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The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with Australia and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article and discuss the issue on the talk page. |
A box wine (or boxed wine, cask wine[1], goon) is a wine packaged as a Bag-In-Box. Such packages contain a plastic bladder protected by a box, usually made of corrugated fiberboard.
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History and culture
Cheap cask wine is also known as "goon". It is also ironically called "Château cardboard", a pun on the fact that many wine-makers attempt to cultivate a French air by naming their wine "Château-" e.g. Chateau Yaldara. The packaging first found confidence among consumers in Australia,[2] and while it has established a steady market across Europe, in the U.S. the boxed wine has found difficulty in overcoming a down-market image.[3][4]
Pros and cons
Bag-in-box packaging is not inferior to bottles, but is preferred by some wineries because it is far less expensive, lighter and more environmentally friendly than bottled wine[citation needed]. Boxed wine is typically cheaper than bottled varieties, often around AU$10 (GBP£5, US$8) for 3 litres in Australia.[5]
Unlike bottled wine which goes bad a few days after opening, boxed wine stays fresh for weeks after opening since the vacuum-sealed pouch does not allow the wine to be exposed to air. However, unopened boxed wines do have a shorter shelf than bottled wines so most boxes will have a best-before date stamped on them. As a result, the product is not intended for cellaring and should be consumed within the prescribed period. Deterioration may be quite noticeable by 12 months after filling.[2]
Manufacturers of 'higher class' bottled wines[who?] have complained about the cheapness of 'cask' wines, arguing that they provide a cheap means for alcoholics to become inebriated. In particular, the lower level of alcohol excise levied on cask wine in Australia (compared to beer and bottled wine) has been criticised as encouraging binge drinking.[6]
Box wine is considered to have benefits from an environment protection point of view.[3] The bag allows a contents of 3-10l, so that far less packaging mass is required. The material it is made from is very light, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions caused by transport (as opposed to glass containers, which weigh much more).
See also
References
- ^ "Wine cask". Powerhouse Museum. http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/australia_innovates/?behaviour=view_article&Section_id=1000&article_id=10021. Retrieved 2007-03-05.
- ^ a b winepros.com.au. The Oxford Companion to Wine. "boxes, wine". http://www.winepros.com.au/jsp/cda/reference/oxford_entry.jsp?entry_id=430.
- ^ a b Colman, Tyler, The New York Times (August 17, 2008). Drink Outside the Box
- ^ Colman, Tyler, Forbes.com (July 16, 2009). Box Wines That Can Be A Hit
- ^ "Cask Wine". Time Out Sydney. 2009-01-01. http://www.timeoutsydney.com.au/barspubs/drinksrecipes/cask-wine.aspx. Retrieved 2009-12-13.
- ^ "Drinking problem is lack of will on overall measures". Sydney Morning Herald. 2007-06-30. http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/drinking-problem-is-lack-of-will-on-overall-measures/2007/06/29/1182624168792.html?page=2. Retrieved 2007-08-04.
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