Backpacking with wine has always been questionable--a heavy glass bottle doesn’t exactly scream ultralight. Even so, there still exist backpacking wine enthusiasts (a small but brave group of individuals) willing to forego the chore of carrying extra weight into the backcountry for the sake of sipping the finest Cote d’Or on a 5-day venture through the Pacific Northwest. Although we applaud the tenacity of these brave souls, we‘re here to tell them things are about to get lighter-- box wine is better than ever and back on the connoisseur’s menu. It’s been a rough ride for box wine since its inception in the mid-sixties. A cheap and, for the most part, tasteless stigma has carried over the last few decades, making the current plight of new-age box wines an uphill battle. While there are still a few lesser caliber Franzia-type staples around in the box wine industry, there are many up-and-coming attractive freshman on the block. Most box wine comes in a three-liter plastic bladder (equivalent to 4 bottles) inside a cardboard box.

Ditch the cardboard box and you have a nearly weightless vessel in which to transport your wine. Because oxygen can’t reach the liquid retained in the vessel, ‘opened’ wine stays fresh for weeks if not a month. If 3 liters of wine is too much for what you will need on your trip, plan accordingly. buy tiffany wine glassesWe sat down with rock-star sommelier David Miller in Boulder, Colorado, to get the lowdown on the finest cardboard carry-withs. list of biggest wine producing countriesBlack Box Malbec, 2008- From Mendoza, Argentina, this spicy, leathery, and rustic wine is a perfect match for the outdoors, and our favorite in the lineup. buy wine in grand centralWith an earthy nose, the medium and slightly dry body yearns to be paired with Southwest Jambalaya. best wines to give as a christmas gift

, $24 Bota Box Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008- This medium bodied California-born wine is simple and fruity. A nose of dark berries and vanilla proceeds a palate featuring a hint of oak to compliment the berries. A great backcountry pair for Moroccan Fish Tagine. , $20 Bota Box Pino Grigio, 2009- Light, crisp, and clean, this California wine is perfect after a big mile day on the trail. best red wine for skin in indiaCitrus with a hint of candy on the nose, followed by a more intense crisp citrus, hint of ginger and a light mineral flavor on the palate. top 100 wines 2012Pair with light dishes like Salmon-Studded Spaghetti. , $20 French Rabbit Pino Noir, 2008- This easy drinking village wine from the south of France is very light bodied, with a nose of dark cherries and leather. On the palate, a subtle earthiness coupled with hints of dark berries.

A great accompaniment to Columbian Arepas. , $10 (1 liter Tetra Pak*, about 7 glasses) Monthaven Central Coast Chardonnay, 2008- Apple, oak, and tropical fruits are at the forefront of the nose for this California Chardonnay. Very well-balanced, with a touch of apple and citrus on the palate followed by a clean citrus finish. Pair with Smoked Salmon Pasta. /monthavenwinery, $18 For the Naysayer: Still not sold on box wines? Try the Platy Preserve wine preservation system. Extend the life of an unfinished bottle of wine at home (minimize wine contact with oxygen by squeezing excess air out before capping), or transfer your favorite glass-bottled wine to the BPA-free bladder for an overnight trip. , $10, Holds 750ml *Some companies are now offering wine in Tetra Paks, a product made from recycled materials, but the plastic coated paper is not necessarily recyclable in all areas (tricky, I know). Squeeze excess air from package when re-sealing to preserve wine.Good Question: Best Boxed Wine for a Camping Trip?

Christina of blog Thirty a Week is looking for good boxed wine suggestions. She writes: Going canoe camping Memorial Day weekend and our group is looking for some good boxed wine to take with us (no drinking while canoe-ing!!) since we have to pack light. Christina, Mary did a post on bag-in-the-box wine a little while ago and you may find some good ideas in the comments: • Bag-in-Box Wine: What's Your View? Other than that, we aren't much help on this. Box wine has actually been gaining in popularity due to its more environmentally friendly packaging, ease of transportation, and other factors. But we just haven't investigated it much yet. Readers, what's the best box wine you know, and do you have any recommendations in that line for Christina? Keep an eye out for any canoeing reports on Christina's blog, Thirty a Week, too. Related: Good Question: Best Meals to Cook On Camping Trips?The next couple of months mark the height of camping season. While the rest of the camping public stocks up on gatorade and beer, we wine geeks are determined to ‘make wine campy’.

Whether you’re at a drive up campsite or a day out backpacking on the Appalachian Trail, there are a lot of benefits to packing wine instead of beer or alcohol. Benefits of Camping with Wine Bulk, Weight, and Waste Do you really want to go camping with a bunch of bottles that you’ll need to drag back to civilization? This is where box wine really shines. Box wine’s packaging-to-wine weight ratio is vastly superior to bottles. Box wine is more eco-friendly than bottles as well, and since you are enjoying the great outdoors, it is your karmic duty to do the right thing. You can even remove the box before you leave home and just bring the wine bladder. Check out all the benefits of boxed wine. Grab a Pack Tap and fill it with Sine Qua Non Poker Face! A Sea Summit Pack Tap can hold up to 10 liters (yes, 10!) and conveniently attaches to your backpack. Alternatively, you can hang it from a tree at your campsite and use it like a wine tap. Chill it in a river, just be sure to keep the nozzle dry.

When you fill the bladder with wine, make sure to get as much air out as possible and the wine will stay good for up to 5 days. Superior Alcohol by Volume (ABV) Wine has an ideal ABV. When camping this means that you get more alcohol for less weight without having to resort to drinking straight whisky. Beer can’t really compare at around 4-6% ABV. One bottle of wine is roughly equivalent to a 6-pack of beer and weighs half as much. Never mind having to recycle all those beer bottles/cans. However, the ultimate ABV is a fortified wine, such as Port or Sherry. Yes, I drink Sherry while camping, what of it? Camping with Wine Tips Whether it’s weenies on a stick, some fresh fish from the lake, or even vegetarian fare, camping with wine usually accompanies open-fire cooking. The time of year is as important as the food, so even though you may be grilling up some juicy steaks, a heavy high alcohol red wine might not drink that well in the summer heat. As a general rule, pick a lighter wine that’s under 14.5% alcohol.

Riesling is a great thirst quenching wine perfect for summer festivities. Also consider having fun with a wine cooler blend or sangria. Do you have something to drink out of? Can you open your wine? Does your wine need to be cold or can you serve it at ambient temperature? Remember screw top and box wines don’t require any tools to open. You can drink right out of the 500ml box wine and mini-bottles. Your car will be hot, so keep the wine in a cooler on your way to the campsite and get it somewhere shady as soon as you arrive. Keep the wine out of direct sunlight as heat can cook your wine. If it’s a real scorcher and you are near some water you can float your bottle (or bladder from inside the box wine) in the river or lake to cool it down before drinking. Remember to keep the opening out of the water to avoid bacteria contamination. Using a tie-off point on a nearby tree branch is the most effective way to keep the bottle stationary and spout side up. Did you know you can camp in wine country?