Volume 30 / Issue 01 / January 2026 2025
Happy New Year from Wine Kitz Brantford!
Here’s to 2026—may your year be smooth, balanced, and pleasantly aromatic… basically, everything we want our wine to be.
As we kick off a fresh calendar, we want to thank you for supporting our locally owned shop and for choosing to craft your wine with us. Every batch you make keeps our little winemaking community thriving—and your wine rack stocked, which is equally important.
If you’re looking for a New Year’s resolution you’ll actually keep, might we gently suggest: make more wine. Try a new style, revisit an old favourite, or finally tackle that kit you’ve been eyeing but pretending you don’t have room for (you do; trust us).
We’re excited for another year filled with new releases, returning favourites, and plenty of opportunities to create something delicious together.
Cheers to a year full of good wine, good company, and good stories.
Wine Kitz Brantford
Gary Bell
GLOBAL PASSPORT SERIES 2026 — Preorder Yours Today!
SAUVIGNON BLANC CHARDONNAY (Alto Blanco) – Manchuela, Spain / Maipo, Chile
Available January 2026
Sweetness: Dry | Alcohol: 12.5% | Body: Medium | Oak: Unoaked
Labels Included
THE WINE
Alto Blanco shines with bright tropical fruit, crisp citrus, and juicy green apple common of Sauvignon Blanc — perfectly balanced by the smooth, rounded texture of Chardonnay. It’s zesty, refreshing, and graceful, capturing the best of both worlds (and both continents) in one elegant glass.
THE REGION
From the high plateaus of Manchuela, Spain to the mountain valleys of Maipo, Chile, this transcontinental collaboration unites Old World elegance with New World energy. Cool nights, limestone-rich soils, and Andes breezes create a vibrant white wine bursting with freshness and complexity.
THE FOOD
Grilled shrimp with lemon and garlic
Goat cheese salad with citrus vinaigrette
Feta and other tangy cheeses
WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE THIS KIT
Because it’s not just a wine — it’s a world tour in a glass. A beautifully balanced blend of two iconic grapes from two celebrated regions, Alto Blanco delivers sophistication, freshness, and unbeatable drinkability. Perfect for spring sipping, seafood dinners, or showing off your refined taste.
Preorder your kit today — once it’s gone, it’s gone until the next Passport adventure!
Start Your Valentine’s Wine Now (Because February Arrives Like a Sneaky Ninja)
January is that weird month where we all pretend we have tons of time… until we realize Valentine’s Day is about five minutes away. If you want a wine that actually feels special—not a last-minute run to the grocery store shelf—January is the moment to start a wine kit.
Most wines take 4–6 weeks from start to finish. In other words: start now, and by the time Cupid clocks in, you’ll have something that tastes far better than anything with a heart-shaped sticker on it.Need inspiration?
— Chocolate desserts – Go for Merlot, Shiraz, or Chocolate Raspberry dessert wine kits (if available). Big, velvety reds stand up to those rich, sweet flavours instead of getting bullied by them.
— Lobster, shrimp, and seafood pasta – Think Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Chardonnay. Crisp whites cut through butter like a hot knife—romantic and practical.
— Steak or roast beef – You want a red with some backbone: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, or Cabernet Franc. Perfect if your Valentine appreciates bold flavours and confident pours.
— Creamy pasta or risotto – Try a Viognier, Chardonnay, or even a light, fruity Rosé. Smooth, rich dishes love wines with a bit of roundness.
— Cheese boards & fruit-forward snacks – A lively Rosé, Riesling, or Pinot Noir keeps things bright and playful—ideal for low-key Valentine evenings.
And here’s the real kicker: whichever wine you choose, you walk away with 30 bottles. Date night might be just one evening—but the wine can last you (at least) until patio season.
Drop in this week and we’ll help you get the perfect Valentine’s batch bubbling.
WINEXPERT LE25 — Preorder Yours Today!
BLANC DE NOIR – Languedoc, France
Available January 2026
Sweetness: Dry | Alcohol: 12.5% | Body: Medium | Oak: None | Labels Included
THE WINE
A truly distinctive white wine crafted from black Grenache grapes with minimal skin contact during pressing — hence the name Blanc de Noir, meaning “white from black.” Expect fresh layers of white peach, pink grapefruit, and a touch of spice, lifted by herbaceous notes and a crisp, lingering finish. Hints of red apple and strawberry peek through, giving this wine remarkable complexity and charm.
THE REGION
From France’s sun-drenched Languedoc region, where the Mediterranean climate meets cool sea breezes, Grenache thrives in limestone and clay soils that retain just enough moisture to produce concentrated, expressive fruit. The result? A refined coastal white that captures both the warmth of the South of France and the freshness of the sea air — an inventive twist on tradition.
THE FOOD
Roast Pork or Pork Chops; Lobster Risotto; Grilled peaches with mascarpone and honey
Each pairing highlights a different side of this wine — the savory depth of pork, the creamy luxury of seafood, and the sweet simplicity of ripe fruit.
🍷 WHY YOU SHOULD BUY THIS KIT!
Blanc de Noir is one of those wines that makes you pause mid-sip and think, “Wait… this came from red grapes?” It’s fresh and pale in colour but full of character — bursting with white peach, pink grapefruit, subtle spice, and soft notes of red apple and strawberry.
This Limited Edition release is elegant, crisp, and incredibly food-friendly — perfect for seafood, soft cheeses, or summer patios. It’s also a one-time-only kit, so when it’s gone, it’s gone.
If you love wines that are refined yet refreshing, with a touch of Old World charm, Blanc de Noir deserves a spot in your cellar — and on your table.
👉 Preorder your kit today — this limited-edition LE25 release
is only available once, and when it’s gone, it’s gone!
January 4 – National Spaghetti Day
If your dinner tonight involves twirling noodles like a pro, make sure your wine game is just as smooth. Spaghetti loves a medium-bodied red—think Sangiovese (Chianti-style), Super Tuscan, or Merlot—wines that can handle tomatoes without getting bossed around.
Want a perfect pasta pairing on hand all winter? Start a batch now and you’ll have 30 bottles ready for every carb-lover’s dream meal. Mangia!
January 10 – National Bittersweet Chocolate Day
Today’s the day to treat yourself—preferably with chocolate and a wine that can keep up. Bittersweet chocolate pairs beautifully with bold reds like Merlot, Shiraz, or Cabernet, and it’s downright magical with a rich dessert-style wine kit.
Start a batch now and you’ll have 30 bottles ready for every chocolate craving that 2026 throws at you. Cheers to sweet (and slightly bitter) bliss!!
January 20 – National Cheese Lover’s Day
If cheese is your love language, we’ve got the perfect match: wine. Creamy brie? Go with Chardonnay. Aged cheddar? Try Cabernet or Malbec. Goat cheese? Sauvignon Blanc all the way.
Start a wine kit now and you’ll have 30 bottles ready for every cheese board you “accidentally” assemble this winter. Pair smart, snack often, sip happily.
STORE HOURS
MONDAY: CLOSED
TUESDAY: 10:00 – 5:00
WEDNESDAY: 10:00 – 5:00
THURSDAY: 10:00 – 5:00
FRIDAY: 10:00 – 5:00
SATURDAY: 10:00 – 2:00
SUNDAY: CLOSED
CONTACT US
358 King George Rd
Brantford, ON
N3P0A1
Phone: 519-750-0861
Email: wkbrantford@rogers.com
Website: www.winekitzbrantford.com
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