The kids are back in school, yet Autumn’s often glorious afternoons and evenings still offer opportunities for fun backyard barbecues and picnics.
Serving easy drinking and inexpensive yet delicious wines can make these days more enjoyable.
It may come as a surprise that increasingly exceptional wine values for picnics and cookouts come in boxes, not bottles. Yes, so-called “Bags in Boxes” have improved significantly in quality and value.
Typically, boxes contain three liters of wine, the equivalent of four 750 ml bottles. And while standard bottles of wine should be drunk within a day or two of opening, wine in boxes stays fresh for weeks after cracking the seal.
This longevity arises because B-in-B wines come in airtight, food-grade plastic pouches snuggled inside the box. Wine drinkers welcome the convenience: no breakable bottles to lug and then recycle and no corkscrews required. It is a snap to enjoy tasty wine by the glass simply by pouring from the spout.
Two popular choices in Pennsylvania are the 2023 Viticoltori Di Giovanna, V.5 Vasca Cinque, Rosato di Nero D’Avola, Terre Siciliane, Italy ($29.99 for 3 liters, or $7.49 per standard bottle) and the 2022 Bodegas Gallegas, Arrumaco, Verdejo, Spain ($22.99 for 3 liters, or $5.75 per standard bottle).
Sicilian rosé from organically grown grapes
The 2023 V.5 Vasca Cinque comes from organically grown Nero d’Avola grapes in a mountainous nature preserve on the western side of the island of Sicily, directly south of Palermo.
The vineyard’s high altitude combines with the Mediterranean climate to create large temperature swings between night and day. This in turn allows the grapes to hang longer on the vines while developing a nice balance between ripe fruit and freshness.
The wine’s fetching and vivid dark coral color offers enticing strawberry and citrus aromas. On the palate, juicy blood orange and berry flavors with a hint of wild herbs balance with pronounced, fresh acidity. The fruit reigns supreme without any masking from oaky notes.
The wine finishes fruity, but dry, making it perfect for either simple sipping or paired with all sorts of picnic fare and barbecued meats. Serve the wine well chilled. And with only 12.5% alcohol by volume, enjoying more than one glass is no problem.
A Spanish white to tickle the senses
After nearly going extinct, the Verdejo grape thrives again in northwestern Spain in the verdant, coastal region of Galicia. Producers favor an easy drinking, fresh and aromatic style as exemplified by the 2022 Arrumaco, Verdejo.
The wine opens with forward aromas of white flowers, grapefruit and mint. On the palate, crisp, refreshing lemon and grapefruit flavors mix with notes of ripe honeydew melon. Superb, fresh acidity carries through the dry finish.
Another low-alcohol wine with 12% by volume, serve it well chilled. The tasty Arrumaco pairs perfectly with grilled shrimp or fish or fresh shellfish.
Cheers!