Mini Boxes That Hold Three Liters of Wine

We were recently introduced to a new wine box. We know that wine boxes are old hat by now, but these new boxes have a really interesting twist; they fit in the fridge without taking up all the room on the shelves. These mini boxes hold three liters of wine which is the equivalent of four standard 750 ML bottles.
We sampled some of the wines in these new boxes to put it to the test. The wines were fine when we opened them and they continued to have lost nothing after three week in our refrigerator. We must say that we really like these new compact boxes and believe that they are an ecologically friendly way to present wine which also results in a lower price because, believe it or not, bottles are not cheap.
The only objection to these boxes that we found was what might happen if the idea really catches on. The thought of a waiter coming up to your table at a fancy restaurant and filling you glass from a box, does have its amusing aspect.

Falling Star 2009 Chardonnay ($19.99/3 Liter Box). The grapes for this wine come from Argentina’s wine basket, Mendoza County, the premier grape-growing district of that country. What this means is that the grapes are endowed with a heavy fresh fruit flavor which is transmitted to the grapes by the soil and the climate. This full flavor of the Chardonnay grape, with the Mendoza signature mineral background comes through with the first sip. This wine is made without the use of any oak, either in the fermentation or the aging. What flavors there are, are derived solely from the grapes. The flavors that emerge are crisp and clean, stressing fresh apple with just a hint of citrus and tropical fruits. It is a delightful wine that we are sure will please even the most serious wine lover.

Falling Star 2010 Malbec ($19.99/3 Liter Box). Malbec is a red grape, which has found a new destiny in Argentina. This grape, which in the past, was used primarily as a blending or color grape, produces some very interesting and flavorful wines when grown in Argentina. Whether it is the mineral content of the water and soil or just the location, the grape does well there. The wine has a deep red, almost violet color and the aromas of fresh picked dark summer berries. Blueberries are the dominant flavor along with a hint of plums, prunes and chocolate. This variety can prove to be an excellent choice when one tires of the “usual” fare.

Folonari 2010 Pinot Grigio ($19.99/3 Liter Box). With all of the pinot grigio’s around these days, this wine is probably one of the best buys of this variety to be found. The Folonari 2010 Pinot Grigio is a soft, supple truly Italian wine that is loaded with delicate fruit flavors while maintaining enough fruit acid to make it all work. It is a light, straw colored, dry white wine with a rich fruity bouquet and a lively raisiny-grape flavor that features hints of peach and apricot, which give way to a delightful and enticing lemon citrus. This wine is a treat and we feel that it is so good that it would be a pity to miss.

Folonari 20090 Pinot Noir ($19.99/3 Liter Box). Putting a pinot noir in front of us is like waving a red flag in front of a bull; not a good move because we are very critical of this variety. The Folonari 2009 Pinot Noir comes from Italy, a country not known for pinot noir wines. This pinot noir however, is something different in a great many ways. The wine displays all of the classical flavors and substance one would expect in a pinot noir, while retaining truly Italian characteristics The flavor is powerful, the wine enjoyable and at last, a pinot noir that can accompany Veal Scaloppini, Eggplant Parmesan, Chicken Marsala or anything else Italian without wrecking the pocket book.