These tough economic times may just be the ‘greatest hour’ for boxed wines

This one’s for Ray.

He’s a dear friend who keeps pestering — uh, I mean encouraging — me to explore boxed wines.

So, Ray, here are some recent observations of boxed wines.

They are courtesy of Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg at The Washington Post:

It’s tough enough to convince wine lovers that screw-cap closures are better than the traditional corks; unscrewing a bottle doesn’t inspire the same poetry as popping a cork. But convincing them that boxed wines are not inferior is even tougher, which might account for the lack of coverage.

However, because boxed wines are one of the fastest-growing segments of the wine market (up more than 40 percent over a year ago, according to the Nielsen Co.), that should change.

How good can a boxed wine be? Sipped at a party in 2005, a 2004 Dtour Macon ($37 for a three-liter cylinder, equal to about $9.25 a bottle) left Page and Dornenburg  “shocked by the quality that came out of this cardboard tube and the vacuum-sealed bag.”

Given the economic times, Ray may be on to something.

I did a quick survey on the Wine News Review aptly named Smarter Wine Search tool and came up with a couple helpful recent articles that include boxed-wine recommendation among a slew of other affordable picks:

  • CBSNews.com opines, “This just might be box-wines’ greatest hour!” The article serves up two three-liter selections: one from California (Black Box Chardonnay 2006, $28) and the other from Australia (Hardy’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, $24).
  • The San Jose Mercury News suggests the non-vintage Corbett Canyon Chardonnay, about $10 for three liters, translating to about $2.50 for a 750-milliliter bottle.

Thanks for the idea, Ray!

Experts’ weekend wine bargains: From ‘succulent peach’ to French ‘gem’

Comparing the picks: A survey of recent selections from popular wine experts, spotlighting bargains and best values among other choices at their websites.

Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley (Washington) Riesling 2007:
Paul Lukacs, Wine Review Online — An “amazing value,” it’s described as “off dry” but offering “succulent peach, apricot and citrus fruit flavors without ever seeming saccharine or sappy.” $10

Concha Y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Central Valley Casillero del Diablo Reserve 2006:
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Online — “Soft, with a straightforward mix of dark cherry, sweet toast and herb notes.” $14-$18

2006 Domaine du Tariquet, Vin de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne, France:
Jerry Shriver, USA TODAY — “The full name of this gem from southwestern France may be a mouthful but this graceful wine slips easily down your throat.” About $13

Inama, Vin Soave 2006 Soave Classico:
Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com — “The nose is certainly vibrantly lemony but what really distinguishes it from more ordinary Soaves is its whoosh of real, ripe fruit concentration on the mid palate yet with no sacrifice of either delicacy or refreshment value.” $10.99

MacRostie 2006 Carneros Chardonnay:
Edward Deitch, MSNBC.com — Fresh and sophisticated, “a superb value, revealing lush fruit combined with exceptional balance.” About $23

Tip: Print out this list and bring it to your local wine shop — even if a specific favorite isn’t available, ask the salesperson to recommend something similar. Or try browsing the latest wine reports from this custom collection of hundreds of news websites — filtered for bargains, continuously updated, and quick and easy to scan:

  • Reds (from Beaujolais to Zinfandel)
  • Whites (from Chablis to Sauvignon Blanc)
  • Organic (red, white, in between)

To hit closer to home, try WNR’s Smarter Wine Search tool and see what wine finds columnists and wine experts may be writing about in your area. Once there, just type in your city and state (within quotation marks, as in, "Napa, California"), to get results ranked by relevance.

Or scroll down to the bottom of this page and dig into top wine lists from a variety of sources. You’ll also find links to everything from a food-pairing database to websites for comparative wine ratings.

The Web is about community. So take a moment to comment about your experience with a particular wine — to help steer others to or away from it. And of course, have a great weekend!

Experts’ weekend wine bargains: From hearty Cab to ‘Wasabi’ white

Comparing the picks:

A survey of recent selections from popular wine experts, spotlighting bargains and best values among other choices at their websites.

This weekend’s choices range from an Argentinian Cab and a “Wasabi” white to a run-to-buy Montepulciano and food-friendly French Sauvignon Blanc.

2006 Terrazas De Los Andes Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza, Argentina:
Natalie MacLean, Nat Decants — A hearty Cab that boasts dark berry fruit, earth and spice. “Fantastic red for the money! Full-bodied with delicious aromas of black plums and chocolate.” Her best-value red. $13.85

2006 Now & Zen “Wasabi” White Wine, Alsace, France:
Jerry Shriver, USA TODAY — The headline on this selection basically says it all: “Ohmmm ahhhh.” It’s a “touches-all-bases blend” with a remarkable range of characteristics from Gewurztraminer and Pinot Blanc to Riesling and Sylvaner. Worth getting if only out of curiosity. About $11

Valenosi, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Abruzzo, Italy) “Quattro Mani” 2006:
Michael Franz, Wine Review Online — “Run, don’t walk, to buy this wine! I can’t remember a better $10 red.” Especially if you’re looking for fruity opulence. $10

Domaine Galetis 2004 “De La Clauso”, Sauvignon Blanc, Vin de Pays d’Oc:
Beverage Testing Institute — The “best buy” selection among a tempting list of French whites, it presents a “dryish medium to full body of tart, tangy, Meyer lemon, melon, and ruby grapefruit flavors with a long, mouthwatering finish.” And food-friendly, too. $11.99

Banrock Station Sémillon-Chardonnay South Eastern Australia 2006:
Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator — “Light, dry and fruity” … and you may pick up some grapefruit tones “as the wine lingers.” $6

Tip: Print out this list and bring it to your local wine shop — even if a specific favorite isn’t available, ask the salesperson to recommend something similar. Or try browsing the latest wine reports from this custom collection of hundreds of news websites — filtered for bargains, continuously updated, and quick and easy to scan:

  • Reds (from Beaujolais to Zinfandel)
  • Whites (from Chablis to Sauvignon Blanc)
  • Organic (red, white, in between)

To hit closer to home, try WNR’s Smarter Wine Search tool and see what wine finds local columnists and wine experts may be writing about in your area. Once there, just type in your city and state (within quotation marks, as in, "Napa, California"), to get results ranked by relevance.

Or scroll down to the bottom of this page and dig into top wine lists from a variety of sources. You’ll also find links to everything from a food-pairing database to websites for comparative wine ratings.

The Web is about community. So take a moment to comment about your experience with a particular wine — to help steer others to or away from it. And of course, have a great weekend!

Experts’ weekend wine bargains: From ‘fantastic’ Chilean to ‘expressive’ Aussie

Comparing the picks: A survey of recent selections from popular wine experts, spotlighting bargains and best values among other choices at their websites.

2005 Viu Manent Reserva Chardonnay Casablanca Valley, Chile:
Natalie MacLean — Winner of the Gold Medal at the 2006 Concours Catad’Or Grand Hyatt Wine Awards, it’s a “fantastic value” from Chile’s cool Casablanca Valley region … “with ample oak and aromas of ripe apples and pears.” Her best value white. $12.95

Château Les Tuileries 2005 Bordeaux Rouge:
Beverage Testing Institute — Sports a garnet violet color with “spicy plum pie, sandalwood, and floral talc aromas.” A best-buy selection. $10.99

Cape Mentelle, Margaret River (Western Australia, Australia) Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot “Trinders” 2003:
Michael Franz — You will not have expected to have paid $18 for this “very concentrated and intense” Australian. “Extremely expressive aromatics start with a big shot of eucalyptus up front.” $18

2006 McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate Shiraz, South Eastern Australia:
Jerry Shriver — Another Australian, this one is a “pleasant, no-brainer burger wine that delivers spicy blackberry flavors and an earthy finish.” Though you might quibble with the body. About $12

Göttelmann, Münsterer Pittersberg Riesling Kabinett trocken 2007 Nahe:
Jancis Robinson — The low-price winner among three (non-Burgundian) 2006 Pinots. “… promises well for the crystalline qualities of the latest vintage.” £9.69

López de Heredia’s Viña Gravonia (white):
Edward Deitch — “Beautifully complex with aromas of cut flowers and butterscotch that are joined in the mouth by pear and lime, vanilla, honey and minerals.” $19

Tip: Print out this list and bring it to your local wine shop — even if a specific favorite isn’t available, ask the salesperson to recommend something similar. Or try browsing the latest wine reports from this custom collection of hundreds of news websites — filtered for bargains, continuously updated, and quick and easy to scan:

  • Reds (from Beaujolais to Zinfandel)
  • Whites (from Chablis to Sauvignon Blanc)
  • Organic (red, white, in between)

To hit closer to home, try WNR’s Smarter Wine Search tool and see what wine finds local columnists and wine experts may be writing about in your area. Once there, just type in your city and state (within quotation marks, as in, "Napa, California"), to get results ranked by relevance.

Or scroll down to the bottom of this page and dig into top wine lists from a variety of sources. You’ll also find links to everything from a food-pairing database to websites for comparative wine ratings.

The Web is about community. So take a moment to comment about your experience with a particular wine — to help steer others to or away from it. And of course, have a great weekend!

Experts’ weekend wine bargains: Fabulous ‘pizza wine’ to best-buy Bordeaux

Comparing the picks: A survey of recent selections from popular wine experts, spotlighting bargains and best values among other choices at their websites.

Banfi, Tuscany (Italy) “Colle Pino” 2005:
Michael Franz — From a producer as adept at making a “stellar” $100-a-bottle Brunello as a “pizza wine” that’s sure to please. “A fabulous buy.” $9

Château Au Grand Paris (Bordeaux Supérieur):
Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher — The best buy among a selection of Bordeaux from the “acclaimed vintage of 2005” that’s just hitting the shelves. “Perennial favorite.” Around $10

2005 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, La Valentina:
Edward Deitch — A “big, dark, fruity” wine that may not have the charm of some Italian cousins but a perfect match for winter meals. “… delicious and interesting.” $13

2006 Meridian Sauvignon Blanc, Central Coast:
Jerry Shriver — A “steely, zesty, almost tart” wine from a producer that’s one of the market’s most reliable. $10

2006 Hayman & Hill Reserve Selection Russian River Valley Chardonnay:
Lynne Char Bennett — With “fresh apple, plus smoky mineral and herbal hints that extend to the palate,” it also offers some interesting aromas. “… good value.” $15

Tip: Print out this list and bring it to your local wine shop — even if a specific favorite isn’t available, ask the salesperson to recommend something similar. Or try browsing the latest wine reports from this custom collection of hundreds of news websites — filtered for bargains, continuously updated, and quick and easy to scan:

  • Reds (from Beaujolais to Zinfandel)
  • Whites (from Chablis to Sauvignon Blanc)
  • Organic (red, white, in between)

To hit closer to home, try WNR’s Smarter Wine Search tool and see what wine finds local columnists and wine experts may be writing about in your area. Once there, just type in your city and state (within quotation marks, as in, "Napa, California"), to get results ranked by relevance.

Or scroll down to the bottom of this page and dig into top wine lists from a variety of sources. You’ll also find links to everything from a food-pairing database to websites for comparative wine ratings.

The Web is about community. So take a moment to comment about your experience with a particular wine — to help steer others to or away from it. And of course, have a great weekend!