Occasionally we get things in to review and generally I wouldn’t be the one writing about wine but I was fascinated about the most interesting aspect of what we received in this box…the packaging. I know it might be odd that a Southern based food blog would be talking about packaging, but I suddenly saw a sustainble future for wine. A future that I hope other vineyards will get behind, it just will take a certain shift in stigma and hopefully more folks willingness to find a place for a cardboard bottles of wine on their counters.
Thanks to the folks from Underdog Wine Merchants they gave us the opportunity to sample some new wines in some interesting new packaging referred to as the Ocatavin Home Wine Bar. I must admit that I don’t normally fall for marketing speak, or gimmicks. In this case this particular box wine is being marketed as a winebar in a box. This is their version of box wine, that has a good shelf life and will stay fresh because of the vacuum packed bag they use on the wine. So how did it work?
Great! The wine stays fresh, and because it has a little spout it’s convient to have a small glass of wine without worrying about wasting a bottle of wine because you’ve popped the cork. Which brings me to where I see the future of these box wines. Because they stay fresh, you could potentially have several quality box wines open such that you have options always available, one glass at a time, always fresh. Not to mention it keeps wine from being wasted after its been opened and spoiled from oxidation or the dread cork problems that have plagued wines for centuries. Another huge perk is that these box wines are much more environmentally friendly, less fragile and more affordable. Whether it’s marketing speak or not, there is potential in the home wine bar, but first consumers must get past the box stigma.
I would love to see more vineyards experimenting with packageing like this, especially if it can bring even better prices and wines in bulk. Imagine if we could get a case of wine by volume, in a box, that would last a year in a small box. A box wine that you could keep in your pantry and pour a glass any time. Maybe some day. I think more people could get behind that. Stay Hungry Y’all!
-The Hungry Southerner
The Hungry Southerner 
2nd boxed wine post, I’m noticing a trend!
I love looking at wine bottles and noticing all of the beautiful and witty labels, I think that this packaging delivers that same satisfaction.
In my opinion, it is hard to call wine from Spain being consumed in Georgia sustainable…no matter the packaging.
How the grapes are grown, where the wine is produced in relation to the grapes being grown and ultimately where the wine is to be consumed, and packaging all play an important part. Packaging least of all.
Buying local wines produced with the fewest and safest inputs possible then packaged in returnable/reusable vessels are the only sustainable options that exceed any marketing fluff.
Sorry for the rant from the brewer/marketer/local food advocate.
I agree but the post isn’t about Spanish wine. My point was about the benefits of the packaging. We are huge advocates of shopping locally. I think maybe give the post another read. I would love to see local wineries packaging their wines in better sustainable boxes etc that’s all.
I know the post is not about Spanish wine. It was just a general comment on the wines being touted as sustainable that come from far-off lands (not directly aimed at your post). In those cases, boxes are an improvement due to space and weight.
I appreciate you calling attention to the un-sustainability of 1-time-use heavy glass bottles. For most local wineries, boxes do not usually make a good option due to equipment investments required to fill them.
Personally I like this option: http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-09/vending-vino-volume-frances-self-serve-kiosks-sell-cheaper-greener-wine
Screw caps used to be a sign of low-quality wine. I had a $60 bottle the other night with a screw cap. There’s still a perception of quality based on packaging in the wine world (and beer…Oskar Blues and Butternuts are fighting that with canned craft beer).
I think there will be a very long, uphill battle before we start seeing some really quality boxed wines come down the pipeline. Granted, the quality has improved a lot (I’ve drank some stuff that’s WAY better than Franzia). Curious to see what happens…