February 1, 2016—Fearlessly Archived—Still a fun read; price & availability may have changed. Long before boxed wine, people were putting wine in a box. “It’s just for the elite,” some would say. Others would claim that wine is generally too “cultured” for tailgating. Or, that it’s most fitting only when poured into the correct stemware, resting on a well-laid table. We wanted to put wine in a box, too. How did we do it? Why, by actually putting wine… in a box! Of course, boxed wine isn’t a new thing, but we’d like to think that the particular approach we take with our Block 67 wines adds real value. Take, for example, our Block 67 Cabernet Sauvignon (“Block” for the box; “67” for the year Trader Joe’s was founded). First, it has an incredibly easy-to-use twisting pour spout, as do all of our Block 67 wines. Second, it lasts up to 45 days after opening—meaning you won’t have to drink all three liters in one sitting… Third, we’ve used wine from California.

Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with some additional California varietals to create a bold, medium-bodied red. It opens up with aromas of blackberry and black cherry, and brings notes of toasted vanilla to your palate. It finishes with soft, elegant tannins. We don’t mean to put you in a box, but we can almost bet you’re the kind that will really enjoy this wine. No doubt, you will enjoy the price. The three liter box of Block 67 Cabernet Sauvignon is $11.99*. Find it everyday, alongside our bottled wines. * Block 67 Cabernet Sauvignon is currently available in Trader Joe's stores where wine is sold. It is $11.99 plus tax. Alcohol availability & price may vary due to state laws, taxes, shipment fees & other such stuff. Fully Cooked Uncured Bacon $3.99, $5.99 or $9.99 BouquetsNote: You know The Man and I jaunt all around this country (and world) on the lookout for food and libations, right? Well, he’s actually an incredible chef (he’s in the kitchen more than me) and drops serious knowledge when it comes to wine.

He was also the inspiration behind this blog, so it’s only right that he finally writes something here (he’s a longtime blogger too, it’s how we originally met). Guest Post by James Moreau: Boxed wine no longer deserves its place in the world of high snobbery taboos held by wine enthusiasts. Many people my age get sucked into the allure of joining wine clubs and making friends with our local wine merchants, buying the latest and greatest bottles of wine as we stop in for our weekly (or daily, depending on the workweek) wine shopping adventure. best italian wine 2014While we’re able to navigate both new world and old world wine gems, we often don’t sit to contemplate the cost and environmental impact of our wine hobby(habit).best red wine for a cocktail party Have you ever considered that the unimpressive sized box of wine typically contains 3.5 to 4 bottles of wine? red wine brands starting with r

Yes, that’s actually the amount of wine that is sitting as fresh as a daisy inside of that box (and the plastic polymer bag inside). Imagine how much energy and fossil fuels go into making and shipping 4 glass bottles compared to one wine-filled bag surrounded by a cardboard box? I’m no shipping logistics genius, but I’ll say that it’s a hell of a lot better for the environment, but a lot.best selling wine in canada Take The Naked Grape’s (new) 3L box of California Chardonnay. open wine and beer shopClean and crisp, not unduly sweet and a good hit of acid on the tip of your tongue. buy black ink wineGood apple and mineral scents remind you that this Chardonnay is more liked the un-oaked versions of you’d find from Oregon or Washington state, rather than Napa Valley.

What’s a person to do when there’s a romantic interest to further, a vibe to heighten? The enterprising Brokelynite, on a modest budget, with mad culinary skills and decent tunes (try Thelonious Monk, Alone in San Francisco), may be thinking something cozy and private. You know — cheaper. All that’s needed is a little bit (or a lot) of the grape to advance the mood. It’s time to (re)consider boxed wine. The box has shed the stigma of crapulence. We found some of the best to get your new stackable cellar started. We’re not talking Franzia here: Instead, high-quality boxes come in a range of varietals, which are environmentally packaged so that their freshness remains for as long as four weeks. The boxes are far lighter than glass, meaning that transport of a truckload of boxed wine leaves a smaller per-glass carbon footprint than bottled wine. And since the economy-minded drinker isn’t likely to have a gourmet kitchen, the box squeezes nicely in cabinets, on bookshelves and in other nooks and crannies.

And to be super savvy, grab one of these before you head out to one of Brooklyn’s best BYOB restaurants. Best With a Medium Rare Hamburger: Bota Box A zinfandel and a pinot grigio, both from California, plus many other flavors, according to its website Price: 3L (same as 4 bottles)=$20.99, cost per 5 oz glass=$1.05 (at Old Brooklyn, 145 Union St.) Even a standard bottle at a modest $10 works out to $2 a glass, so the thriftiness of the box is immediately apparent. And it’s simply a more effective delivery mechanism for wine, from an environmental standpoint. The Bota Box seems to embrace that mission. A dull brown cardboard package doesn’t necessarily scream “elegant” so much as “recycled.” But the zinfandel happens to be one reporter’s go-to box. It’s full-bodied and a little fruity. Best When Romancing a Vegan: Badger Mountain Pure White Organic A blend of white grapes, the exact mix not disclosed, according to its website Price: 3L (same as 4 bottles)=$24.99, cost per 5 oz glass=$1.25 (at Scotto’s Wine Cellar, 318 Court St.)

Yes, you read correctly. Badger Mountain is a certified organic vineyard. That may be the reason for the halo on the package. Get past the religious symbolism and, according to the staff at Scotto’s, you’ll enjoy a wine that’s dry, flavorful, easy to drink and socially responsible. Your new special friend will love it. Saugvignon Blanc, from New Zealand. The Black Box website features several grapes, all of which are sourced to well-known growing areas: malbec from Argentina, the cab is from California Price: 3L=$22.99, cost per 5 oz glass=$1.15 (at Old Brooklyn, 145 Union St.) Perhaps the most esteemed of the boxed brethren, the Black Box looks rather sleek, too. One might think of it as the Cadillac of boxed wines, back when Cadillacs had fins and got seven miles to the gallon. This pinot noir hails from the world famous vineyards in… Price: 3L=$22.99, cost per glass=$1.15 (at Old Brooklyn, 145 Union St.) This box of booze has two major things going for it.