Solomon Grundy Platinum Wine Kit Range

The Solomon Grundy Platinum Wine Kit Range represents the premium tier of the Solomon Grundy family — producing rich, full-flavoured wines with the complexity and finish you'd expect from a considerably more expensive bottle. Each kit makes 30 bottles using high-quality grape concentrate selected for maximum varietal expression.

Available in seven classic varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Rosé.

Platinum vs Gold vs Classic

The Platinum range is the top tier in the Solomon Grundy family. Compared to the Gold range, Platinum kits use a higher-grade grape concentrate that delivers noticeably more body, structure, and depth of flavour. The result is a wine that compares favourably with bottles costing several times more in a supermarket.

What's Included

Each kit contains premium grape concentrate, yeast, finings, stabiliser, and step-by-step instructions. No additional sugar required — everything for fermentation and clearing is provided, just add water. See our full Platinum instructions for the complete process.

What Equipment Do You Need?

A 23-litre fermentation vessel, airlock, hydrometer, siphon, and 30 bottles. If you're new to home winemaking, our wine starter kits bundle all the essentials together. A good sanitiser like VWP or ChemSan is non-negotiable — it's the most important factor in producing clear, clean-tasting wine.

Choosing (and upgrading) your yeast

Platinum is built for depth and complexity rather than speed, so it's worth choosing a yeast that matches that ambition — and one suited to how warm your fermenting spot actually runs.

Making a red (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz): Mangrove Jack's R56 is built for rich, full-bodied reds with real aromatic complexity — a better match for Platinum's positioning than a quick-drinking strain. If your fermenting spot runs cold over winter (an unheated garage or utility room, often under 15°C), Lalvin EC-1118 is the more reliable choice — it won't stall in the cold, though you'll trade away some of R56's complexity.

Making a white (Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc): Mangrove Jack's BV7 is built for full-bodied, full-flavoured whites and preserves the grape variety's character well — fitting for a range built around structure. For a lighter, more aromatic result, and if you can ferment somewhere genuinely cool (under 15°C), Lalvin K1V-1116 is worth the extra care.

Making the rosé: Mangrove Jack's CL23 gives a crisp, clean result with reliable high alcohol tolerance.

How Long Does It Take?

Fermentation typically takes 5–7 days at 18–22°C. After clearing with the included finings, the wine is ready to bottle. Drinking quality is good immediately but improves significantly with 3–4 weeks of bottle conditioning — the Platinum range rewards patience.

Cost Per Bottle

At £35.95 for 30 bottles, that's around £1.20 per bottle — exceptional for a wine of this calibre.

Browse our full wine kit range, or explore the Cellar 7 range and WineBuddy 30 Bottle range as alternative premium options.