Boxed wine gets a bad rap because, well, it’s wine in a box. You’ve heard all the negative connotations by now: They’re cheap, unsophisticated, and downright boring. You walk into any party with boxed wine, and you’ll not only raise eyebrows, but also be persona non grata at the next shindig. I’ve personally never sipped wine from a box, though that has a lot to do with the fact that my introduction to wine happened when a date of mine from more than 20 years ago ordered a bottle of Château Ste. Michelle Riesling at a restaurant I frequented. The Riesling was sweet, crisp, and truly delicious for someone who runs on beer, tequila, rum, and whiskey. That bottle of Riesling, however, sparked curiosity: Buying a dozen red and white bottles of wine from my local shop in Pasadena, California. The bottles sat mostly on my wine rack collecting dust. I’d open one every few months when guests preferred something buttery or fruity over carbonated or oaky booze.
It wasn’t until my trip across Tuscany in April 2018 that I really learned to appreciate wine. After touring the tiny village, one wine came out on top, and it’s one I order every chance I get when dining out: Chianti Classico. But always make sure the bottle carries the black rooster symbol. The older I get, the more I appreciate a glass of wine. Heck, last summer while visiting Cuban Creations Cigar Bar in New Orleans, the lovely waitress recommended a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon for the Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva cigar I was about to light. It was a great recommendation.
