In my perfect dream world, I would live close to a good, not-too-fancy winery where I could stop by every week or so to fill up a few glass bottles of wine from a large communal casket. This would be my everyday house wine, the wine I would drink while making dinner, as well as serve on all but the most elaborate of occasions. A good, decent wine that doesn't cost a bundle, with the recycling of the bottles and the visit to the winery an added bonus.
This situation doesn't (currently) exist but I've come up with a substitute that will get me by in the meantime: Big House Red (or White) Box Wine.
Big House Wine Company is located in Soledad, CA just a stone's throw from a State Correctional Facility, hence the incarceration theme that runs through all of the winery's offerings. They make wines by the bottle but it's their boxed version that has caught my attention. I keep a box each of Big House Red and Big House White in the house at all times. Why? Let me count the ways.
Taste: These aren't fancy wines, or ground-breaking, innovative wines either but they are really good for everyday drinking. The white is dry and slightly floral with a nice crisp finish. The red is juicy and slightly spicy, with a touch of fruit. Both go beautifully with almost everything I cook and eat.
Price and Availability: At $19.95 per 3L box (equivalent of four 750ml bottles) it's a bargain. Here in the Bay Area, it's possible to find them in several grocery stores, including Safeway and both Berkeley Bowl locations. BevMo caries them as well.
Packaging/Eco considerations: No glass bottles mean less shipping weight. I'm not crazy about the plastic bladder but weighed against the impact of four glass bottles, it comes out ahead. Plus the plastic bladder shrinks after each pour, thus keeping the exposure to air at a minimun. I've never had the occasion to test this, but apparently the wine will keep for six weeks once opened. The cardboard container is easily recycled.
The spigot takes some getting used to, but once you've figured it out, it's easy. And for those occasions where plopping a box of wine in the middle of the table won't do, I've acquired a few lovely wine decanters.
I like the frugality and practicality of my Big House Box Wine. It may not be the most romantic/aesthetic solution but in some ways, for my life at least, it's the most down to earth and honest response to the times I'm living in. And when an occasion does warrant an actual bottle of wine, it's that much more special and merrier by contrast.
For More Information: Visit the Big House Wine Company's website.
Do you drink boxed wine? What's your preferred brand?
Related: Octavin
(Image: Big House Wine Company)
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I also like the Target Savignon Blanc. People make fun of me all the time for drinking boxed wine until they actually try it.
I second the Target wine. My friend and I bought some of their little boxes on a whim once and it was pretty tasty!
Target as in the big box store?! what?! will wonders never cease?
I'm glad to see praises for box wine. In Alaska, we can't recycle glass (I know! But we have to ship it, and it's too heavy), so any alternatives to glass bottles are welcome in my home. We've been getting soda kegs of beer from our local brewhouses and buying box wine for a while. Perfectly good for most occasions.
Oh, and favorite brands? We have been buying Bota Box, but will certainly be looking for BHR. Bota Box does have a red blend that is pretty darn good.
The Bota Box Pinot Gris is pretty tasty, too.
Bota Box Malbec is delicious, and sells around my hometown of Boise for about $15.99.
That's the same price of the Black Box wine when we get it at Costco, and it also contains the equivalent of four bottles. We've really been enjoying it as our standard house wine. The local liquor store sells it for $24, but they carry multiple varietals. Costco carries the Cab. and sometimes the Merlot.
Whoa, land of 10,000 Targets here and I had no idea they had wine. Probably because they can't legally sell it in their stores here, but that's crazy. Target wine. I'll have to tell my friends.
The frugality and eco-footprint of this certainly appeals to me, though I may have to kick up my wine intake to make it work...
Bota Box Shiraz and Merlot are my faves! The entire line is great for the price (16.99 or so), but the Zin is a bit disappointing
I've never tried BHW but I am a fan of the target Pinot grigio and the red sangria. White sangria too sweet.
Yeah Boxed, wine. Yeah. Love these convenient and surprisingly lovely options.
When I was a wine buyer we had a distributor bring in ten boxes of Cuvee Stephie red. I bought one for the restaurant and one for my house and loved them. The convenience and lack of loss from oxidation was oh so nice. Apparently, of the ten boxes brought in, mine were the only two not to spring a leek. That was the last of that.
I am SOOOO jealous. In Quebec a single bottle of Big House is $17!!! It's my favourite easy drinking table wine but it's too expensive here to buy regularly (in Ontario it's only $12 but STILL). $20 for 3L!? Heaven!
Thanks for the suggestion! Has anyone tried the Trader Joe's boxed red? I can't remember what it's called...
I'm in Ontario and we have a 'wine region' located here.I didn't know the LCBO was cheaper than Quebec.I envy ,in Quebec,they are able to purchase at regular type store.We have wine shops here that only seem to carry local in my area.
.I'd be less than honest if I told you I had any preference for most Ontario region wines.They do produce many boxed wines.They are hit and miss.Same for table wines.The branding changes daily.I find that the Ontario wine region seems to have a strangle hold on innovative and cheap packaging.I don't see much here offered that isn't local produced.Most import is bottled.The prices reflect this for wines produced outside Ontario.
I would buy a boxed wine if I liked it.I'm not a snob about such things.I'd only make so many allowances for taste though.If it tastes great and the price is right...I'm sold!I've been making a Riesling at 'brew your own' and splitting the cost with my sister.We recycle the bottles through the brew shop.This isn't any fancier or expensive,for us, than buying a great wine in a box.I wish I had more ready made 'box' type goods to choose from available to me.Alcohol is very expensive here.
Boxed wine is beneficial for single people. The vacuum created by the bag keeps oxygen from the wine and thus it doesn't go bad like an open bottle of wine with a stopper.
I second the praises for the Bota Box wines.
@PLEIOVN - The Trader Joe's boxed red (specifically the shiraz) is wonderful. So scoop up a box for your enjoyment.
The irony for these praises of boxed wine is that I harshed my parents in the 70's for their boxed wine parties. I am eating my words today.
@ JAXLBC- Oh my,so true.I remember teasing my parents that they should just punch a stick through the box,freeze it and use as a finger food at their next gathering.I'm eating my words today also.When I was a kid I thought the boxes were sooooo classy.NOT!Now I'm home brewing.I'm my parents and worse.
I laughed so hard.Thanks, and my sister will thank you, when I tell her about your comment.