Wine in Boxes

Wines in boxes are showing up all over the place. Most often, the wines in boxes are the familiar dry varieties, but what about the people who enjoy wines with a bit or even a lot of sweetness. The answer to that question has come from Bota Box, a wine producer that makes a complete line of excellent boxed wines from the driest of the dry to the sweetest of the sweet. 

The name was derived from the Spanish bota bag, a leather pouch that holds and delivers wine. The novelty about the Spanish bota bag is that to drink the wine one must hold the bag above the mouth with the head tilted back and allow the wine to pour into the mouth. The Spanish enjoy entertaining tourists by demonstrating the bota bag drinking experience but we imagine that their training period must have been rather interesting. 

Fortunately for all concerned, Bota Box wines come in an aseptic plastic bag equipped with a valve controlled pouring spout so there is no training necessary. The wine inside the bag will stay fresh for as long as a month after the box has been opened and is very portable allowing it to be taken on outdoor picnics, hunting trips, barbecues, hikes and even white water rafting, provided you hang on to it tightly. Bota Box wines are supplied in 3 liter boxes, the equivalent of four bottles and they sell for an amazing $22.99.

We have listed only a few of the broad spectrum of wine varieties under the Bota Box label. Needless to say, if there is a specific variety that you enjoy, you will probably find it in a Bota Box, and you will also learn that a really good wine need not be expensive and does not have to come in a corked glass bottle.

2014 Pinot Noir. If you like this variety but are dissuaded by its often high price, your salvation is here. This wine from Bota Box offers all of the flavors and aromas the variety is famous with absolutely none of the off flavors often associated with inexpensive Pinot Noirs. As ardent Pinot Noir lovers, we give this wine a big fat yes.

Bota Box 2014 Cabernet Savignon. This is a true and pure Cabernet Savignon that exhibits everything one seeks in a cab.  It is a big, full flavored wine accenting cassis, cherry and berry flavors with the classical Cabernet under flavors of chocolate, clove and oak in the background.  If you are looking for an affordable Cab of quality, you have just found it.

Bota Box 2014 Riesling. This is a semi-sweet wine that presents the traditional aromas of nectarine, melon, honey and floral notes followed by flavors of lychee, white peach, pear and a hint of green apple. Just as a side note we lived in Germany, the home of the Riesling, and this wine is the real thing.

Bota Box 2015 Moscato.  Sweet wine lovers, here is a Moscato that will satisfy you sweet tooth to the Nth degree. The wine displays aromas of citrus blossom, honeysuckle, and honeydew followed by flavors of white peach, cantaloupe, and orange blossom that extend into a big refreshing finish.

Bota Box 2014 Nighthawk Black. This is the mystery wine because they do not list the components but it is one dynamite red wine. Big, almost black in color, the aromas blackberry, raspberry, caramel, and vanilla are as obvious as purple hair. The flavor is also no slacker presenting fig, dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow (hey that’s smores) and spice. This smooth wine, even at its low price, is a winner.

Bota Box 2014 Shiraz. Bota Box has taken the favorite red wine of Australia’s and given it a California twist. The Bota Box 2014 Shiraz is a medium bodied wine offering displaying the aromas of blackberry, plum and a hint of white pepper. The flavor is a feast of fruit featuring with blueberry jam and cherry that follows through to the finish.