Below is the list of wines they selected, along with their tasting notes. Let us know if you agree with their selection or tell us your top boxed wine pick!

Reds:

2009 Alandra Alentejo Red: A rustic, country red from Portugal’s Herdade do Esporão with moderate tannins and plenty of red fruit. Try it with grilled and roasted pork or oily fish like sardines. (Importer: HCG Imports)

2009 Big House Cardinal Zin Beastly Old Vines California Zinfandel: A dialed-down style that has balanced berry fruit, is nicely made and is still big enough to accompany barbecue and sausages. The favorite of the Big House lineup.

2009 Black Box Wines Central Coast Shiraz: Black Box was an early entry into premium boxed wines nearly a decade ago. Give the bold berry flavors and hint of gaminess a slight chill – especially if it’s a hot day.
 http://www.aboutboxedwine.com/wine/black-box-central-coast-shiraz 

2008 Powers Washington Cabernet Sauvignon: The most varietal and well-structured Cabernet of those tasted.

Whites

2010 Duca del Frassino Venezie IGT Garganega-Pinot Grigio: A Soave-like wine with depth, breadth and a slight amaro-bitter almond note on the finish. Or try the 2010 Duca del Frassino Venezie IGT Durello-Chardonnay ($19, 12%) with simple grilled chicken or white-fleshed fish.
http://www.aboutboxedwine.com/wine/duca-del-frassino-garganega-pinot-grigio

2010 La Petite Frog Coteaux du Languedoc Picpoul de Pinet: If your palate prefers leaner wine, you’ll enjoy this white from southern France, with its zippy citrus and mineral hints. (Importer: Kysela Pere et Fils)

2009 R. Muller Landwein Rhein Riesling: The German category of Landwein (country wine) falls between tafelwein (table wine) and the QbA designations. Apricot and lichee; lighter-bodied and relatively sweet, but still considered off-dry.

2010 Trinchero Family Estates Wine Cube California Sauvignon Blanc: Slightly grassy and very varietal, with bright lemon and lime peel, stone fruit aromas and flavors. A terrific option for your go-to summer white, while the 2009 Wine Cube Pinot Noir ($17, 13.5%) is a perfect red for salmon.

Read the full article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/01/FD3K1K4NQJ.DTL#ixzz1REsOYkjL

The Pepperwood Grove BIG GREEN BOX offers all the convenience of a 3L bag-in-box, produced by a company with a long track record of producing great wine at reasonable prices. In fact, Pepperwood Grove has been winning the hearts and minds of consumers for 20 years!

Varietals offered in the BIG GREEN BOX include Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Once opened, the wine will remain fresh in the refrigerator for up to a month.

Pepperwood Grove Pinot Grigio Tasting Notes

Crisp citrus drives this light straw-colored Pinot Grigio, beginning with hints of tangerine and pear on the nose.   The palate exhibits bright, tart apple and hints of meyer lemon.  This California Pinot Grigio has an undercurrent of limestone that melds nicely with the zesty citrus flavors.  A wine with light crisp body and nice integrated acidity.

Awards

Pepperwood Grove wines have been awarded over 35 “Best Values” and “Best Buys” from major wine publications over the last 20 years.

http://www.kenswineguide.com/wine_review/Pepperwood-Grove-Big-Green-Box-Pinot-Grigio

http://spiritofwine.blogspot.com/2010/10/practically-free-big-green-box-wines.html

http://isantetalk.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-big-green-box-winethumbs

Learn More

http://www.donandsons.com/ourwine/biggreenbox/

http://www.aboutboxedwine.com/boxed-wine-is-good/discover-rate-review/

The Pepperwood Grove BIG GREEN BOX offers all the convenience of a 3L bag-in-box, produced by a company with a long track record of producing great wine at reasonable prices. In fact, Pepperwood Grove has been winning the hearts and minds of consumers for 20 years!

Varietals offered in the BIG GREEN BOX include Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Once opened, the wine will remain fresh in the refrigerator for up to a month.

Pepperwood Grove Chardonnay Tasting Notes

Aromatics of vanilla bean, light, toasted hazelnut, and lemon sorbet burst out of the glass. On the palate, initial crisp flavors of green apple and biscotti contrast with a hint of grapefruit, toasted marshmallow, and fresh lime on the finish. Rich, mouth filling layers are balanced by crisp, clean acidity, true to the Pepperwood Grove style.

Awards

Pepperwood Grove wines have been awarded over 35 “Best Values” and “Best Buys” from major wine publications over the last 20 years.

• Gold Medal, NextGen Wine Competition 2010
• 85 Points, World Value Wine Challenge 2010

http://spiritofwine.blogspot.com/2010/10/practically-free-big-green-box-wines.html

http://isantetalk.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-big-green-box-winethumbs

Learn More

http://www.donandsons.com/ourwine/biggreenbox/

http://www.aboutboxedwine.com/boxed-wine-is-good/discover-rate-review/

The Pepperwood Grove BIG GREEN BOX offers all the convenience of a 3L bag-in-box, produced by a company with a long track record of producing great wine at reasonable prices. In fact, Pepperwood Grove has been winning the hearts and minds of consumers for 20 years!

Varietals offered in the BIG GREEN BOX include Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Once opened, the wine will remain fresh in the refrigerator for up to a month.

Pepperwood Grove Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting Notes

Dark ruby color with a nose full of raspberries, cedar, and subtle savory herbs. After the inviting nose entices you to take a sip, you will experience the flavors of rich blackberry cobbler, fresh raspberry jam, and caramel oak tones with integrated hints of basil and fresh figs.

Awards

Pepperwood Grove wines have been awarded over 35 “Best Values” and “Best Buys” from major wine publications over the last 20 years.

http://spiritofwine.blogspot.com/2010/10/practically-free-big-green-box-wines.html

http://isantetalk.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-big-green-box-winethumbs

Learn More

http://www.donandsons.com/ourwine/biggreenbox/

http://www.aboutboxedwine.com/boxed-wine-is-good/discover-rate-review/

The Pepperwood Grove BIG GREEN BOX offers all the convenience of a 3L bag-in-box, produced by a company with a long track record of producing great wine at reasonable prices.  In fact, Pepperwood Grove has been winning the hearts and minds of consumers for 20 years! 

Varietals offered in the BIG GREEN BOX include Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Once opened, the wine will remain fresh in the refrigerator for up to a month. 

Pepperwood Grove Old Vine Zinfandel Tasting Notes

Our non-vintage Old Vine is deep purple in color and has a bouquet of blackberry cobbler, fresh figs, currants, and cloves.  This is a rich full-bodied Zinfandel with notes of dried fruit, fresh blackberries, caramel, pipe tobacco, Zin spice, and finishing with tones of rich French oak.

Awards

Pepperwood Grove wines have been awarded over 35 “Best Values” and “Best Buys” from major wine publications over the last 20 years.

http://spiritofwine.blogspot.com/2010/10/practically-free-big-green-box-wines.html

http://isantetalk.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-big-green-box-winethumbs

Learn More

http://www.donandsons.com/ourwine/biggreenbox/

http://www.aboutboxedwine.com/boxed-wine-is-good/discover-rate-review/

In a large sauce pan, combine

• 4 cups of apple cider
• 5 cups of red wine, (Cabernet Sauvignon is recommended)

For great cabernet sauvignon that comes in a box, check out www.aboutboxedwine.com/category/wine/varietals/cabernet-sauvignon

• ¼ cup of Honey
• 4 Cloves
• 3 Star of Anise
• 2 Sticks of Cinnamon
• 1 Orange-Juiced

Let simmer for 10 minutes.

Before serving, place a piece of orange zest in each glass and strain wine with colander to remove cloves, star of anise and cinnamon sticks.

This recipe should make six servings.
Cheers!

What is Mulled Wine anyway?

In medieval times, heated wines were called Ypocras or Hipocris, named after ‘the father of medicine,’ the Greek physician Hippocrates. Purer than the water in those days, it was thought to be a very healthy drink. During the 1500′s, the mulling of clarrey, or bordeaux wine, sweetened with honey and spiced with cinnamon and cardamon was popular.

There are various types of mulled wine and many countries have their own versions and names for this heated beverage. Other types and names for mulled wine include:

• Glögg – in Scandinavian countries, it is spiced with ginger, cloves and cinnamon. Sugar is added to the red wine and brandy or vodka is sometimes also added.
• Glühwein – “glowing wine”, in Germany.
• Vin brulé – “burnt wine”, in Italy.
• Grzane wino – “heated wine”, in Poland.
• Varené wino – “boiled wine”, in Slovakia.
• Forralt bor – “boiled wine”, in Hungary.
• Quentão – in Brazil, it is made using cachaça, an alcoholic beverage made from fermented sugar cane mixed with spices. In some parts of the country though these days, cachaça has been replaced for the more common red wine.

Read more at Suite101: Mulled Wine Recipe: Including a Brief History and Alternative Names for Hot Wine http://www.suite101.com/content/mulled-wine-recipe-a179247#ixzz14zfR0COF

Fine dry white wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety. Ideal to be drunk young, it does not require an aging process. Vigorous on the palate, this ruby-red colored wine denotes fruity aromas.

Learn More

Vinicolaperini.com.br

Fine dry red wine made from Merlot grape variety. It is ruby-red colored with aromas of red fruit such as cherry and a hint of spices. Well structured, it is soft and balanced on the palate.

Learn More

Vinicolaperini.com.br

Fine dry white wine made from Moscato variety. It exhibits bright greenish color, intense and delicate aroma which makes it the most traditional white wine in Serra Gaucha.

Learn More

Vinicolaperini.com.br

Tasting Notes

Miolo Terranova Chenin Blanc is a white aromatic wine produced from chenin blanc grapes, with light structure and best served while young. The wine’s color is light straw yellow, shiny, with a touch of green hues. The wines aroma is lively and delicate and medium intensity with scents of white fruit such as pears and floral aromas. Aroma descriptors include; jasmine, geranium, tutti-frutti, guaraná, white wild flowers, citrus fruits. This Chenin Blacn has a light body, roundness, low acidity, and a floral taste, with medium persistence in the mouth, and a smooth slightly fruity finish. This wine’s Ideal serving temperature is between 6 to 8ºC.

Food Pairings

Miolo Terranova Chenin Blanc pairs well with mild Indian sauces and dishes from northeastern Brazil, such as pirão (fish broth thickened with manioc meal) and shrimp bobó (shrimp stew). This wine isa also good with dishes with leeks and garlic, green and flower salads, stuffed green peppers, cod croquettes and seafood.

Learn More

Miolo.com.br