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Why wine in a box is cool again – and three of the best to try

Katie Spain
Katie Spain

Some of the cask wines on offer will give you a top tipple without breaking the bank.
Some of the cask wines on offer will give you a top tipple without breaking the bank.Steve Baccon

Let's face it, times are tough. We're all looking for value and a large-format wine you can pop in the fridge or cupboard and dip into as the mood demands has real appeal.

In Scandinavia (particularly Sweden), Bag-in-Box (BiB) is a popular retail category. Here, we usually associate boxed wine bladders with Goon of Fortune games.

But there's plenty to love about wine in a box – if you choose wisely. These three are worth seeking out.

Koerner Brothers in a Box 2022 Clare Valley Riesling, SA, $45

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Brothers Damon and Jono Koerner won the national 2019 Young Gun of Wine Awards for their creative approach to wine. Their latest foray (Brothers in a Box) bangs Damon's creations in a 1.5 litre cask. The riesling has all the beautiful lemon/lime-packed precision one can expect from this star winemaker. A devilish 666 boxes made. 10.5 per cent alcohol.

Find it at koernerwine.com.au

Pandolfa Federico Sangiovese Cask 2019, Italy, from $37

Want a slurpy, chirpy, fail-safe boxed red? Go large (three litres) and Italian with this respected producer from Emilia-Romagna. The aromatic red begs for a heaving bowl of pasta or a table piled with pizza. Perfect for play dates with mates and great bang for your buck. 12.5 per cent alcohol.

Find it at Mercato (mercato.com.au) or blackheartsandsparrows.com.au

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Delinquente and The Chats Goon, SA/NSW, $35

When irreverent Australian band The Chats collaborated with Delinquente winemaker Con-Greg Grigoriou, the packaging had to be cask wine. The 1.5 litre box is a piece of art in its own right. The artwork (by Campbell Walker – aka Struthless) features pelicans playing Goon of Fortune. The white blend (cloudy orange on the eye) is an aromatic, bone dry barbecue banger. It also pairs well with a schnitty. 11 per cent alcohol.

Find it at builttospill.wine

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Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/goodfood/sip-it-wine-in-a-box-20220811-h25nns.html