Pool Party Essentials: Sunscreen, Snacks & Boxed Wine

Summer is here!! Finally, we get to jump into that water that has been tempting us and filling our dreams all winter long. But how can we stay hydrated when we are surrounded by concrete and we can’t even open a bottle of champagne?

Never fear…boxed wine is here!

There are many reasons as there are wineries, on why to make wine served from a box versus a bottle. Why was wine put in a bottle in the first place? Because glass lasts forever, it is the best way to store wine to age it. With a cork or cap enclosure, air is prevented from getting into the wine to taint it, and the wine itself does not evaporate out (too much anyway). As the wine ages in the bottle, it softens and becomes more complex. Think of the flavor profile of a green grape versus a sun-dried raisin. In your palette, the green grape offers bright, fresh flavors, whereas the raisin has rich and earthy flavors. Try the 2 side by side and see which flavor profile lingers in your mouth the longest.

Boxed wine vs bottled wine has much the same comparison. The wine in a box is often fresh, fruity, and lively, fermented in stainless steel and brought from the cask to the box, preserving all the fresh fruit flavors. Bottled wine can have more nuances and depth of flavor. Bottled wine is often aged in oak and put into a bottle to preserve the full expression of the grape and the wine made from it.

But we are not talking about savoring a glass of wine with a steak here; we are talking about what to sip on while your legs are in the pool!

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Boxed wine can also be the most cost-effective way to serve wine to a large group.  One box of wine is the equivalent of 4 bottles (about 20 glasses) and usually costs between $13-$45. They come in all varietals from a sweeter Riesling or crisp Sauvignon Blanc to a Red Blend and even a drier style of Cabernet.

The folks at Food Republic have done a great job of evaluating some commonly found (and cost-effective) Red wines in a box to see what is worth drinking and what needs to stay on the shelf.  

Black Box ($20): This brand is one of the more popular Red Blends and for good reason. It has a rich mouthfeel, deep fruit flavors, and is not too sweet. It is a blend of Petite Syrah, Teroldego (that’s for the wine geeks), and Tempranillo. Wine Educators even gave it a solid 82 points (A Good category in their wine rating system), with the Merlot earning 90 points (Moving it into the Great category!) 

Hectare, Cabernet ($13): This single varietal has more of a solid tannic structure than the Black Box blend. The tannins give it a full-bodied feel as well as a drier finish. It has notes of tobacco and black fruits.

Summit, Cabernet ($15): The prettiest wine of them all, this Cabernet has a full aromatic nose and a super smooth finish. It is even fermented in oak for a short time, giving it a rounded spice note. This one drinks the most like the real deal!

https://www.foodrepublic.com/1692513/cheapest-boxed-wine/

In the spirit of sustainability, many smaller wineries are trying their hand with box wines. Check out some of your local wineries to offer something more unique than just the “big box” style.