I started my search for good boxed wine about eight years ago. As the only adult in my household, I found that I would often open a bottle and not be able to get back to it for several days. I was wasting wine and money.
“You should just drink more!” people would tell me. Ha, ha! Yes, I should just drink that whole bottle! Moderation is for suckers! Drink up, sister!
The typical price of a bottle I was drinking was $12-15. The average cost of a box of wine is $18-23 and a box holds four bottles.
Alternative packaging is slowly becoming more acceptable in the wine industry. Besides three- and four-liter boxes, you can find tetrapaks and cans at nearly all grocery stores and many wine shops. At some restaurants, you can get a glass of wine on tap. People are buying and drinking wine in these alternative ways or they wouldn’t continue to be offered.
Here’s the thing, there is plenty of subpar wine to be found in all forms of packaging. And, if you want to get on board with me, good wine, too.
After years of searching and tasting, I now have four boxed wines that I call my “house” wines because they are always tapped and ready to drink or cook with. All of these wines are available at Pete’s Market on Eastlake.
1. La Vielle Ferme Blanc. This Southern Rhone white blend is comprised of Grenche Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Vermentino, and Bourboulenc. The nose is delicate and fresh, a little tart, with hints of light floral and citrus. La Vielle Ferme is a brand of Famille Perrin.
2. Ananto Maceabo. I picked up this wine because 1) Pete’s Market was out of La Vielle Ferme Blanc, 2) the Spanish varietal Maceabo was new to me, and 3) the clerk noted “People seem to like that butterfly wine” (there is a butterfly on the box). Maceabo is light, well-balanced, and easily drinkable – and in this case, organically grown. Imported from Spain by Sierra Norte.
3. La Vielle Ferme Rosé. This rosé is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah. You can buy it in a bottle for $8.99 or you can get a box (reminder: four bottles) for $18.99. That’s my kind of math. The Reverse Wine Snob is a fan of this rosé, saying “Just lightly sweet and with good acidity, this is just a well done, all-around rosé. It makes a great pick to buy by the box if you drink a lot of rosé. The wine ends with a bit of salty minerality and lingering tart fruit on the dry, surprisingly long finish.”
4. Cote du Rhone Vignes des Lumiere. This Southern Rhone Red is a Grenache (70%) and Syrah (30%) blend. It has a good mouthfeel, is fruity but not overly so, has some spice, and is medium-bodied. It is produced by Domaine Le Close des Luminères and imported from France.
Drink the wine that fits your life. Drink what tastes good to you. Drink a fancy bottle on Tuesdays if that’s what you want. The packaging doesn’t define your enjoyment – you do.
Cheers!