Recently, in order to try and save a bit of dosh in these uncertain times, I started buying plonk-in-a-box, specifically the 3 liter Corbett Canyon Pinot Noir, which goes for ten bucks at the local Total Bev.
I must say that I am taking a keen, almost perverse, delight in this switch. Not only am I slashing my wine expenditure by about 75%, I find that for an ordinary evening’s swill the stuff really isn’t all that bad. I haven’t yet decided whether I like the taste because of the cheapness or in spite of it.
8 comments
Comments feed for this article
January 22, 2009 at 3:24 pm
The Abbot
I’ve almost stopped drinking wine completely. For economy, I tend to go with Blackstone. Mondavi’s Woodbridge line I use for cooking, though I’m not above drinking the occasional glass as I cook.
Wine got me into food, and I’ve been doing so much cooking that the earlier hobby has almost gone by the wayside. I’m amazed by the economies that can be achieved in the food budget through doing a few hours of prep each week — breaking down a whole chicken, then for instance — it’s very economical. Also gives me knife-work practice for the coming zombie apocalypse.
January 22, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Jordana
I’ve been buying the BotaBox and Boho boxed wines for awhile and am rather enjoying them. The economy of it is nice, but what I really like is the ability to just use what I want at a time.
January 22, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Anchovy
I’ve bought this wine several times–it’s surprisingly respectable, considering the price and its slightly dubious Macedonian origin, but it’s still a rather sad little Pinot Noir. I don’t mind that, since I can drink almost anything, but the Merlot and the Pinot Grigio (lately in a combination with Chenin Blanc) are the same price and are better representatives of their grapes.
January 22, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Robbo
Anchovy – I have this mental image of a small bottle sitting all alone on a doorstep somewhere, tears quietly streaming down its label.
January 22, 2009 at 8:39 pm
The Abbot
Pinot Grigio is something I have been dabbling in a little lately, too. What’s funny is that California Pinot Grigios to me tend to be very bland, but Italian PG’s from the Veneto or from Friuli-Venezia-Giulia are a different animal entirely — and every winery, seemingly every bottle is different. They’ve been a real revelation for me. Can’t beat them with chicken or fish.
The other whites I’ve been experimenting with are Gewurztraminers. To use an analogy, if a Riesling is the girl you’re dating, the Gewurztraminer is her complicated older sister whose been to art school and smokes clove cigarettes.
January 22, 2009 at 8:53 pm
NOVA Curmudgeon
The current extended family favorite is Reserve Grand Veneur — Alain Jaume & Fils vinobles (winery) – a Cote du Rhone that comes in 5 liter boxes. It has been heartily approved by my brother – in – law who is well versed in the art of the grape. But thats another story.
January 22, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Anchovy
My favorite Italian PG’s are from the Valdadige, but they’re not cheap enough to drink every day. It’s sometimes hard to conceive that the Alsatian and Oregonian Pinot Gris is the same grape, elevated into an even higher price range.
The other white wine of Friuli, Tocai Friulano (or whatever they’re calling it nowadays–Hungary objected to the Tocai part), is also nice if you can find it. For every day I’m satisfied with The Box PG.
My wife and I have a tradition of drinking a fine Alsatian Gewurz on New Year’s Day with a spicy cornbread, sausage and blackeyed pea casserole. The combination is superb.
January 27, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Sarah G.
Here is a toungue in cheek solution to your wine needs:
http://www.usbwine.com