Octavin – Good Wine in a Box

Are you somewhat peeved by the current practice in the food industry of giving smaller product weight at higher prices. Have no fear, all facets of the wine industry are rigorously controlled so there will be no change in the size of wine bottles or its contents; price is another question. The advent of aseptic packaging, the packaging of wine in cardboard boxes containing air tight plastic bags for the wine has resulted in bigger, better and most important less expensive wines.

Aseptic boxes are an ideal way to present wines. Although they are not the smallest things in the  world, they do fit snugly in the refrigerator. They also come with a very convenient pouring spout so you do not have to struggle to re-cork a bottle, but can just drain off the exact amount you may need for accompanying a meal, as an aperitif or to use in cooking.

Octavin has been one of the wine industries leaders in the use of aseptic boxes they package some really excellent wines in very affordable aseptic boxes. These octagon shaped boxes contain 3 liters of wine and sell for $24. Since 3 liters is the equivalent of 4 bottles of wine, which comes to $8 a bottle for a good wine and in today’s tight economy is a bargain. The same wines are also available in bottles at a cost of $10 each if you prefer bottles. We could go through all of that ecology and “save the whale” stuff but these boxes are considerably more nature friendly than glass, and a lot safer. Personally, we like the whole idea of the aseptic box and have found the wines inside the Octavin box are worthy of praise.

Octavin R. Muller 2010 “Rabbit” Landwein Riesling. This is a typical German riesling; not too sweet but just sweet enough. This very enjoyable wine exhibits a broad spectrum of flavors and aromas with peaches, apricots, pineapple and apple being the most prominent. The fruit acid is finely balanced and adds a modest background of citrus. This wine can accompany all of the lighter meat meals and is a perfect wine to serve as an aperitif when company comes.

Octavin Pinot Evil Pinot Noir. From France comes this delightful pinot noir with all of the charms and delights that only a French Pinot Noir can offer. This ruby colored wine displays a medium body and a very big flavor. There are the flavors of cherries and plums along with hints of cloves and a background of spicy oak. This is a wine that can accompany most meat dishes as well as the full flavored sea foods. A suggestion would be to serve this wine with grilled shark or swordfish steaks.

Octavin Seven. The name Seven comes from the winemakers blending of seven of the most popular red grape varieties. The wine comes from the famed Bodegas Osborn in Spain and is composed of 25% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot 18% syrah, 8% petit verdot, 8% tempranillo 8% genache and 8% graciano; whew. All of these varieties are combined to form an interesting beverage that encompasses the best features of its constituents. The flavor and aroma both stress dark summer fruits and berries and then trails off to a berry-like finish . This is a very nice wine for those upcoming barbeques.

Octavin  Silver Birch Sauvignon Blanc. Where else would a well made sauvignon blanc wine come from but New Zealand, the acknowledged leader in that variety. This offering tends to follow the modern style for sauvignon blanc by surprising the grassy aroma that is natural to the wine, in favor of a melon aroma that can also be coaxed from the grape. The melon character of the sauvignon blanc grape also makes its appearance in the flavor where it mingles with kiwi, pear, apple and an under flavor of lemony citrus. This wine is a very nice treatment of an all too often underrated variety and deserves your attention.