Drinking Inside the Box

Jessica Yadegaran, writing for the Contra Costa Times, was illustrating the advantages of the new wave of "wine-in-a-box." What caught my attention was that out of five examples of good wines available in this format, two of them were "casks" from the Central Coast.

Our pal, the Wine Whisperer, has distilled the advantages of box wine into his own Top 10.

10. Stacks in fridge easily
9. Doesn't break when there's an "ooops."
8. You get three litres of premium wine for as little $15.
7. Avoids the whole screwcap vs. cork issue.
6. 55% less carbon footprint (replaces the material and shipping weight of four bottles).
5. On your next trip to Australia, you'll already be in sync (over 50% of sales in the Land Down Under).
4. Inner pouch collapses as wine is consumed helping to preserve freshness.
3. The inner pouch comes out making it handy for backpacking or relaxing in the park with your homies.
2. Lots more branding and identity space for graphics, website url's, crossword puzzles, etc.
1. Gives a whole new meaning to "half in the bag."

So here's what Jessica had to say:
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On a recent camping trip to Stinson Beach, I realized how cumbersome the wine life can be. I'd traveled light, but my bottles were weighing me down. There's just something about thick glass that doesn't do well in dirt or sand, let alone on five-mile hikes.

Alas, it was the perfect opportunity to enjoy the onslaught of premium boxed wines currently on the market. I prefer the Australian term, casks, for these square offerings, even though they don't resemble casks in the slightest. But the Aussies know what they're doing: 50 percent of all wine sold in Oz comes out of a box.

And why not? Boxed wines are shatter-free and perfect for picnics and poolsides. And they are guaranteed value, especially in these economic tough times. For $15 to $25, you get three liters at a carbon footprint that is 55 percent smaller than the four bottles it replaces, and the wine lasts for at least one month, as opposed to one day, because it is sealed inside an oxygen-tight pouch. So it makes sense that sales of premium boxed wines have increased by 75 percent in recent years.

But how do they taste? Pretty darn good. When choosing one, make sure you go with a recent vintage (these wines are not meant for aging) and reliable producer that sources grapes from a reputable region. Non-vintage blends work, too, as long as you know you're getting a Central Coast Chardonnay or a Shiraz from southeastern Australia.favorite boxed wines, just in time for your August barbecues, picnics and beach trips. It's too late for me, but if you hit the camping trail, remember: You can take the wine pouch out of the box and carry it in your backpack. Puncture. Squirt. Savor.

Boho Vineyards Chardonnay: This Central Coast Chardonnay is medium in body with tropical aromas of pineapple and coconut and a toasty vanilla flavor. Around $20. Try it with herb roasted chicken salad.

Black Box Cabernet Sauvignon: This Paso Robles Cab hides its size with a smooth and easy finish. It begins with aromas of blackberry and ripe olives and ends on chocolate-covered cherries. Tannins are chewy, so slap this against a flank steak sandwich. About $20.

Reach Jessica Yadegaran at 925-943-8155 or jyadegaran@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Read her wine blog at www.ibabuzz.com/corkheads.

www.winebusiness.com