Despite the improvements in packaging technology, wine is still almost universally packaged in bottles.  While box wine has made some improvements in it’s reputation (largely from having other choices than Franzia),  it still hasn’t cracked most people’s consciousness.  The problem with both large boxes and bottles, and that from a transport perspective, they just aren’t convenient.  Enter Wine Cube Pinot Grigio, a convenient, if terrifyingly best by dated, screw cap wine offered by Target for around $5.

Sight:  Clear, platinum even, just the slightest hint of yellow.

Smell:  Juicy pears jump out from the glass, and are complimented by lemon pith and peach.  The nose is mostly pear like but it pulls in hints of apricots.

Sip:  It doesn’t quite make the same level of vibrance of fruit flavors on the palate as it achieves in the nose.  The flavors washout into lemon peel, unripe apricots, and peach skin.  There’s an interestingly powdered texture feeling to the wine, and the body is rather heavy feeling.  A certain bitterness lingers in the background. [A.B.V. 13.5%]

Savor:  The ending is still bitter, and no particular fruit flavor jumps out to the for front.  A slightly chemical like taste lingers with hints of lemon pith.

Based on the nose, I’m super disappointed in Wine Cube Pinot Grigio.  When I opened it, I was thoroughly prepared for not another innocuous, bland white, but rather, a bit fruit bowl in a glass. Then, on the sip, it just all fell apart.  While I don’t think it’s the packaging, the texture and flavors are odd, and haven’t been in the vast number of wines of tasted.  If you’re desperate from something that doesn’t come in a breakable vessel, Wine Cube Pinot Grigio might be a good choice, but if you’d like to enjoy the wine, I’m afraid I can’t recommend it.

Verdict:  Fruity Nose, Chemical Finish, Powdery Body
Price: $4.99
California