Greetings, fellow appreciators of the grape!

This subject has come and gone many times, based on what I've found on
Google, but what is the current state of the art? Are there any
good drinkable boxed wines available in the US?

My experience is that the Franzia wines are average to poor. I've
had the Hardys Shiraz, and it is quite good. However, it isn't easy
to find. As to the others, well, I haven't tried many more, being
hesitant to buy five liters worth if it turns out to be poor quality.

Now here's a suprise: I had the chance to try a glass of the
"Almaden Mountain Burgandy" at someone's house over the holidays, and
I actually found it to be quite palatable. Has anyone had
experience with the other offerings from Almaden? Are they truly a
step up from the Franzia's and Peter Vella's?

Any suggestions for mail order places to buy the better boxed wines
that can't be found locally?

SteveB

>This subject has come and gone many times, based on what I've found on
>Google, but what is the current state of the art? Are there any
>good drinkable boxed wines available in the US?
>

Try the Jean Marc Brocard Bourgogne Blanc "Jurassique". It's roughly $25.00-
$30.00 for a 3 litre box. The quality is quite good and the box fits nicely in
the fridge and keeps the wine in good shape for up to a month.
Bi!!

There is a rumor a Washington State winery sells a red blend out of a
box that is so good it usually sells out within a week. I can't find the
name of winery but what I have been able to figure out is it you have to
buy the wine from the winery and they release it the same time every
year and there is usually a line to buy it the day it is released.

If I hear any more I will let you know. I am hoping some here might have
the rest of the details.

J~

Steve B. wrote:

> Greetings, fellow appreciators of the grape!
>
> This subject has come and gone many times, based on what I've found on
> Google, but what is the current state of the art? Are there any
> good drinkable boxed wines available in the US?
>
> My experience is that the Franzia wines are average to poor. I've
> had the Hardys Shiraz, and it is quite good. However, it isn't easy
> to find. As to the others, well, I haven't tried many more, being
> hesitant to buy five liters worth if it turns out to be poor quality.
>
> Now here's a suprise: I had the chance to try a glass of the
> "Almaden Mountain Burgandy" at someone's house over the holidays, and
> I actually found it to be quite palatable. Has anyone had
> experience with the other offerings from Almaden? Are they truly a
> step up from the Franzia's and Peter Vella's?
>
> Any suggestions for mail order places to buy the better boxed wines
> that can't be found locally?
>
> SteveB
>
>
>
>

The chardonnay here actually isn't too bad-

http://www.blackboxwines.com/


"J~" > wrote in message ...
> There is a rumor a Washington State winery sells a red blend out of a
> box that is so good it usually sells out within a week. I can't find the
> name of winery but what I have been able to figure out is it you have to
> buy the wine from the winery and they release it the same time every
> year and there is usually a line to buy it the day it is released.
>
> If I hear any more I will let you know. I am hoping some here might have
> the rest of the details.
>
> J~
>
> Steve B. wrote:
>
> > Greetings, fellow appreciators of the grape!
> >
> > This subject has come and gone many times, based on what I've found on
> > Google, but what is the current state of the art? Are there any
> > good drinkable boxed wines available in the US?
> >
> > My experience is that the Franzia wines are average to poor. I've
> > had the Hardys Shiraz, and it is quite good. However, it isn't easy
> > to find. As to the others, well, I haven't tried many more, being
> > hesitant to buy five liters worth if it turns out to be poor quality.
> >
> > Now here's a suprise: I had the chance to try a glass of the
> > "Almaden Mountain Burgandy" at someone's house over the holidays, and
> > I actually found it to be quite palatable. Has anyone had
> > experience with the other offerings from Almaden? Are they truly a
> > step up from the Franzia's and Peter Vella's?
> >
> > Any suggestions for mail order places to buy the better boxed wines
> > that can't be found locally?
> >
> > SteveB
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

below
"Steve B." > wrote in message
...
> Greetings, fellow appreciators of the grape!
>
> This subject has come and gone many times, based on what I've found on
> Google, but what is the current state of the art? Are there any
> good drinkable boxed wines available in the US?
>
> My experience is that the Franzia wines are average to poor. I've
> had the Hardys Shiraz, and it is quite good. However, it isn't easy
> to find. As to the others, well, I haven't tried many more, being
> hesitant to buy five liters worth if it turns out to be poor quality.
>
> Now here's a suprise: I had the chance to try a glass of the
> "Almaden Mountain Burgandy" at someone's house over the holidays, and
> I actually found it to be quite palatable. Has anyone had
> experience with the other offerings from Almaden? Are they truly a
> step up from the Franzia's and Peter Vella's?
Haven't tried the Mountain Burgendy (yet), we did get a box of the Almaden
Cabernet Sauvignon - gave it away (to a friend of my step-daughter), not
good. We do use the Almaden Red Sangria as a low-price table wine with
dinner. It is not great, but it is worth what it costs. My step-daughter
likes the Franzia Chillable Red, but my wife and I don't.
We were not using much of the boxed wines, but I got laid off 2 months ago,
and we have economized on things. The wine cellar (spare refrigerator set at
48 deg in the garage) does still have about 20 bottles of better quality for
special occasions.
I also check the specials at a local grocery that maintains a large wine
department with a reasonably knowledgable person running it - I've found
some 1.5 litre Rieslings from time to time at very attractive prices.
We found some good wines on vacation last summer, visiting a number of the
wineries in the western part of Virginia. VA doesn't make and sell any
where near as much as Washington or California, but there are some vintners
that are putting quality over quantity.
Jim

--
Jim Kennedy

"I'm in the group of those who appreciate Beaujolais." Duke Ellington

Black Box from Napa. Haven't had the Merlot, but the Chardonnay has some
nice tropical fruit and enough acid to make it interesting. It is
available at Trader Joe's for $19.99 3L box.
--
Jim Kennedy

"I'm in the group of those who appreciate Beaujolais." Duke Ellington

Black Box from Napa. Haven't had the Merlot, but the Chardonnay has some
> nice tropical fruit and enough acid to make it interesting. It is
> available at Trader Joe's for $19.99 3L box.
> --


I second this one. Probably the best box wine on the market. I can see it
starting a premium box wine category.

Kirk-O-Scottland wrote:

> The chardonnay here actually isn't too bad-
>
> http://www.blackboxwines.com/
>

In the find-store-page the select state pulldown only lists California,
Alaska, and Idaho (Idaho?). Has anyone seen it available outside of those
states (Texas).

shumway > wrote in
:

> Kirk-O-Scottland wrote:
>
>> The chardonnay here actually isn't too bad-
>>
>> http://www.blackboxwines.com/
>>
>
> In the find-store-page the select state pulldown only lists
> California, Alaska, and Idaho (Idaho?). Has anyone seen it available
> outside of those states (Texas).


Available in Pennsylvania. Chardonnay and Merlot. $23.99.
d

shumway wrote:

> Kirk-O-Scottland wrote:
>
>>http://www.blackboxwines.com/
>
> In the find-store-page the select state pulldown only lists California,
> Alaska, and Idaho (Idaho?). Has anyone seen it available outside of those
> states (Texas).

I haven't seen any websites that ship to NY, and I made the mistake of
suggesting it to someone at Astor's Wine & Spirits and got a dismissive
smirk. Doesn't look like it'll be appearing anytime soon.

-- kov

"shumway" > wrote in message
...
> Kirk-O-Scottland wrote:
>
> > The chardonnay here actually isn't too bad-
> >
> > http://www.blackboxwines.com/
> >
>
> In the find-store-page the select state pulldown only lists California,
> Alaska, and Idaho (Idaho?). Has anyone seen it available outside of those
> states (Texas).

All over Colorado Springs, CO! That's all I know about.

In article >,
says...
> Kirk-O-Scottland wrote:
>
> > The chardonnay here actually isn't too bad-
> >
> > http://www.blackboxwines.com/
> >
>
> In the find-store-page the select state pulldown only lists California,
> Alaska, and Idaho (Idaho?). Has anyone seen it available outside of those
> states (Texas).
>
They are available in Kansas, too. I am drinking the Merlot, right now.
It is very smooth and drinkable. My wife loves it, too. Local retail
prices $17.99 to $19.99 per 3 liter box. Works out to about $4.50 to
$5.00 per 750ml bottle. Great value!

We also like the Hardy's Shiraz, too. Usually about $13.99 a box.

DB wrote:
> In article >,
> says...
>
>>Kirk-O-Scottland wrote:
>>
>>>The chardonnay here actually isn't too bad-
>>>
>>>http://www.blackboxwines.com/
>>>
>>In the find-store-page the select state pulldown only lists California,
>>Alaska, and Idaho (Idaho?). Has anyone seen it available outside of those
>>states (Texas).
>>
>
> They are available in Kansas, too. I am drinking the Merlot, right now.
> It is very smooth and drinkable. My wife loves it, too. Local retail
> prices $17.99 to $19.99 per 3 liter box. Works out to about $4.50 to
> $5.00 per 750ml bottle. Great value!
>
> We also like the Hardy's Shiraz, too. Usually about $13.99 a box.

Just saw the Black Box Merlot and Chardonnay at one of my favorite
liquor stores in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA. $18.99 US.
What other varietals are available?

BTW: I also like the Hardys Shiraz, but it's $16-17/box here. :-(

Dick in Apple Valley, Minnesota USA - 20 miles south of Minneapolis
(GPS coordinates available on request :-) )

Merlot

--
Jim Kennedy

"I'm in the group of those who appreciate Beaujolais." Duke Ellington