Boxed Wine - MGM Wine & Spirits

Out of the Box (And Into Your Glass)

Boxed wines are on the rise

Good wine is good wine, and if you can get past the traditional notion that it has to come in a glass bottle, you can find some excellent options in these convenient boxes.

For decades, boxed wine was associated with low-quality juice packaged for volume, which may have left a bad taste in some people’s mouths. Today, upscale varietals, including many California and Washington favorites, are in boxes; even some old-school winemakers from places such as Italy and France are trying the alternative packaging.

Inside the box, the wine is housed in a sturdy plastic bag complete with a built-in spigot. As the wine is drawn from the spigot, the vacuum-sealed bag collapses, which keeps air out so the wine stays fresh up to four weeks after opening, whether at room temperature or in the fridge. A standard size is 3 liters-the equivalent of four 750ml bottles of wine-and there are also 1.5-liter boxes available. Prior to opening, whites stay fresh for up to eight months, and reds are good for up to 13 months.

Wine in a box makes it easy to enjoy one glass of vino at a time without worrying about finishing a bottle or wasting the remainder. It’s also great for dinner on the deck, camping or poolside. A chilled box of wine will stay cool for hours, which is especially nice for large outdoor gatherings.

Last but not least, boxes are eco-friendly. Less packaging and labeling goes into production, and there is usually more volume packaged into one box. And when compared to glass bottles (which weigh a lot more), boxed wine also reduces pollution caused by transportation. When you’ve reached the bottom of the bag, you can recycle the boxes with your cardboard/paper recycling.

SIP ON THIS

28 Times Fresher

On average, boxed wine will stay fresh in a fridge for two to four weeks once it’s opened-that is up to 28 times longer than traditional bottled wine. Not to mention, a typical box of wine holds the equivalent of four bottles.

Boxed wine is still wine, which makes pairing a breeze. Lighter wines such as Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio complement white meat dishes, seafood and citrusy salads, while red varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec marry well with steak, pastas with red sauce, and chocolate desserts. Whether using the wine in a recipe or sipping it as you dine, boxed wine is a no-fuss choice during outdoor-cooking season. No corks, no glass, no problem.

Out of the Box (And Into Your Glass)

Tipsy Lentils with Crème Fraîche & Arugula

Makes 4 Servings

1 cup dried lentils

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 sprig fresh thyme, small leaves removed and the stem discarded

½ cup The Naked Grape Harvest Red Blend

3 tablespoons crème fraîche (or goat cheese if you prefer a tangier finish)

½ lemon, juiced

2 cups packed greens of your choice, such as arugula

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a medium pot, cook the lentils according to the package directions. Once cooked, drain off any excess water and set the lentils aside.

In a large heavy bottomed skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for 1 minute more until just fragrant.

Add the thyme leaves and the cooked lentils to the skillet and stir to combine.

Pour in The Naked Grape Harvest Red Blend and let the wine cook for about 5 minutes until almost all of the wine is absorbed into the lentils. Turn the heat off, and stir in the crème fraîche or goat cheese and fresh lemon juice. Season the dish with salt and pepper as needed. Let the lentils cool for about 15 minutes.

Arrange the arugula on a large serving platter. Transfer the lentils on top of the arugula and gently toss to combine. Serve as needed.

Recipe courtesy of The Naked Grape

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