Hannibal Red Blend Wine Kit, Forte

Overview

You appreciate a sharp wit almost as much as a well made wine, and the Hannibal Red Blend Wine Kit, Forte, was created with both in mind. This is a Chianti style wine kit with a knowing smile, a nod to Italian tradition, and just enough irreverence to let you know it does not take itself too seriously. Yes, it pairs beautifully with fava beans, but more importantly, it gives you the satisfaction of crafting a serious, structured red wine that reflects your taste and confidence. Formerly known as the Cali Chianti Wine Kit, this wine could never legally wear the Chianti name due to its California origin, so Finer Wine Kits chose creativity over compromise. What you gain is a wine that honors the soul of Chianti while embracing the freedom to do things a little differently, just like you do when you choose to make wine at home instead of buying it off the shelf.

Flavor and Style
As you guide fermentation, you create a Chianti style wine that feels familiar yet unmistakably personal. Bright, tart cherry from Sangiovese leads the profile, delivering the classic backbone Chianti lovers expect. Merlot steps in with subtle spice and softens the edges, while Petite Sirah deepens the wine with dark berry fruit, savory notes, and added structure. The result is a dry, medium to big bodied red wine with vibrant acidity, layered complexity, and a confident finish that balances tradition with a modern sensibility. Each glass feels expressive and food driven, the kind of wine that elevates a meal and sparks conversation around the table.

What Makes This Kit Different
This is the ultimate home winemaking experience because you work with raw grape concentrates and real grape skins, not shelf stable alternatives designed for longevity rather than flavor. Your fermentation includes 4 lbs of real grape skins along with exclusive grape seed packs, a feature unique to Finer Wine Kits. In traditional red winemaking, seeds are essential for building authentic tannin structure and phenolic balance. Fermenting with skins and seeds delivers depth, grip, and a natural framework that supports a finished alcohol level of 14 percent without rough edges. This approach is exactly why wines made with Finer Wine Kits move beyond the familiar kit taste associated with shelf stable brands and instead deliver the texture, balance, and presence of wine made from fresh grapes.

Designed for Confidence and Control
You do not need prior winemaking experience to succeed, but you will finish the process with a deeper understanding of how real wine is made. Developed by home winemakers like you, Finer Wine Kits reflect years of hands on knowledge translated into a clear, reliable process. The instructions explain not only what to do, but why each step matters, allowing you to make informed decisions rather than simply following directions. This makes the experience rewarding for beginners and engaging for more experienced winemakers who want greater control over the final result.

Cold Stored, Direct to Your Door
This kit is a true agricultural product and cannot sit on a shelf. Because of its perishable nature, it is stored cold and shipped directly from freezer storage to your door, preserving freshness, aroma, and grape character. This direct to door approach is the only way a wine kit of this quality can exist. By avoiding distributors and wholesalers, you receive top grade ingredients at peak condition without unnecessary markups, ensuring exceptional value for a genuinely premium product.

The raw grape concentrate is vacuum evaporated at low temperatures to preserve the grape’s intrinsic character and eliminate the cooked flavors common in shelf stable kits. If you are not ready to begin immediately, the grape skins must be stored in the freezer, and the raw grape concentrates must be stored at 3 degrees F or colder. These storage requirements protect freshness and ensure the finished wine delivers clarity, structure, and balance.

Technical Details
• Finished alcohol: 14 percent ABV
• Yield: 28 to 30 bottles, 6 gallons
• Style: Chianti style red blend
• Varietals: Sangiovese, Merlot, Petite Sirah
• Character: Dry
• Region: Lodi, California
• Fermentation ingredients: Raw grape concentrate, 4 lbs of real grape skins, grape seed packs
• Storage requirements: Grape skins must be stored in the freezer, raw grape concentrates must be stored at 3 degrees F or colder
• Important notice: This kit is an agricultural product and must be fermented or cooked before being consumed

With the Hannibal Red Blend Wine Kit, Forte, you are not just recreating a classic, you are reinterpreting it. You craft a Chianti style wine that respects tradition, embraces creativity, and reflects the confidence of someone who enjoys great wine and knows exactly how it was made.

Watch the video tutorials for additional instruction. You can view and download the complete instruction booklet here. Advanced users can now also download an abbreviated version of the instructions here.

*This kit is an agricultural product and must be fermented or cooked before being consumed.

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