Did you know that boxed wines are having a moment? But can they really compete with bottled wines? We’re about to find out!
Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie.
Great to be back with you! I’m here to help us think outside the box – and to drink inside of it.
Natalie, many of us remember boxed wines from college days, and not fondly. What’s changed?
Everything! Don’t think of these as Chateau Cardbordeaux. They’re actually one of the fastest growing categories in the liquor store with premium boxed wines are driving the growth. In fact, there’s even an international competition for boxed wines held in France – the spiritual home of wine tradition. Mon dieu, sacrilège! The quality has improved dramatically, and I’ve brought some excellent examples for you to try today.
To prove your point, you’re going to have us taste these wines without knowing which is the boxed wine and which is the bottled as you’ve shuffled them around. We’re going to guess which is which. While we taste the white wines, tell us a bit about them.
La Vieille Ferme Luberon Blanc AOC
France – Boxed Wine 4 litres
La Vieille Ferme or “old farm” from France was recently declared the “It Wine” by Bon Appetit magazine. It’s been getting a lot of attention from influencers on social media calling it the “chicken wine” referring to the illustration on the box. Obviously, that’s easier to say than La Vieille Ferme.
This fresh, crisp white wine offers aromas of green apple, lemon zest, and white flowers. The palate is vibrant with notes of pear and mineral freshness. I’d pair this with a light-as-air citrus-kissed poached salmon salad with tender baby greens, crisp cucumber ribbons, and warm quinoa tossed in a lemony vinaigrette.
XOXO Pinot Grigio Chardonnay
Canada – Bottled Wine 750 ml
We also have a bottled white wine blend of Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay that’s in a similar price point on a per litre basis, so we’re comparing apples to apples, or in this case grapes.
This bottle brings together the best of both varietals with bright citrus notes, golden apple, and subtle tropical fruit. The finish is clean and refreshing. I’d pair this with a delicate herb-roasted sea bass served with steamed asparagus tips and a light lemon-caper sauce that perfectly complements the wine’s brightness.
The packaging is quite different from traditional bottles. What are the advantages?
One four-litre box equals more than five regular bottles, so they have half the carbon footprint of bottled wines because they’re lighter to transport and use just one box versus five bottles, caps, and labels. They’re also easier to recycle, they’re biodegradable and create less waste. Reduced packaging also translates to significant savings for you, plus there’s no bottle deposit.
Okay, voting time! With your paddles, do you think wine number one is boxed or bottled?
Let’s move on to an equally trendy category – rosé. What do you have for us?
Peller Family Vineyards Rosé
Canada Boxed Wine 4 litres
I’d like to taste these two rosés that are like summer in a glass with their fresh field strawberry and watermelon notes, with a crisp, mouth-watering finish.
Honest Lot Rosé
Canada
I’d pair these with a Mediterranean-inspired grilled shrimp skewer with charred lemon, fresh herbs, and a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil served on a bed of warm couscous or a pan-seared sesame-crusted tuna, served rare with a light wasabi-ginger vinaigrette and micro greens.
Boxed wine is also perfect for entertaining because it’s so convenient. There’s no risk of accidentally breaking a bottle, you don’t need a corkscrew to get into it and you don’t need to cellar it – they’re best consumed young and I am referring to the wine not the drinker. Plus, there’s no pressure to finish an open bottle, which can encourage moderation. But if you’re really tied up in knots about presentation, here’s an insider tip: just decant the wine into a crystal carafe – no one will know!
Okay, voting time! With your paddles, do you think wine number one is boxed or bottled?
What about red wines? Do they hold up as well in the box format?
Peller Family Vineyards Cabernet Merlot
Canada Boxed Wine 4 litres
The genius is in the bag-in-box technology. The wine stays fresh for up to six weeks after opening because the bag collapses, creating an airtight seal that prevents oxidation. Compare that to a bottle at the same price point, which is best consumed within a day or two of opening.
Try this smooth, medium-bodied red as it delivers rich black cherry and plum flavors with hints of vanilla and spice. I’d pair this with an herb-crusted roasted chicken breast served with roasted rainbow carrots and a light mushroom jus.
By the way, the wine you’re trying from this box was opened a week ago. We poured it this morning.
Now try, or at least sniff, this glass of red wine from a bottle that’s also been open a week. Imagine the compounded impact that would have over six weeks.
Natalie, these suggestions are fantastic! Any final words of wisdom for our viewers?
Here’s a toast: “Life is too short to drink bad wine, but long enough to enjoy good wine from any container!”
Thank you, Natalie! Where can we find you and these wines online?
On Instagram, you can find me posting wine reviews and tips at:
Online, my website is nataliemaclean.com.
Posted with permission of Global News Television.