Jacob’s Creek wine in a box.
Box wines don’t get a good rap in the US. If you went to a party and someone was serving a box wine, they would disguise it by pouring the wine into a decanter. Box wines were always looked upon as subpar and even something to make fun of. (Maybe that view has changed in the years since I’ve lived here?) But in Sweden, box wines are looked at as both a good value and an easy option for carrying around this time of year to the archipelago and to BBQs and picnics. Much like the Swedes themselves, they are practical.
We were at a friends house last night for a BBQ (it’s the season after all) and hostess Marie Louise wanted us to try Jacob’s Creek’s first wine in a box called Three Vines, which is a mix of Shiraz, Grenache and Tempranillo. As Marie Louise is a wine expert who works for Pernod-Ricard, I tend to trust her choices, even when they come in a box. I have to say, this wine was tasty and had a flavorful blend of grapes – it’s definitely a good summer option. You can ask for it at Systembolaget or order it here: vinguiden.
And I have to add one funny story about wine in a box: Robert grew up in Australia where box wines were common. On long field trips on the bus, kids would bring along the emptied and cleaned out “moon bag” or the silver pouch inside the box. Apparently, once these bags were blown up with air, they made great pillows. I love it! Next year I’d like to try Niagara wine tours. Feel like joining me?
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I was always under the impression Americans aren’t great wine consumers and that only a small percentage of the population of the country are regular wine consumers so http://wineintro.com/history/regions/consumption.html this might help explain the apparent snobbishness about wine in a box in the US.
That’s interesting James. I had never thought of that before. You know it’s funny. I am a big wine drinker as are most of my American friends…but by this chart it looks like we are are the minority!
There’s a start up US wine company, Baux Wines (love the name!), that’s launching a high-end wine in designer boxes in the Fall. They’re convinced that Americans are starting to seriously consider box wines and their big environmental advantages. Given everything going on in the Gulf, I think everyone will appreciate a product that needs less oil to get from the vineyard to the table (and given the lower cists in packaging and shipping, you’ll always get better wine for the money when it comes in a box.
Brad,
I also love the Baux name – very funny and punny! Thanks for all the great information, as well. It will be interesting to see if the baux takes off in the US. Are you the American wine guy, by any chance?
Things are changing little by little in the US re: boxed wine and “going green,” in general. Last year, I began to drink an organic boxed wine from Argentina: http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/tetrapak-boxed-malbec-44042308. Boxed wines like this are picking up in NYC: light and easy to carry, environmentally friendly, and no need for a corkscrew : ) And, the wine is good. Quality in a box, makes a big difference! The only boxed wine in OH, when I lived there years ago, was not the best wine, by my palate. We bought it anyway, because of its price point and for picnics or camping. I will be looking for Baux wines!
Though I do recall seeing overpriced Australian box wine in Estonia a couple of years ago and being quite snobbish/indignant at the time. http://jamescharlesobrien.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/100_1468.jpg
Good info on the organic wine, Kezia. Robert would tell you that the Tetra pak is a good thing! And James: too funny!
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