Boxed wine...on the go!

Boxed wine. Oh, how it brings back memories. Memories of "sophisticated" college parties complete with solo cups full of pinot grigio and chianti that tasted more like rocket fuel than fermented grapes. Memories of tubing down the Guadalupe in Texas, passing around the poly-bag of white zinfandel (the color making it looking more like a catheter bag than pouch of wine) kept chilled -- sans box -- in the cool waters of the river.

Boxed wine has always been dogged by the stigma of being cheap and well, bad. But not anymore.

Enter Three Thieves..."three guys who threw centuries of tradition and knowledge of wine making out the window and, in the process, changed the wine industry forever."

Not only is it good wine, its good boxed wine. And they make it portable, in 1 liter and 250 milliliter packages that somewhat resemble those boxed stocks you see in the grocery store. The Thieves call it Bandit. I call it genius.

Big deal, right? Yes! It's reasonably priced (around $10 for both sizes), resealable, recyclable, doesn't hog your fridge and is less likely to spoil, since you're not buying 17 gallons at once!

Plus, the mini Bandits are perfect for picnics --and you know how much The Diva likes her picnics! No more trying to uncork a bottle incognito in the park and pouring on the sly!

Three Thieves Bandit wines can be ordered online at www.threethieves.com. In Boston, I've only seen them at Best Cellars, but check with your local liquor store!

Fabulous Feasting,
The Diva.