Wine in Box is on a Roll!

Posted on January 10, 2008 | Permalink

By Lane Casteix

Back in September 2007 I wrote about how consumers are open to alternative wine packaging, specifically wine in box instead of the bottle. Well, turns out wine in box sales have shot up.

What was considered the domain of cheap wines has suddenly gained some credibility and viability. This article describes how boxed wines have become more acceptable despite their stigma with the enological elite, and sales have jumped 44 percent!

Several box wines are rated in the article. I have personally tried the Black Box Shiraz (not the merlot) and the Delicato Pinot Grigio, and I can say they are quite drinkable, considering the net cost for the 3 liter box, which contains 4 bottles of wine, works out to about $4-$5 a bottle. I am tasting some Hardy's wine in bottles to see if I want to spring for the larger box.

The article points out that convenience, better wine in the boxes, and better technology to extend their longevity are contributors to this trend, but representatives of The Wine Group of San Francisco believe the real driver is probably "green", as boxed wines contribute 85 percent less waste to landfills and 55 percent fewer carbon emissions to the atmosphere.

That may have some truth to it, but I can personally say the two reasons that drove me to boxed wine was convenience and that I was able to find drinkable wines in a box. IMHO, emotion and personal gratification always trump the facts, and the facts are used merely to support the buying decision.