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By Andrea Eby, Sommelier( ISG)
The holidays are coming and we all know what that means: too many parties and too many bills. Not every occasion you host this season will warrant bottles of your finest wine. Every holiday season, I take a quick trip around the store to stock up on wine that will satisfy my guests without breaking the bank. This year, I am taking inspiration from the Aussies.
The“ Bag-in-Box” Phenomena The Aussies have been experts in the area of good value wine for years now. In our market, boxed wine often suffers from an unfortunate down-market image— not so in Australia. In fact, over 50 per cent of the wine consumed in Australia is sold“ bag-in-box,” and consumers around the globe are jumping on the bandwagon. From the producer point of view, bag-in-box wine is up to 80 per cent less expensive to package and consumers and the environment both benefit from reduced transportation costs. Additionally, the vacuum-sealed pouch ensures that oxidation is kept to a minimum; wine in an open bagin-box format will keep weeks longer than wine in an opened glass bottle. When you need to serve a large number of people, price may be the major motivator and boxed wine can be just the ticket. A typical 3-litre box generally costs far less than the equivalent four standard glass bottles.
Does it taste the same as wine from a bottle? In a word“ yes,” and in a word“ no.” Bag-in-box wine is often crafted in an easy-drinking, approachable style, similar to many wines that you would find throughout the store. Generally, they are designed to be“ crowd-pleaser” wines that you can easily serve to a diverse group of people. These wines are light to medium-bodied and likely will not have been treated to the finest French Oak aging regimes that more expensive wines often undergo. Rest assured, consumers are not satisfied with sub-par product and a winery will not stay in business long if no one buys their wine; producers of boxed wines are no exception. Quality continues to improve and we are beginning to see more wines packaged in alternative formats.
You’ ve come a long way baby … Since bag-in-box wine’ s Australian debut in the 1960s, a great deal has changed in the wine world. Quality, selection, and perception of boxed wines continue to improve and this format now comprises one of the fastest growing segments of wine sales in North America. As the market for these wines continues to grow, so too will the range of varietals and quality levels available. If you are looking to cellar wine, do not ditch your first-class Bordeaux and begin buying futures in boxed wine. Although the wine is sealed in the bag, boxed wine does have a shelf life and most come with a bestbefore date. If you are looking for a wine to put away and drink years later, stick to a glass bottle format. Perhaps the next time you are searching for a wine to accompany all those appies at your holiday soirée, you will take a lesson from the Aussies and pick up a boxed wine. Your palate and your pocketbook will thank you. b
dRINKING INSIdE ThE BOX
As luck would have it, two of my favourite boxed, or cask, wines in the store are made by De Bortoli, third-generation Australian winemakers. These wines are packaged in a convenient 2L size, great to serve at your next get together. Try the Chardonnay with aromas of white peach and a creamy palate rich in melon, fig, and soft oak. If red is more your style, give the Shiraz a shot: aromas of rich berry fruits and subtle oak surround a palate full of plum, berry, and vanilla flavours.
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