Thinking Inside The Box
By: Al Hernandez

Over the past year, several wine makers have decided to embrace screw caps and synthetic corks. Now some winemakers like Black Box Wines from Walnut Creek, California and Hardy’s of Australia are thinking inside the box. It may be a surprise to many American wine drinkers but a surprising number of wine consumers around the country already buy their wine in a box. According to the 2001 World Wine Report, 18 percent of wine sold in the United States comes out of a box and even larger numbers in other countries including Australia who leads the world with a 52 percent market share of Bag-in-box sales, by volume.

There are several benefits to those winemakers and consumers who choose to embrace the box. The box, or "bag-in-box" system, is technologically quite sophisticated and keeps the wine fresh for weeks. Black Box Wines uses the Scholle three-layer system, designed to eliminate oxidation. These boxes give consumers the flexibility to enjoy a glass of wine, without having to open an entire bottle or finish a bottle over the course of a few days. We taste tested the Black Box Chardonnay (see review below) over a 3-week period and found it stay fresh throughout the entire period of time.
Boxes are cheaper to produce, giving consumers a higher quality wine for a cheaper price. Black Box Wines Chardonnay works out to approximately $6.25 per bottle for their 3-liter box (4-750 ml bottles). The box is designed to provide convenient way for the casual wine drinker to enjoy a quality glass of wine without having to consume an entire bottle. Boxes are cheaper to pack, ship and store, and easier to display on retail shelves. The box's sheer cubic efficiency is a hidden benefit. They are eco-friendly both the cardboard and bag are recyclable
But no matter the advantages of boxed wines one of the most important things to consumers is the taste and quality of the wine. We reviewed both the Black Box Wines 2001 Napa Valley Chardonnay and the Hardy’s Australian Shiraz.

Black Box Wines
2001 Napa Valley Chardonnay
$24.95 per Box ($6.25 per bottle)
The Vine Times Rating
3 out 5 Glasses
(Well Recommended)

A well-balance chardonnay with bright crisp apple, pineapple and citrus flavors is the perfect addition to any summertime picnic or barbeque. Black Box Chardonnay is light in color but has plenty of character. Made from 100% Napa Valley chardonnay grapes, the fruit is approximately 40 percent Carneros, 45 percent Rutherford and 15 percent Oakville appellations.

Hardy’s Australian Shiraz
The Vine Times Rating
3 out of 5 Glasses
(Well Recommended)

Tasters will enjoy a juicy blackberry and raspberry fruit bouquet with light pepper and toasted oak nuances, rich plum, berry and chocolate round out the flavors of this value priced Shiraz.