We’ve written before about some local wine producers experimenting with lower-end, alternatively packaged wine. That said, we were intrigued this past weekend as we happened into our local Cost Plus World Market. After browsing through the wine selection, we headed for the exit and got a bit sidetracked by a large display near the summer BBQ paraphernalia.
Stacked about chest-high were a bunch of small white boxes, some with green text and some with red. Upon closer inspection, we learned the white box with green writing was “Wine 4 Chilling” and was a 2007 California White Wine. The white box with red text was “Wine 4 Grilling” and was a 2007 California Red Wine. The boxes hold three liters of wine (equivalent to 4 750ml bottles) and run $14.99 each (as the display said: “That’s only $3.75 per 750ml”). On the back in fine print we noted the product is from Trinchero Family Estates and it appears they’re being marketed as eco-friendly (due to the packaging) and long-lasting (each box will apparently keep for up to four-weeks).
After giving it some thought, we didn’t wind up buying a box–we’ve got a healthy backlog of some seriously great wines to enjoy. So, that’s where you come in. Has anyone out there given either the Wine 4 Chilling or Wine 4 Grilling a shot? If so, let us know in the comments what you though and if we should pick-up a box or two…
Update: The initial post mistakenly noted these wines were from the Terlato group, but they are indeed a product of Trinchero Family Estates. We regret the error and have updated this entry accordingly.
TechTags Plugin [ Napa | Napa Valley | wine | winery | Trinchero | Trinchero Family Estates | Trinchero Wine 4 Chilling | Trinchero Wine 4 Grilling | Cost Plus ]
{ 33 comments }
We bought this wine and were quite pleasantly surprised at how smooth it was! I’ve been a wine snob for some time and laughed at my parents for buying box wine, but now I’m sold. I recommend this as a good, inexpensive table wine.
I picked up a box of the red wine 4 grilling after noticing that it was a Zinfandel-based blend, along with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. I’ve been finding the best-priced wines in the market have been California Zin-based blends, along with Columbia Valley, WA Cabernet and Merlot-based blends.
My longtime girlfriend and I were very pleased at the quality of the wine for the money. Very full-bodied and lots of fruit.
This is regarding the red “wine 4 grilling”. I was hesitant to buy this wine. I am the only one in the house who drinks wine and I ususally try to buy inexpensive wines for everyday wine drinking ($6 to 8 per bottle). I bought the box and it stayed in my cupboard for weeks, I was thinking, “what if I open it and it’s awful? Then I’ll feel I have to drink it ALL 4 BOTTLES FULL!” But when I did, I was pleasantly suprised. It’s a great wine! Very smooth and drinkable. Amazing for the price! I am planning on buying several boxes!
I also consider myself somewhat snob-ish in the wine world. I bought the white (albeit I’m predominantly a red drinker) to go with a Thai seasoned Salmon over salad. I was curious to see how it would do with a spicy dish as an alternative to Riesling or Gewurz. Very surprised with nice acidity, floral notes, and balance. Somewhat heavier mouthfeel but not buttery or oaked up. This is definitely a great everyday drinker or even party wine.
A friend at work told me all about this wine. I RAN to the nearest cost-plus. It seems an employee said she worked for Menage a troi /folie a duex winery and that the boxed wine is exactly that……The bottle does read cab/zin/merlot which is exactly what the box reads…….Im now going to go buy the white!!!!!!
We found this wine at Cost Plus and people buying several boxes after Christmas. Because of their recomendations we bought the red. I have paid more a bottle and gotten less in quality.
I would love to find more of it
I bought the Red Wine 4 Grilling today at Cost Plus World Market. I am taking it on a cruise and thought it would be a lot easier to carry than bottles. I have also heard that it is exactly the same as Menage a’ Trois Red which is one of our favorites. I guess boxed wine has now achieved a new level of quality.
Three of us tried the Wine 4 Chilling around Christmas time and all agreed it tasted like a sugary soda pop. I wrote Trinchero about this dissatisfaction and they said they would send a check for the cost of the wine. Two months later, nothing! Repeated e-mails are never answered. Once bitten, twice shy, never again!
The local Cost Plus World Market is closing down! I bought 3 boxes of this wine to “hold me over”, until I can get to another store. Does anyone know where else (besides World Market) you can buy it? I live in Miami, FL.
Thanks,
Stacy
I just bought a box of Wine 4 Grilling from Cost Plus this weekend. It is WONDERFUL for a box! Plus it is on sale this week for $12! Mmmmm.
I was visiting KC and stopped by World Market since the wine was on sale. Some guy had been in and bought the whole case of red. I guess it is a good deal!
I, too, have been buying this for a while. I was drinking Menage a Trois (sp?) for $7/bottle from Costco for about six months, but had to look at shaving even a few more $$$ off of my wine budget. It’s now my “everyday” wine.
I just tried this wine yesterday at World Market where they were sampling the red and the white while I was shopping for patio furniture…and I thought it would be fun to have a boxed wine at a wine tasting I’m throwing for my wedding next month. I cracked open the red tonight to try a taste and it is really fantastic – better than a lot of reds I’ve gotten in the $10-$12 range, including the Trapiche Malbec which is one of my favorites in this price range, but I think I may like the boxed better – it is just really smooth. I am curious to see if it really lasts 4 weeks and stays fresh – I am skeptical, but that would be amazing if it still tastes the same as it does today even a week after I open it.
I like it… as I said before… if you are having a group over for some wine… and they all just drink wine…(not the 50$ bottle drinkers), The wine is great! We bought it in Florida, and took it home to MN. Now cannot find it…any help out there? I would love to go back just to get some for the summer on the pontoon,(no glass)…. now for a wine glass that does not tip over and break in the boat!!! If you can find it try it…for 14$ WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE?
The only place I have seen the wine is at World Market. Most world Markets run out of the red as soon as they get it. One store in Dallas sold an entire pallet to one guy the morning it arrived.
Just got back from the World Market in Tucson, AZ. and W/M informed me that they had discontinued the Wine4Grilling Red. We love this wine, does anyone know where to but it besides W/M.?
We’re looking into the status of the Wine4Grilling with Trinchero Family Estates, but they’re being (surprisingly) a bit difficult. We just picked up a box of the Red at our local World Market (they had the white as well), but granted, we’re in the Napa Valley so that may explain why it is still in stock…
Hi,
I live in Louisville, Ky. and I was also informed at World Market that they didn’t know when or if it would be available. I’m going to watch the comments, as well, to see where I can purchase some.
I just bought 2 cases of the Wine for Grilling at World Market in Oregon. They told me that they may be discontinuing it and that they may have received their last shipment. That is why I stocked up! I will check back later and let you all know…but that does not help you all over on the East Coast!
My name is Megan Steffen from Trinchero Family Estates. I’ve been reading the comments here and want to thank you for trying our wines and commenting! Wine 4 is a seasonal item produced twice a year, sold at Cost Plus World Market stores only. For the summer, we’ve released Wine 4 Red & White Sangria which is available nationally (and written about here: http://tinyurl.com/lj2lvo). In response to some of the comments above, I wanted to let you know that we are releasing Wine 4 Chilling White & Wine 4 Grilling Red wines again this fall in all Cost Plus World Market stores. Cheers!
Megan, thank you for the update. We fell in love with Wine 4 Grilling last summer but have been disappointed that we had not seen it at W/M this year. So glad to hear that it will be back in the fall, please keep it coming.
I stumbled across this wine several monthes ago and was amazed at its drinkability. The frugal connosieurs dream come true. When I have this wine in the house I no longer feel guilty about having wine with dinner every night.
I've had their Wine for Grilling many many times this past year. I've tasted a lot of reds and this was a completely different (and really nice) blend, very nice selection that this family put together. I'm no expert in wine but I do know my tastes – THIS wine was absolutely great! For a box wine it tastes great, doesn't go stale and is economical. Can't wait for it be available again this fall!!
I was devastated last week when I found the “magic box” was gone from my local Cost Plus. O.K., I'll try the sangria but please get the box of white gold back soon. thanks….doug
I love the Wine 4 Grilling! Returned to get more and alas, they were out. Seasonal and all, I'm disappointed.
ooops, didn't see the post below that it's coming back, yahooo!!! Love this wine.
I have been buying the Wine 4 Grilling Red for over a year now. I have yet to go any place where people have not raved about this wine. The most fun I have had with it was when I took the bladder out of the box, put the bladder in the bottom of a very large purse, covered it with diapers, a rattle, teething ring, etc, making it look like Grandmas purse and then sneaked it past security at an NBA game. To the pleasure of my guests, we drank GOOD wine all night!
We then took a box onto a cruise. Every night after dinner, we would sneak an empty bottle off the table, take it back to our cabin, refill it with the box wine and we were good to go. This is a great wine.
Has anyone seen the Wine 4 Grilling at World Market yet?
It is very good. It is comparable to a Chilean wine called Santa Ema.
Thank you World Market and the Trinchero Family Estate, I bought 6 boxes of Wine4Grilling today.
I have tried both of them and enjoy them both. In a box seems a little of of fashion but it is eco friendly and well wine is enjoyable. Cheers. We have bought several boxes and laugh when we tell our friends it “Boxed Wine” but they all enjoy it.
I just purchased a box of the red Wine 4 Grilling and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the wine. I have bought other box wines and had mixed feelings. I am generally a Pinot Noir fan but this mix is smooth and enjoyable. I highly recommend it for the price.
I have purchased the Wine 4 Chilling 2008 White Wine at my local WorldMarket as it was recommended to me by a customer and I was a customer too. The Wine is very very good, it is incredibly hard to find a boxed white wine that is good. I have bought several different brands and ended up trashing them because they were so bad. WorldMarket in Houston tells me they are not going to buy any more so now i am trying to figure out how to buy the rest of their stock…I thank you for the info on this wine as i could not find where it came from….I give it a 9.5 on a scale of 1 to 10.
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