Cons: Given the wide availability of ginger aie, there's not much use for it.
The Bottom Line: Stone's is thoroughly inoffensive sweet raisin wine flavored with ground ginger. Given the wide availability of ginger,ginger liqueur, and ginger ale, I don't see any reason to buy it.
Stone's Ginger Wine is one of those products like Cherry Kijafa, that seem to be stocked at most wine shops despite "nobody", or nobody I know, anyway, having a liking for the stuff or even having ever purchased a bottle.
It's not fermented ginger root--that would probably be awful!--but instead a raisin wine flavored with ground ginger. As such, it falls into the broader category of tonic wines, and it shares their heritage: it's a 19th-century British patent medicine now sold as a beverage. Like most of these, it's sweet, about as sweet as cream sherry. Unlike most tonic wines on the market, it isn't fortified; its alcohol content is a reasonable 13.5%. Curiosity got the better of me a while ago, and I bought a bottle. Take my advice and don't bother. It's not that it's bad, but rather, that it's almost pointless.
Stone's' label suggests serving on the rocks, with soda, or mixed in equal measure with brandy as something called a "Ginger Mick." On its own, neat or on the rocks, it's textured like cream sherry, with a warm ginger flavor. "Raisin wine" here doesn't mean Amarone or vin de paille; the base spirit tastes like someone made a wine of grocery-store golden raisins. Not offensive in the least, but there isn't much to it.
With soda, it tastes just like ginger ale. Not like Reed's Ginger Brew or my homemade yeast-carbonated stuff, both of which are far better, but like Schweppes or Canada Dry: sweet and without bite. Hence my assertion that Stone's is largely pointless. For long drinks, ginger ale is available in 2-liter bottles, and several more cost-effective ginger liqueurs exist for those wanting ginger flavor in a cocktail.
If you're given a bottle of Stone's or a guest brings one--or if you are the mysterious person who is the reason for it being stocked everywhere--try making it into a flip (see below).
From the comments section:
Epinions contributor "cr01" provides a bit of what could be called "local knowledge" about this product's raison d'être:
" In the UK at least it is something of a Christmas tradition, and we usually have a bottle kicking around.
I actually like it with a plash of vodka to kill out that sweetness a little. "
Stone's Ginger Flip
Flip is a centuries-old half-forgotten mixed drink, similar to eggnog. It may be had hot or cold and is usually made with either fortified wine or spirits. Stone's Ginger Wine is neither, but works equally well. Since it's lower in alcohol than cream sherry, I've increased the amount of wine in the recipe.
Ingredients: 1 egg 1 tbsp brandy 1 tsp powdered sugar 4 oz Stone's Ginger Wine 1 oz half-and-half nutmeg, mace, allspice, or cinnamon
Directions: Shake the egg and brandy together vigorously, until homogenized. Add the half-and-half, Stone's Ginger Wine, a bit of ice (if serving cold) and powdered sugar. Shake. Strain into the glass of your choice. Top with a sprinkle of nutmeg, mace, allspice, or cinnamon.
Stones Original Green Ginger Wine is well known for its distinctive flavour and traditional recipe Many years of imaginative and colourful advertising...More at WineChateau.com
Stones Original Green Ginger Wine is well known for its distinctive flavour and traditional recipe Many years of imaginative and colourful advertising...More at GreatCorks.com
Stones Original Green Ginger Wine is well known for its distinctive flavour and traditional recipe Many years of imaginative and colourful advertising...More at Grand Wine Cellar
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.