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Boxing Sideways

When I visited Portland for a long weekend in June, I spent a good part of my time there helping finish my friend's box of Franzia wine (slogan: "The world's most popular wine").

Boxed-wine pluses:

  • The box is recyclable (the bag that contains the wine...not so much).
  • New boxed-wine technology (i.e., new and improved plastic bags) keeps the wine good for a month after you take your first sip.
  • Paper and plastic are way harder to break and less heavy than glass, so boxed wine takes much less energy and packaging to ship.

Now we just need what Sideways did for Pinot to happen for boxed wine so that it's more acceptable to drink, prompting finer winemakers to sell by the box. Then again, maybe the Pinot-esque boxed-wine zeitgeist is already upon us, seeing as "the world's most popular wine" doesn't come in glass bottles.

-Toshio...off to w(h)ine about 6 a.m.-boot-camp-related exhaustion...

Posted by: ddiprima on 07/09/2008
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Chris  on July 09, 2008 at 01:18 AM 1
Recycled boxes and other paperlike products - but from what input material you may well ask? Well, see some of the products collected together on www.ghastlygifts.com.
Evelyn  on July 09, 2008 at 05:31 AM 2
The Black Box boxed wines are certainly drinkable. They make for decent table wines. They're definitely a step up from the majority of other boxed wines. I'd love to see an increase in higher end alternatives.
kamila Harkavy  on July 09, 2008 at 07:10 AM 3
a decent boxed wine: Black Swan Shiraz I served it to several friends w/o telling them it was a boxed wine. After each of them said they liked it, I told them and watched their faces. Each was willing to put aside the notion that only bad wine comes in boxes. Yet another advantage, not mentioned in your Bite, is that the wine stays fresh and doesn't oxidize so you can enjoy one glass at a time over several weeks and each one tastes fresh.
Danielle  on July 09, 2008 at 07:40 AM 4
I admit it... I have found a boxed wine that I really like! It's called Bandit and it is made by Three Thieves. I've only tried the Pinot Grigio. It is perfect for the summer - light and refreshing (and the fun little box makes it perfect for the beach). There is even an interesting thing to read on the side of the wine box about how much better the box wine is for the environment.
amanda  on July 09, 2008 at 08:14 AM 5
Powers Winery from Columbia Valley, Wash. makes a great boxed wine called "Power Box" Cabernet...the bag is recyclable and biodegradable too!
P  on July 09, 2008 at 08:43 AM 6
I agree with Evelyn--black box is not half bad and available pretty much everywhere (I can even find it here in Utah). Also, for more high end try French Rabbit. It comes in "single bottle size" cardboard containers. Good reds and great for camping trips.
April Jergens  on July 09, 2008 at 09:01 AM 7
If you like Cabs, try "Wine 4 Grilling" from Cost Plus World Market. I haven't tried the other varieties. It is a far cry from Franzia or any of those old school boxed wines. I love it.
Kimberly  on July 09, 2008 at 09:34 AM 8
French rabbit makes a nice Pinot Noir and will be organic soon, perhaps the first...try it.
Lisa Wilkerson  on July 09, 2008 at 09:44 AM 9
I haven't personally tried Hardy's box wine but it was reviewed recently and is supposed to be better than Black Box. Cab is best bet in the Hardy's line of wine. Hardy's 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon SE Australia Smells like fresh fruit, rather than chemicals, with bright raspberries, blueberries, black cherry, earthy leather and coffee flavors. Refreshing acidity on the finish. Well structured and by far the crowd favorite.
Christine Gardner  on July 09, 2008 at 10:07 AM 10
I like Pinot Evil. I got it mostly because I thought it had a clever name, but it's actually quite good. http://corkd.com/wine/view/51777-Pinot_Evil_in_a_box
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