full body and firm tannins stand up well to rich, flavourful dishes.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e","brand":"Bevie","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52626117755223,"sku":"3313","price":124.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0979\/5495\/5607\/files\/PrivateReserveCaliforniaLodiCabernetSauvignonStyle.jpg?v=1774368580","url":"https:\/\/www.home-brew-hopshop.co.uk\/products\/winexpert-private-reserve-cabernet-sauvignon","provider":"The Hop Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}