Comments on: Box vs bottle blind

By: Wine packaging, glassware, ratings « Psssst! Over Here!

Wine packaging, glassware, ratings « Psssst! Over Here! — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:21:50 +0000

[...] boxed wine vs. bottled: most people can’t seem to tell which is which, from the little bit of reading I’ve [...]

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:35:10 +0000

I’ve tasted the 2007 Grand Veneur CdR from bottle and box back-to-back (although not blind). The bottle had been open for some time (perhaps a day?) andthe wine from the box tasted a bit fresher, but the difference was not huge. It is a very good value in either format.

By: DaleW

DaleW — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:32:33 +0000

The only wine I’ve ever had in both BiB and bottle was one of Brocard’s Bourgognes (either Jurassic or Kimm.), but they weren’t side by side so not really a comparison (I liked both).

I’m a geeky guy who likes trying different things , matching with meal, etc. So no “house wines” for me. But I did recently have the 07 “From the Tank” CdR (Domaine des Estezargues I believe) from BiB, someone who just wants a good food-friendly red to have a glass or two each night would find a bargain there.

By: JP

JP — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:42:24 +0000

You could also try the 2008 Caves de Pomerol/Hugue Beaulieu Picpoul de Pinet from the Languedoc. Same importer as the Grand Veneur – Kysela – so whoever supplied the Veneur CDR will surely have access to this wine too. The BIB picpoul is called “Petit Frog”, but it’s the same wine from the same producer.

By: someone

someone — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:52:28 +0000

I doubt that wine in a box can be stocked without degradation for more than a few years.
It will mostly depend on the materials used for the inside bag.

By: Mike K

Mike K — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:56:01 +0000

I have had both the Grand Veneur CdR and the Picpouls (all from Cave de Pomerols) mentioned in the comments in both box and bottle numerous times…but never together.
My impressions were that I slightly preferred the boxed versions in the case of both wines. They just seemed brighter and fresher. However, in no instance did I drinker “deeper” into the boxes – just had a taste when they were first opened.

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:58:20 +0000

While I can’t offer any empirical data to either support or refute the box vs. bottle controversy, I can support the consensus that the Domaine Grand Veneur, Cotes du Rhone, reserve, 2007 is an incredible value. I completely agree with the tasting notes and rating by the WA. I am sipping it right now and enjoying it more then I’ve enjoyed wines costing 10 times more. One thing I’ve learned is that when it comes to wine – price and quality don’t always coincide. This wine is an incredible value (I paid $11 for it)

By: DrCraze

DrCraze — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:30:44 +0000

Benito~For me I guess its the whole ritual involved in having an actual bottle of wine. As of late I no longer buy boxed wine, not for taste reasons, only because I recycle the bottles in many of my products.

By: The Wine Mule

The Wine Mule — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:12:46 +0000

Derrick: Reputable producers are the first to acknowledge that bax-in-box wine is not meant for cellaring!

By: Brandy Hauman

Brandy Hauman — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:16:41 +0000

There’s an Italian IGT called Giacomo that comes in both formats.

By: Benito

Benito — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:55:03 +0000

DrCraze–the aesthetic side of it can be replicated using a decanter or even an old empty wine bottle. In fact, I’m surprised I don’t see that suggestion more often–fill the decanter in the kitchen and serve at the table rather than filling wine glasses straight from the box and carrying them to the table.

Red Truck offers the same wine in traditional bottles as well as a box that’s shaped and decorated to look like a wine barrel.

By: Per-BKWine

Per-BKWine — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:28:09 +0000

“you should always check the lot numbers!” It would be odd if two bottlings had the same lot number – one batch=one lot. So a box and a btl would not have the same number. Normally.

Since boxes account for 50%+ of consumption in Sweden this is an issue that has been extensively discussed in that wine-impoverished country.

I have only followed the discussion at a distance (thank God). Sometimes wine seem to be different, sometimes not. (As often in wine, there is not ONE answer.)

But there seems to be two conclusions:

- wine spoils quicker in (unopened) boxes than in (unopened) bottles, so after some time it will inevitably be different

- some producers seem to put different wines in boxes than in bottles even though the label indicates that it is the same wine

On the other hand, does it matter?

Do you WANT to buy a wine in box? Then do it.

But don’t expect marvels.

By: Joel Burt

Joel Burt — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:20:45 +0000

I would be curious to see the difference in free SO2 levels between the box and bottled wines. My expectation is that the box will have a much higher FSO2 to counter act the effects of oxidation; which is inherent in box wine.

By: DrCraze

DrCraze — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:49:25 +0000

I believe in a blind tasting you wouldn’t find much difference, however the overall experience of uncorking a bottle and pouring a glass would make the bottled wine more enjoyable. Another thing to mention is in areas where there aren’t a large community of wine connoisseurs the higher end bottled wines tend to go a little south sitting on the shelves out in the light. I have noticed their box counterparts tend to keep better on the market shelves.

By: Derrick Schneider

Derrick Schneider — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:38:55 +0000

Alandra’s Tinto (from Spain) comes in bottle and box.

Note that while a “tapped” box keeps oxygen out of the wine better than an uncorked bottle, a box with plastic lining is more permeable than a sealed bottle.

i.e., Don’t cellar your boxes