EP 367 Box Wine Tasting

Can box wine be good? That is a question that maybe taking a very interesting spin in a new direction, as more and more under 25 year old wine drinkers enter the wine market wineries are thinking of new ways to brand to that demo and today Gary Vaynerchuk tastes some of the newer efforts in the market.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Bandit Pinot Grigio
2006 Bota Box Chadonnay

2004 Cuvee de Pena
2005 Thirsty Lizard Shiraz

Links mentioned in todays episode.

Latest Comment:

View More

John__J

I'm open to wines in a box, although I feel dubious about them and have never bought one and don't have any plans to. I'm definitely not into wines in a can however, I know Coppola's even doing one of those. I tasted a cuvee de pena rose in a bottle, it wasn't awful for the $2 or 3.99 it cost wholesale.

Tags: Box, chardonnay, pinot grigio, red, review, shiraz, Video, white, wine, wines

Episodes >


  • QOTD- Worst… Applebee’s ‘shoe-like’ steak in 2004, never been back! Best… from a joint locally called ‘The Keg’ (might be a chain). Very juicy, cooked to perfection! Totally surprised me! Maybe it’s due to the fact I didn’t go in with a ‘comparable to Ruth’s Chris’ mentality.

  • JC

    QOTD: The best steak was in Phoenix on McCollock can not remember the name of the place, great sirloin. Worse steak has to be here, sorry to say, off the grill.

  • QOTD: Best steak? Simon’s Catch outside of Elk City, OK. Awesome KC strips.

    Worst steak? Couch Cafeteria, University of Oklahoma campus, Norman, OK. But the price was right, so I can’t complain too much.

  • BF

    QOTD: Worst steak: my wedding! (it was cold). Best: buffalo steak at Mr. B’s Steakhouse in Milwaukee.

  • J.R. Young

    Best Steak:
    Best Overall: Numerous Elk Tenderloins (self harvested)
    Best Daily: Whole Foods Dry Aged, or WF Organic Grass Fed
    Worst: Any mass production cow that has been living in it’s own fecal matter while being fed a healty dose of corn, antibiotics and hormones. If it couldn’t live on it’s own, I don’t want to eat it.

  • amaroneisforeveryone

    Oh Gary, I can’t believe you wasted air-time on box wine! That stuff is crap!

  • QOTD: Best steak? Simon’s Catch outside of Elk City, OK. Awesome KC strips.

    Worst steak? Couch Cafeteria, University of Oklahoma campus, Norman, OK. But the price was right, so I can’t complain too much.

  • BF

    QOTD: Worst steak: my wedding! (it was cold). Best: buffalo steak at Mr. B’s Steakhouse in Milwaukee.

  • J.R. Young

    Best Steak:
    Best Overall: Numerous Elk Tenderloins (self harvested)
    Best Daily: Whole Foods Dry Aged, or WF Organic Grass Fed
    Worst: Any mass production cow that has been living in it’s own fecal matter while being fed a healty dose of corn, antibiotics and hormones. If it couldn’t live on it’s own, I don’t want to eat it.

  • amaroneisforeveryone

    Oh Gary, I can’t believe you wasted air-time on box wine! That stuff is crap!

  • best steak – ny strip that i make.
    sear 1 minute per side. finish in oven.
    worst – most restaurants.

  • CGTombstone

    I got a box of Cotes Du Rhone from the shop here and the first sip was not good. Because it is in the bag (no air) you have to pour the glass an hour before you drink it (or put some in a decanter before dinner). Could that have been some of what was going on with the Cuvee?

    QOTD: The Steak Tartar at the University Club in Chicago.

  • best steak – ny strip that i make.
    sear 1 minute per side. finish in oven.
    worst – most restaurants.

  • CGTombstone

    I got a box of Cotes Du Rhone from the shop here and the first sip was not good. Because it is in the bag (no air) you have to pour the glass an hour before you drink it (or put some in a decanter before dinner). Could that have been some of what was going on with the Cuvee?

    QOTD: The Steak Tartar at the University Club in Chicago.

  • BruceP

    QOTD: Best steak ever. A piece of Kobe beef (from Australia) cooked on a hot stone in a restaurant in Balikpapan on the island of Borneo. Worst steak ever, theoretically probably some school lunch form the past, but for memory I’ll go with one we cooked at a fly-in fishing camp a few years ago. We left it in the cooler for probably about 2 days too long (it started out frozen). Mmmmmm. e.coli.

  • BruceP

    QOTD: Best steak ever. A piece of Kobe beef (from Australia) cooked on a hot stone in a restaurant in Balikpapan on the island of Borneo. Worst steak ever, theoretically probably some school lunch form the past, but for memory I’ll go with one we cooked at a fly-in fishing camp a few years ago. We left it in the cooler for probably about 2 days too long (it started out frozen). Mmmmmm. e.coli.

  • Dave

    QOTD: Best steak – Sundance Mine Co Restaurant, Worst steak – McRib

  • portland guy

    Very interesting episode. QOTD – Best – Morton’s. Worst – US Army Field Mess.

  • Dave

    QOTD: Best steak – Sundance Mine Co Restaurant, Worst steak – McRib

  • portland guy

    Very interesting episode. QOTD – Best – Morton’s. Worst – US Army Field Mess.

  • natb

    Great show, I will have to look at boxed wines again. Best steak Deluxe (wilmington, nc) worst steak friend made me and my buddies flank steak on the grill. Little tough.

  • Tommy Vernieri

    Hey, cool. I just bought my first box wine this weekend. Thanks Gary for doing this episode Gary. Unfortunately I got the Green Path Chardonnay from Whole Foods. I’m not impressed. Tasting note on it’s way on the “What are you Drinking” forum.

    Super pumped about the prize for the next contest.

    Is that Christmas pack really sold out just 20 minutes after the video went up? That’s insane! It does make me feel better though, that would not have been in my wine budget this month.

  • natb

    Great show, I will have to look at boxed wines again. Best steak Deluxe (wilmington, nc) worst steak friend made me and my buddies flank steak on the grill. Little tough.

  • Tommy Vernieri

    Hey, cool. I just bought my first box wine this weekend. Thanks Gary for doing this episode Gary. Unfortunately I got the Green Path Chardonnay from Whole Foods. I’m not impressed. Tasting note on it’s way on the “What are you Drinking” forum.

    Super pumped about the prize for the next contest.

    Is that Christmas pack really sold out just 20 minutes after the video went up? That’s insane! It does make me feel better though, that would not have been in my wine budget this month.

  • Dr T from N. Carolina

    Christmas pack sold out tomorrow? It was somehow sold out by the 12th comment! Did someone order a few hundred as gifts?

    Anyway, QOTD — best steak was a pair of Omaha steaks (I’m probably disqualified from the contest now), pan fried and then broiled I made for New Year’s Eve 1999, if only because that was when my now-wide and I gor serious and I’m not allowed to give any other answer. Worst . . . there have been so many as people have tried to make due with inferior cuts prepared badly.

    “T”

  • Tommy Vernieri

    Hey natb, cool. I’ll have to check out Deluxe next time I’m visiting my parents in Wilmington.

  • QOTD:

    The bast steak I ever had was one that was prepped at home, I “marinated” it for three days in an asian style. Then melted butter and let it soak that up for a day. Cooked for 3-4 minutes on the grill over a low flame. Basted while cooking with the asian mix and butter combined. Wow, that was amazing.

    Worst: A local diner had a T-Bone steak special for 10 dollars or so, I said medium rare, it came well done with char marks. I said yo waiter whats this, he said it was medium. Never been back since.

  • Dr T from N. Carolina

    Christmas pack sold out tomorrow? It was somehow sold out by the 12th comment! Did someone order a few hundred as gifts?

    Anyway, QOTD — best steak was a pair of Omaha steaks (I’m probably disqualified from the contest now), pan fried and then broiled I made for New Year’s Eve 1999, if only because that was when my now-wide and I gor serious and I’m not allowed to give any other answer. Worst . . . there have been so many as people have tried to make due with inferior cuts prepared badly.

    “T”

  • Tommy Vernieri

    Hey natb, cool. I’ll have to check out Deluxe next time I’m visiting my parents in Wilmington.

  • QOTD:

    The bast steak I ever had was one that was prepped at home, I “marinated” it for three days in an asian style. Then melted butter and let it soak that up for a day. Cooked for 3-4 minutes on the grill over a low flame. Basted while cooking with the asian mix and butter combined. Wow, that was amazing.

    Worst: A local diner had a T-Bone steak special for 10 dollars or so, I said medium rare, it came well done with char marks. I said yo waiter whats this, he said it was medium. Never been back since.

  • Robert C from Folsom Prison

    Worst stake – Outback Resturant must be getting horse meat. Best steak, grill my own Ribeye & paired it with a 94 Caymus.

  • Robert C from Folsom Prison

    Worst stake – Outback Resturant must be getting horse meat. Best steak, grill my own Ribeye & paired it with a 94 Caymus.

  • Timothy Burke

    Hey, another great episode, I’m going to look for that box of Bandit Pinot Grigio next time I’m at the Wine store I want to give it a shot.

    QOTD: I have to say the best steak I ever had was made by my Sister in Law I dont know what kind of steaks she uses’ but I swear on my life that it literally is the best steak I ever had. The worst steak I had ever had I believe was one that I actually made. I was craving a T-Bone and I went to the store got myself a good looking steak, and I ended up over cooking it (I like mine Medium Rare) and It was just simply well done, to well done for me. I took two bites and threw the rest out.

  • Timothy Burke

    Hey, another great episode, I’m going to look for that box of Bandit Pinot Grigio next time I’m at the Wine store I want to give it a shot.

    QOTD: I have to say the best steak I ever had was made by my Sister in Law I dont know what kind of steaks she uses’ but I swear on my life that it literally is the best steak I ever had. The worst steak I had ever had I believe was one that I actually made. I was craving a T-Bone and I went to the store got myself a good looking steak, and I ended up over cooking it (I like mine Medium Rare) and It was just simply well done, to well done for me. I took two bites and threw the rest out.

  • Chris Barnes

    QOTD

    Best steak ever was probably at Bohannon’s in San Antonio. (Runners up, Gibsons in Chicago, St Elmos in Indianapolis, Chops City Grill in Bonita Springs, FL, and that place in Tampa.. 🙂 )

    Worst steak was Applebee’s without a doubt.

    Chris Barnes

  • Josh in Burgundy

    Interesting episode with the box wines. I will have to see if I can find the P.G. when I get back to the states.

    QOTD: Best steak I ever had: A porter house that I prepared myself, tried something a little different and it turned out amazing. Worst steak I ever head: A 64 ounce beast of a steak named TYRONE in high school on a baseball road trip. It was actually a good steak but after about a pound and a half it all tasted the same and by the end it was absolutely punishing me. Ate it in just over 45 minutes though and got my name engraved on a plaque.

  • Interesting episode. My wife loves PG during the summer. I may have to have her try the Bandit, as she of course, loves the Santa Margherita.

    QOTD: The best steak I have ever had: MY OWN — Steak Au’Poivre (made with 1 3/4″ thick filets”)
    The worst steak? — (Hope my mom-in-law doesn’t read this) Hers. Honestly? Hockey pucks.

  • Chris Barnes

    QOTD

    Best steak ever was probably at Bohannon’s in San Antonio. (Runners up, Gibsons in Chicago, St Elmos in Indianapolis, Chops City Grill in Bonita Springs, FL, and that place in Tampa.. 🙂 )

    Worst steak was Applebee’s without a doubt.

    Chris Barnes

  • Josh in Burgundy

    Interesting episode with the box wines. I will have to see if I can find the P.G. when I get back to the states.

    QOTD: Best steak I ever had: A porter house that I prepared myself, tried something a little different and it turned out amazing. Worst steak I ever head: A 64 ounce beast of a steak named TYRONE in high school on a baseball road trip. It was actually a good steak but after about a pound and a half it all tasted the same and by the end it was absolutely punishing me. Ate it in just over 45 minutes though and got my name engraved on a plaque.

  • Interesting episode. My wife loves PG during the summer. I may have to have her try the Bandit, as she of course, loves the Santa Margherita.

    QOTD: The best steak I have ever had: MY OWN — Steak Au’Poivre (made with 1 3/4″ thick filets”)
    The worst steak? — (Hope my mom-in-law doesn’t read this) Hers. Honestly? Hockey pucks.

  • jonomck

    No christmas pack 🙁

    Best steak: MY steak au poivre!
    Worst steak: Steak and eggs at the Waffle House!

  • CindyW

    Fun episode. 🙂

    QOTD: I grew up on corn-fed farm-raised steaks from my grandparent’s Minnesota farm, and those were probably the best steaks around. I didn’t know how spoiled I was until the first time I went to a fancy restaurant on a date, ordered steak and lobster, and couldn’t bring myself to take more than one or two bites of the beef.

    Of course, I haven’t eaten beef in about 15 years now — sorry, but no steaks hit this vegetarian’s grill.

  • KVolk

    QOTD: No doubt best steak is the bone in Ribeye, aged, and seasoned cooked medium rare. The worst is any steak cooked past medium for sure and unseasoned too or the time I tried to pan fry in a cast iron skillet and it only tasted like metal, LOL…

  • jonomck

    No christmas pack 🙁

    Best steak: MY steak au poivre!
    Worst steak: Steak and eggs at the Waffle House!

  • CindyW

    Fun episode. 🙂

    QOTD: I grew up on corn-fed farm-raised steaks from my grandparent’s Minnesota farm, and those were probably the best steaks around. I didn’t know how spoiled I was until the first time I went to a fancy restaurant on a date, ordered steak and lobster, and couldn’t bring myself to take more than one or two bites of the beef.

    Of course, I haven’t eaten beef in about 15 years now — sorry, but no steaks hit this vegetarian’s grill.

  • KVolk

    QOTD: No doubt best steak is the bone in Ribeye, aged, and seasoned cooked medium rare. The worst is any steak cooked past medium for sure and unseasoned too or the time I tried to pan fry in a cast iron skillet and it only tasted like metal, LOL…

  • Dan F.

    QOTD: Best: bone-in filet mignon. Worst: does steakems count as steak?

  • Adam J

    QOTD: Best straight up steak I’ve had was at an old style restaurant called Smoky’s. Thick, juicy and delicious.

    Digging the boxed wine episode Gary, but those huge packages take up a lot of screen real estate.

  • chitown_wino

    Best Steak- I have a butcher that cuts a porterhouse to order, so I get them cut 1 1/2″ thick. Salt, pepper and little olive oil and throw ’em on a grill that is as hot as it will get. Mmmmm.

    Worst steak- the meat that is called steak that is served along with eggs at just about any greasy spoon.

  • Golfer Gary

    The best steak ever was (as I mentioned a few episodes ago), at Ruth’s Chris steak house in Lahaina on Maui. The worst ever was when a friend of mine was cooking up some cheaper steaks, it was sunny out and he had rose colored sun glasses on. That caused him to keep thinking that the steaks were not done. Waaaaay over cooked. Great show by the way.

Close

Not Subscribed to WLTV yet?

Never miss an episode and get notifications on the hottest wine deals!

No thanks.