Can anyone recommend a good box wine?!
I've recently become enamoured with drinking wine, and have a few glasses each night with dinner!. Problem is, this gets expensive! I've read that box wine (which I always associate w/ Franzia or other low-quality, mass-produced wines) is becoming more vogue in Europe and, now, in the US, simply because it lasts longer and is more cost-effective, and that there are quality wines you can get in a box!. Just wondering if anyone had any recommendations! I like reds best--pinot noir, zinfandel, cabernet, chianti!. Thanks!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
I am an avid wine drinker and buyer!. I spend hundreds upon hundreds of dollars on wine every year!. I see nothing wrong with boxed wines!. Of course, they are not "fine wines" in the sense that you can not age them but here is the low down on boxed wines:
Five reasons to buy boxed wine:
1!. You get more bang for your buck!. Premium wines come in 3-liter boxes (the equivalent of about four bottles) and sell anywhere from $15 to $25 a pop!. Do the math — you’re getting a good deal on a good wine!.
2!. There’s no pressure to polish it off in one night!. Unlike a bottle, which goes bad within a day or two of uncorking, boxed wine lasts about four to six weeks!.
3!. You can drink it now!. Forget about the whole let-it-age thing — boxed wines are meant to be drunk within a year of being made!.
4!. It’s transportable!. Because it won’t shatter, boxed wine is perfect for picnics, the beach, and tailgates!. Take the oxygen-tight bag out of the box and bring it backcountry camping!.
5!. You have a reason to use that carafe!. A pretty decanter filled with red wine looks so good on your table!.
When shopping, look for:
3-liter boxes!. These hold the good stuff!. Avoid the old-school 5-liter cartons!.
The vintage date and the varietal printed on the box!. You want more information than simply “delicious red wine!.” More recent vintages are generally better — boxed wine is not meant for the cellar!.
The region!. Check for familiar winemaking regions such as southeastern Australia or the Napa Valley!.
Here are your best bets for boxed wine:
Black Box Chardonnay 2005 (Monterey County, CA; $18)!. Creamy, buttery nose (with hints of Golden Delicious apple) meets zippy citrus flavors on the palate!.
Delicato Merlot Bota Box 2004 (California; $18)!. Earthy nose with dried cherries!. Smooth tannins and a long finish make it pleasant!.
Stonehaven Chardonnay 2005 (Southeastern Australia; $18)!. Minerals and acid keep it from being flabby, despite its buttery nose!.
Wine Cube Pinot Grigio 2004 (California; $16)!. Who knew you could get good wine at Target!? Crisp citrus with melon and stone fruit!. Great food wine!.
Wine Cube Shiraz 2004 (South Australia; $16)!. Bacony, leathery, earthy, with dark plums and berries!.
Most of these are available at Beverages & More, except for Wine Cube, which is manufactured by Target and available only at Target stores!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Five reasons to buy boxed wine:
1!. You get more bang for your buck!. Premium wines come in 3-liter boxes (the equivalent of about four bottles) and sell anywhere from $15 to $25 a pop!. Do the math — you’re getting a good deal on a good wine!.
2!. There’s no pressure to polish it off in one night!. Unlike a bottle, which goes bad within a day or two of uncorking, boxed wine lasts about four to six weeks!.
3!. You can drink it now!. Forget about the whole let-it-age thing — boxed wines are meant to be drunk within a year of being made!.
4!. It’s transportable!. Because it won’t shatter, boxed wine is perfect for picnics, the beach, and tailgates!. Take the oxygen-tight bag out of the box and bring it backcountry camping!.
5!. You have a reason to use that carafe!. A pretty decanter filled with red wine looks so good on your table!.
When shopping, look for:
3-liter boxes!. These hold the good stuff!. Avoid the old-school 5-liter cartons!.
The vintage date and the varietal printed on the box!. You want more information than simply “delicious red wine!.” More recent vintages are generally better — boxed wine is not meant for the cellar!.
The region!. Check for familiar winemaking regions such as southeastern Australia or the Napa Valley!.
Here are your best bets for boxed wine:
Black Box Chardonnay 2005 (Monterey County, CA; $18)!. Creamy, buttery nose (with hints of Golden Delicious apple) meets zippy citrus flavors on the palate!.
Delicato Merlot Bota Box 2004 (California; $18)!. Earthy nose with dried cherries!. Smooth tannins and a long finish make it pleasant!.
Stonehaven Chardonnay 2005 (Southeastern Australia; $18)!. Minerals and acid keep it from being flabby, despite its buttery nose!.
Wine Cube Pinot Grigio 2004 (California; $16)!. Who knew you could get good wine at Target!? Crisp citrus with melon and stone fruit!. Great food wine!.
Wine Cube Shiraz 2004 (South Australia; $16)!. Bacony, leathery, earthy, with dark plums and berries!.
Most of these are available at Beverages & More, except for Wine Cube, which is manufactured by Target and available only at Target stores!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Forget about it!. It's junk
you can get some decent wines in 1500ml sizes but the boxed stuff is nasty!. First of all, it's stored in plastic rather than glass which can create a leached flavor in the wine!. Second of all, once a wine has been opened, it will only last a few days before beginning to lose quality!. If you buy in a large volume, you either drink more/faster or drink a glass that gets worse with each passing day of having been openedWww@FoodAQ@Com
you can get some decent wines in 1500ml sizes but the boxed stuff is nasty!. First of all, it's stored in plastic rather than glass which can create a leached flavor in the wine!. Second of all, once a wine has been opened, it will only last a few days before beginning to lose quality!. If you buy in a large volume, you either drink more/faster or drink a glass that gets worse with each passing day of having been openedWww@FoodAQ@Com
Boxed wine by design is very poor and cheap!. Wherever did you hear that it's becoming "more vogue in Europe", that is laughable!!. also boxed wine does not last longer than bottled wine by any stretch of the imagination!. Poor info all 'round!!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
franzia merlot gets my first vote, then their cabernet
my second choice is vella -merlot
i always bought the 5 liter box and found there were plenty of tannins and the box well constructed enough to preserve the wine!. happy drinking!Www@FoodAQ@Com
my second choice is vella -merlot
i always bought the 5 liter box and found there were plenty of tannins and the box well constructed enough to preserve the wine!. happy drinking!Www@FoodAQ@Com
anything that they sell at gas stations are amazingWww@FoodAQ@Com
Stacyloveswine is more on track than the box bashers!.!.!. Granted boxed wine is not a conneseur's wine, however, it does have its place on the food chain!.!.!. World Market carries a few boxed wines that are pretty good!.
If you define "expensive" as more than $10 a bottle, then I guess "better wine" is indeed more expensive!. I recommend a Vac U Vin wine saver!. You can find them at any wine shop and also online!. This will save the wine for a few days longer than re-inserting a plain old cork as it evacuates the air out of the bottle in a very efficient manner!.
The fact that once wine is opened that it will go bad is always a valid problem!. However, if it's in the liner in the box, no air has had the chance to come in contact with the wine, so I REALLY challenge ANYONE to taste the difference to a boxed wine on day one versus day five!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
If you define "expensive" as more than $10 a bottle, then I guess "better wine" is indeed more expensive!. I recommend a Vac U Vin wine saver!. You can find them at any wine shop and also online!. This will save the wine for a few days longer than re-inserting a plain old cork as it evacuates the air out of the bottle in a very efficient manner!.
The fact that once wine is opened that it will go bad is always a valid problem!. However, if it's in the liner in the box, no air has had the chance to come in contact with the wine, so I REALLY challenge ANYONE to taste the difference to a boxed wine on day one versus day five!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Try to find "Black Box" it is really very good wine!. Plus the box is compact so your white wine can store easily in the fridge!. I think it runs about 17!.00 to 22!.00, but it's like 5 bottles of wine!. Sometimes it's even on sale!. The merlot I know is 13!.5 percent, which is better than 12 percent of most box wines!. You won't feel cheap serving it to company either!. Almaden is really gross, so avoid that one!.Www@FoodAQ@Com