Surprise in a Box of Wine

You’ve seen the wine in a box stacked neatly near the “real” wine on the grocer’s shelf but like many, your embarrassed to admit that one of those boxes has spent time in your refrigerator at some point or another. Early in our wine drinking life it was not uncommon for us to have a box of both “red” and “white” gracing a shelf simply because while the wine was nothing great, it was drinkable, convenient, and tasted consistent from the moment it was opened until the last glass was dispensed from its plastic spigot.

Several companies have started placing premium wines in boxes containing a foil and plastic bladder offering something new for those who may wish to drink only a glass or two of good wine with no loss in quality during its shelf life of several months. The companies prefer to call the wine “cask wine” to separate them from the traditional low quality wine found in boxes.

The theory is simple. As the wine is dispensed, the bag collapses preventing the oxidation that begins immediately once a traditional bottle is opened. Bottled wine is rarely enjoyable a day or two after opening and wine opened for a week or more can cause more facial contortions than a quart of spoiled milk. Aside from having to dump out once good wine, the cost of the new packaging is much more economical as each box will hold the equivalent of four or five bottles. You can expect to pay $5 to $10 per 750ml of wine that would cost upwards of $15 to $20 if packaged in bottles.

Ryan Sproul, the founder of Black Box Wine discovered premium boxed wine during a tour of European wine regions. Realizing that no such thing existed in the US, his entrepreneurial spirit kicked in and the one time wine merchant is now a winemaker.    Black Box wine has won the attention of the world’s wine judges by winning multiple medals in domestic and international wine competitions for the simple reason of quality. These wines are produced using the same methods as for bottled wine, the only difference is the packaging.

Black Box currently produces chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and a merlot with other exciting varietals planned soon. Many wineries are jumping on the “cask wine” bandwagon including; Banrock Station, Hardys, Delicato, and a “super premium” line from Blackburn to name a few.

We do not expect boxed wines to replace bottles but for the casual wine drinker or those who like convenience, the “cask” is just what you’ve been looking for. 

You may not find a “cask” in its repertoire of offerings but here is an event that is always a hit and will surely have many fine wines and edibles available for sampling.

The Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Fest is returning October 1-3 for its 19^th season. This is the Lake’s premier food and wine festival offering a weekend of culinary festivities, seminars, and demonstrations with enough variety to satisfy everyone. Held at the Village at Squaw Valley this is an opportunity to join celebrity chefs and winemakers while you enjoy food from the best restaurants in Tahoe. Purchase your tickets early as this event normally sells out quickly. Visit www.MyTahoeVacation.com for more information.

Our Picks:

Black Box 2003 Monterey County Chardonnay: Fresh aromas of citrus with notes of pineapple, mineral and oak. Long fresh finish. ($22 3-liter box)
Banrock Station 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia):  Black currant, cherry and spicy oak precede a soft and supple palate. Lingering complex finish of fruit and oak. ($25 3-liter box)