{"product_id":"winexpert-private-reserve-zinfandel","title":"Winexpert Private Reserve - Zinfandel (Lodi Old Vines, California)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWinexpert Private Reserve – Old Vine Zinfandel Wine Making Kit (Lodi, California)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLodi's old vine Zinfandel is the stuff of California winemaking legend. Decades-old vines, naturally low-yielding and intensely concentrated, produce grapes with a depth of flavour that younger vines simply can't replicate. This Winexpert Private Reserve kit captures that character in every bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrape skins are included, delivering the authentic colour, tannin structure, and complexity that define a proper Zinfandel. Bold, rich, and unmistakably Californian — this is a kit that rewards patience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAromas of crushed dark berries and subtle smoke lead into a full-bodied palate of blackberry, dark cherry, and plum, layered with oak spice and warmth. The finish is long and satisfying, with the richness and structure you'd expect from old vine fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWine Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Zinfandel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSweetness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOak:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eABV:\u003c\/strong\u003e 14% Approx.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lodi Old Vines, California\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrape Skins:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYield:\u003c\/strong\u003e 23 litres (approx. 30 x 750ml bottles)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReady:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6–8 weeks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLabels Included:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's Included?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e14L of Lodi Old Vine Grape Juice Concentrate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrape Skins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYeast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStabilisers \u0026amp; Clarifying Agents\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOak\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStep-by-step Instructions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePremium Bottle Labels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEquipment is required separately — a \u003ca href=\"\/wine-making-starter-kit\"\u003ewinemaking starter kit\u003c\/a\u003e is ideal if you're new to home winemaking. Otherwise, you'll need a primary fermenter (30L minimum), a 23L carboy, \u003ca href=\"\/airlocks-bungs\"\u003eairlock and bung\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/siphoning-equipment\"\u003eracking equipment\u003c\/a\u003e, a \u003ca href=\"\/hydrometers-testing\"\u003ehydrometer\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/sanitizers-cleaners\"\u003eno-rinse sanitiser\u003c\/a\u003e, approx. 30 x \u003ca href=\"\/wine-bottles\"\u003e750ml bottles\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/corks-closures\"\u003ecorks\u003c\/a\u003e, and a \u003ca href=\"\/corkers\"\u003ecorker\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #d0121a;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note: this is an ingredients kit only — winemaking equipment is required separately.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWinemaker's Tip\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOld Vine Zinfandel benefits enormously from bottle aging. While it's ready to bottle in 6–8 weeks, the intense fruit and tannins need time to integrate and soften. Aim for a minimum of 6 months in the bottle — 12 months will deliver a noticeably smoother, more complex result. This is a wine worth waiting for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eWhat does \"Old Vine\" mean for the wine?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eOlder Zinfandel vines naturally produce fewer grapes, but with significantly more concentrated flavour and intensity. \"Old Vine\" on the label signals a richer, deeper, more complex wine compared to younger vine fruit — and you'll taste the difference in the finished bottle.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eIs this Zinfandel sweet?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eNo — this kit ferments fully dry. Zinfandel's naturally jammy, berry-forward character can read as sweetness, but there is very little residual sugar in the finished wine. It's fruit-forward and bold, but technically a dry red.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eHow does this compare to other Zinfandel kits?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eThis kit leans firmly towards the bold, rich Lodi style — full-bodied, dark-fruited, and spiced with medium oak. If you enjoy full-flavoured, structured Zinfandels rather than lighter styles, this kit is well suited to your palate.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eWhat foods pair well with this wine?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eZinfandel's boldness pairs beautifully with grilled meats, barbecue, smoked dishes, hearty pasta with meat sauce, and aged hard cheeses. Its full body and intensity stand up well to rich, flavourful food.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e","brand":"Bevie","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52626117493079,"sku":"3310","price":124.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0979\/5495\/5607\/files\/PrivateReserveCaliforniaLodiOldVinesZinfandelStyle.jpg?v=1774369388","url":"https:\/\/www.home-brew-hopshop.co.uk\/products\/winexpert-private-reserve-zinfandel","provider":"The Hop Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}