Box-o-Wine…1987 Called and They Want Their Wine Back

Due to popular demand from fellow wine drinkers (Toby, this one is for you), I am dedicating this month’s post to boxed wine. However, the boxed Chablis of the 80s is a thing of the past. Boxed wine has made a come back during the past year and has become a hip, new fad amongst wine drinkers. Actually, boxed wine is a good choice if you want to help save the environment. The boxes used are usually recycled (if not,they should be!) and reduce gashouse emissions (and saves money).

Boxed wine will make a great addition to your Super Bowl parties this weekend, so there is no need to bring that jug of Gallo that your grandparents gave you last year for Christmas. The fancy term that the Australians use is “cask” of wine (I guess box sounds too cheap, perhaps?) Boxed wine is slowly losing its “hey, this would make great wine for cheap homemade wine coolers” reputation. I actually sampled some of this new hip boxed wine at a party and I was amazingly surprised.  You can find great deals at BevMo or discounted club stores. If you are feeling adventurous this weekend and want to impress your friends, bring  boxed wine (and leave the jugs at home).

Here are some top brands you might want to sample:

• Henry’s Drive Pillar Box Red Padthaway 2006 (Australia) – Under $10
• Peter Vella Cabernet Sauvignon – Under $12
• Black Box Chardonnay – Under $25

The Ultimate Wine Experience -The Salt Tasting Room, Vancouver, BC

When I was on vacation last month, I experienced the ultimate vino experience at the Salt Tasting Room in Vancouver, BC (Canada). This chic, non-descript tasting room was nestled in a back alley of the Gastown District. Although, there wasn’t anything “back alley” about this amazing wine experience.

I realized I need to trust the wine experts when she threw out the word “rose” (yes, I cringed). However, I was very impressed by the flight of wine that our served perfectly paired with my gourmet cheeses, meats and condiments that I chose. I told my friends that I could die a happy woman after my Salt Tasting Room experience. I was surprised that my favorite wine was a local British Columbia rose called Vie. It tasted like a non-fizzy dry French champagne. It was incredible. My tastebuds were also tantalized with a delicious Australian Pinot Noir and Shiraz. My red wine palate was definitely in vino heaven.

If you ever get the chance to visit Vancouver, BC, add The Salt Tasting Room to your itinerary. It’s an amazing wine experience and for $15 the flights of wine are more than just “samples.” The wait staff definitely know their food and wine pairings

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Red Wine for the Broke and Not so Wine Savvy: Inexpensive Reds that will woo your woman or man!

 

What happens when you’re on a budget and you just found out that the woman or man you’re dating loves wine and you don’t know anything about wine?  Maybe you’re at a restaurant and your hottie date asks you to make the wine selection when the waiter hands you the wine list.

 

Let me end the myth right now.  You have been under the misconception that a good bottle of wine has to be expensive.  That’s false. I’ve learned that even those who aren’t making the six figure salary (including myself–a poor, struggling writer) can still afford a fabulous wine and youd don’t have to spend a lot of money.  Here are some of my favorite red wines that are under $10.  I tend to shop for my wine at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods Market, Cost Plus Market Place, Beverages and More and sometimes the club membership stores (Costco and Sam’s Club) carry great, inexpensive selections.  I drink wine that tastes good and I don’t sit around sniffing the bouquet (ok, sometimes I do).  Prices vary between stores but they are comparable.

I’m a sucker for a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon and I love my red wine.  “Two Buck Chuck”, as its affectionately dubbed because of its $1.99 price tag, produces decent wines for the low, low price pf $1.99.  My favorite Charles Shaw wines is their Cabernet Sauvignon.  It’s one of my favorite “daily drinking,” post-work day wines.  I always have a bottle of Two Buck Chuck on my person (I mean, in my household).  If you need to buy cases of wine for a party or event and don’t want to spend a lot of money, Charles Shaw (carried exclusively by Trader Joe’s) is a good way to go for inexpensive, good wine in bulk.

I’ve mentioned my obsession with Australian wines.  If you want to impress your man or woman, an Australian Shiraz will win his or her wine-drinking heart.  Australia is one of the top-producing wine regions in the world and is known for its excellent Shiraz.  By far, Rosemount Estate is one of my all time favorite, inexpensive Australian wines.  You can find Rosemount Estate in most stores as it’s become a very popular and well-liked Australian wine here in the U.S  I love their Shiraz/Cabernet blend (I’ve found it ranging from $5.99 to $6.99).  It’s smooth and subtle and for those non-red wine drinkers it’s a good introduction to Shiraz.  I’ve found Rosemount on sale at the grocery stores so keep your eyes on the wine sales in the wine sections of your local supermarket.  I’ve noticed that a lot of the chain stores are carrying a lot of Australian wines.

I’m a huge fan of the Sonoma County wineries.  I’ve been a long time drinker of Ravenswood (a Sonoma County winery).  You can’t go wrong bringing over a bottle of Ravenswood (as it’s been a long-established and popular winery in the Napa Valley/Sonoma County area).  The Ravenswood ”Vintners Blend” Zinfandel is a little less costly compared to the Sonoma Zinfandel.  I’ve seen some of the major chain supermarkets carry the “Vintners Blend” Zinfandel for around $6 to $7.

These are just a few wines that won’t break the bank and will impress the wine connoisseur in your life.  Now if they ask you to swirl and spit, you might want to start reading about wine tasting tips.  Grab that bottle of Shiraz and get ready to woo!