Product Code Database
Boxed wine, also known as cask wine, bag-in-box wine, or goon, is any wine that is sold in bag-in-box packaging. The wine is stored in a strong, flexible Plastic bag made of synthetic plastic films which is held within in a corrugated cardboard box, with a one-way plastic valve for dispensing the wine.
Boxed wine is generally quite affordable. In Australia, boxed wine is often the cheapest type of alcohol available at liquor stores.
However, there are some negative perceptions associated with boxed wine. Some consider boxed wine to be lower quality compared to bottled wine, and that its bag-in-box packaging is unsuitable for wine. It has also been suggested that there is a socially determined bias against boxed wine.
In 1967, Australian inventor Charles Malpas and Penfolds Wines patented a plastic, air-tight tap welded to a metallised bladder, making storage more convenient. Modern wine casks use plastic taps which can be exposed by tearing away a perforation panel on the box. For the following decades, bag-in-box packaging was primarily preferred by producers of less expensive wines, as they were cheaper to produce and distribute than glass , which served a similar market.
In Australia, due to the difference in how wine is taxed compared to other alcoholic beverages, boxed wine is often the least expensive form of drinkable alcohol. A 4-litre cask of at least 9.5% alcohol can often be found for around . These attributes have led to boxed wine being widely available throughout Australia and holding a prominent place in Australian pop culture.
During the mid-1970s, the bag-in-box packaging concept expanded to other beverages, including spring waters, orange juices, and wine coolers.
In 2003, California Central Coast AVA-based Black Box Wines introduced mass premium wines in a box. Within the decade, premium wineries and bottlers began packaging their own high-quality boxed wine. This, coupled with an increased cultural interest in environmentally sustainable packaging has cultivated growing popularity with affluent wine consumers.
Typical bag-in-box containers hold one and a half to four 750 mL bottles of wine per box, though they come in a wide variety of volumes. Bag-in-box packaging is cheaper and lighter than glass-bottled wine.
The removal of wine from the flexible bag without adding air to fill the vacated space greatly reduces the oxidation of the wine during dispensing. Compared to bottle, which should be consumed within hours or days of opening, bag-in-box wine will not spoil for approximately 3–4 weeks after breaking the seal, or even longer if the wine is kept refrigeration after opening. In addition, it is not subject to cork taint. Wine contained in plastic bladders is not intended for Wine Cellar and should be consumed within the manufacturer's printed shelf life. Deterioration may be noticeable 12 months after filling.
Tyler Colman from The New York Times stated that bag-in-box is more environmentally friendly than bottled wine, as well as easier to transport and store.
Some manufacturers are now exploring alternative materials like stainless steel for aesthetic and durability reasons, particularly in premium boxed wine markets.
The word goon is derived from the word flagon, which is a traditional container for retailing inexpensive wine or vinegar. An occasional Australian pronunciation of the word flagon, perhaps with humorous intent, placed emphasis on the second syllable such that flagon came to be pronounced as "fla-goon", which was then shortened to simply "goon".
Additionally, in Australia the term "silverpillow" is used to refer to the habit of inflating the empty bag and using it as a headrest. It is also known as a cask in some outback areas.
In New Zealand, the term "Château Cardboard", originally a joking reference to the wine's container, has entered the vernacular to refer to box wine.Campbell, Bob " Chateau Cardboard – is boxed wine making a comeback?," businessdesk.co.nz, 19 September 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
In Finland, the terms are käsilaukku ("handbag"), humppakuutio ("Humppa Cube") and noppa (dice).
|
|
