Creative juices

RJS Craft Winemaking DIY kits offer big taste on a small scale

Craft beer might get a lot of attention these days, but craft winemaking is suddenly booming too. Why the new-found interest? One word: quality.

RJS, a division of Arterra Wines Canada, is a leading producer of award-winning Canadian and imported wines, offering more than wine kits that blend juices and concentrates from grapes sourced from around the world. Last year the company packaged about 4.25 million litres of grape juice and grape juice concentrate, which translates into million litres of finished wine—enough to fill more than five Olympic-size swimming pools.

Steady, sustainable progress

The organization has come a long way since 1952, when Arrigo Spagnol, an Italian immigrant in Queensborough, British Columbia, started importing grapes from California to sell from his grocery store parking lot. Today, innovations in distribution, modern equipment and automated packaging have been combined with intense scrutiny and care on the part of the RJS research and development team to create kits that make quality wine.

“The reality is, a lot of the juice and ingredients that we source are the same ones that go into commercial wine,” says Wasserman, who explains that each wine kit’s blending and fermentation process goes through a testing period and trial phase before the formula hits the shelves. The grapes are sourced from leading global vineyards too, and the company has made a commitment to environmental practices that minimize its impact on the planet. Think greener packaging, less waste and water conservation.

Craft winemaking

All of this attention to detail pays off. Wasserman recently tried RJS’s new Cellar Master Platinum Amarone Style, a bold Italian wine widely known for turning dried grapes into gold (or, well, platinum). “I tried it and I was like, ‘Wow! I’d put this up against any commercial wine,’” he says. “It’s as good.”

When it comes to craft winemaking, the journey truly is as important as the destination. Wasserman has spoken to many hobbyist winemakers full of enthusiasm and knowledge. But it doesn’t take long for novices to gain confidence too.

“There’s enjoyment in the process, but then there’s pride that comes from the end result,” says Wasserman.

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Have no fear

Relax. If you’ve mastered sourdough bread, craft winemaking is a snap. Just carefully follow directions and be patient. If you’re inclined to give it a go, try a kit from RJS.

Mix the ingredients, set aside for four weeks and bottoms up. Or impress your friends (and yourself) with the sophisticated Cellar Master Platinum Amarone Style wine kit that boasts high-quality juice concentrate, perfect for first-time winemakers or those who want to try a new varietal.—KV

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