"boxed wine" news and stories

Best Boxed Red Wines

by Kristine Hansen, Posted May 20th 2010 @ 2:00PM

Photo: Elizabeth Hait

This past Monday we showcased our favorite boxed white wines -- now we bring you our picks for the best boxed reds. While some of the whites presented a flat palate, many of these reds showed complexity.

Find out which box wines are went above and beyond our expectations (and which we wouldn't dare serve at a party) after the jump.

Filed under: Taste Test, Drinks

Best Boxed White Wines

COMMENTS 16

by Kristine Hansen, Posted May 17th 2010 @ 3:00PM

Photo: Elizabeth Hait

In a recent tasting of boxed white wines, several surprised us by sailing above and beyond our expectations -- there are actually a few true gems packaged in Tyvek or paperboard. Taste aside, boxed wines have many advantages over glass bottles of vino: they're lighter in weight, making them easier to tote along on a camping trip or to a party, and the eco-friendly packaging uses less fossil fuel than shipping glass bottles.

But the best part is that boxed wines cost less than bottles. Inside each box is the equivalent of two or three bottles of wine, so for $15 to $20, you're actually getting a lot more wine for the same price as one mid-range bottle.

Find out which box wines are a good value, and which would we be willing to pour at a party after the jump.

Filed under: Taste Test, Drinks

Best Boxed Wines

COMMENTS 0

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Sep 1st 2009 @ 4:19PM

More people are drinking wine in a box than ever before. Read about the best boxed wines on Slashfood.

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Think Outside the (Wine) Box

by Kat Kinsman
Myths, Truths & Shopping Suggestions

Boxed wines of the past had a deservedly bad rap, but new packaging techniques have enticed makers of excellent vino to get juiced about wine boxes. We sipped and swirled over a dozen of 'em, so keep clicking to get our top picks (and a list of ones to skip) and one heck of a lot of reasons why we think great boxed wine is the wave of the future.

Nicole Goksel

Getty Images North America

Think Outside the (Wine) Box

Nicole Goksel

Delicato Bota Box Chardonnay - 2005 (California)

Verdict: We liked it.
Tasting notes: Great floral smell, easy-drinking, a little bit dry
Tip: Once bottled wine has been opened, it's got a 4 day shelf life before it starts to really oxidize and turn. Because the majority of boxed wines are built with a bag-in-box system that doesn't allow air in, it'll stay fresh for at least 4 weeks.

Nicole Goksel

Three Thieves Bandit Pinot Grigio - 2004 (California)

Verdict: Our favorite of the white wines
Tasting notes: Light, herbal, kiwi
Tip: Because boxed wine stays fresh for a significant amount of time, it's easy to keep a box on hand in the cupboard or fridge so you can pour a single glass whenever you'd like -- without having to go to the fuss of opening a new bottle or worrying about waste. It's perfect for those drinking a glass a day for a healthy heart.

Nicole Goksel

Washington Hills Columbia Valley Chardonnay - 2004 (Washington State)

Verdict: We loved it.
Tasting notes: Citrusy, grassy, fresh, slightly chalky
Tip:While a few wines come in 1 or 5 liter boxes, the box you'll usually find on the shelves is the "3 liter cask," which holds the equivalent of 4 bottles of wine.

Nicole Goksel

Banrock Station Chardonnay - 2006 (South Eastern Austrailia)

Verdict: We loved it.
Tasting notes: Peachy, vanilla, not too oaky
Tip: The 3-liter boxes we sampled cost between $11.99 and $29.99, with the average being around $16.99. While the high end of that range might be a bit more than you might wish to spend on an everyday bottle, remember -- you're actually getting 4 bottles worth. Even at $7.50 a bottle, that's still a steal.

Nicole Goksel

Three Thieves Bandit Cabernet Sauvignon - 2002 (California)

Verdict: Our favorite of the red wines (tie)
Tasting notes: Buttery, blackberries, also comes in a 4-pack of single-serving boxes
Tip: Even if you're short a home wine rack, there's no need to worry, 'cause the flat box packaging makes it as easy to store as cereal.

Nicole Goksel

Cintra Venezie Pinot Noir - Non-Vintage (Italy)

Verdict: We liked it
Tasting notes: A bit astringent, complex
Tip: Not so crafty with a corkscrew? No worries, 'cause the tab or cap is built right in-- eliminating the risk of crumbled cork and the resulting air exposure which taints the taste. Taps and screwcaps might have seemed tacky once upon a time, but more and more great winemakers are sealing the deal.

Nicole Goksel

Chateau de Pena Cuvee de Pena Vin de Pays - 2004 (France)

Verdict: Our favorite of the red wines (tie)
Tasting notes: Spicy, hint of blackberries, complex
Tip: If your friends seem resistant to the idea of boxed wine, try pouring in another room, and bringing in the glasses on a tray. Only after they've ooh-ed and ahh-ed, let 'em in on what it is they've been drinking. Great wines can come in square packages.

Nicole Goksel

French Rabbit Merlot - 2004 (France)

Verdict: We liked it
Tasting notes: Cherries, spicy chocolate
Tip: Because boxed wine has been kept under such tight wraps, aerobically speaking, make sure to give it a big ol' swirl in the glass, let it sit for a minute to fully open up and aerate, or dig out that decanter from the back of the cabinet.

Nicole Goksel

Thirsty Lizard Shiraz - 2005 (South Eastern Australia)

Verdict: We liked it very much
Tasting Notes: Plummy, jammy, easy-drinking
Tip: While this might all seem like a packaging revolution, folks in Europe and Australia have known and enjoyed the benefits of boxed booze for a long time. It's the perfect no-fuss way to enjoy the sorts of wines that are best enjoyed while they're still young and fresh -- no wine cellar required.

Nicole Goksel

Filed under: Taste Test

Here, try a glass of our finest boxed wine

COMMENTS 8

by Alanna Kaufman, Posted Jun 3rd 2008 @ 1:30PM

First there were screw tops, and now there are boxes. According to this article over at Mainstreet, high-quality boxed wines are becoming increasingly popular as wineries have begun packaging some of their finest products in this stereotypically cheap fashion. The story provides a list of the top six boxed wines available, but you can check out our boxed wine tasting, too!

I actually like the idea of toting a classy boxed wine to a picnic or serving some at a casual BBQ. What do you think? Would you drink a good wine from a box?

Source

Filed under: Trends, Lists, Drink Recipes