Cask wine has struggled with a bad reputation in recent decades, but wine lovers seeking convenience and quality are finally changing that.
As Ten Daily recently noted: “The Sack Is Back!”
“In this age of smartphones, robot vacuum cleaners, and internet fridges, it would be silly to think that goon was immune to technological advancement. This advancement combined with some top wine producers decanting their drop into a cheeky bag means one thing – the sack is back … and it’s getting fancy!”
Wine writer and co-owner of P&V Wine & Liquor Merchants Mike Bennie told Broadsheet: “The purported severity of the hangover from the product itself has been an issue.
“[And] the correlation between alleged lower wine quality, affordability and the image of an inferior vessel from which to drink wine from have all conspired to give cask wine a bad name.
“But it’s a perfectly good and reliable way to store and pour wine, and a place in which innovation can flourish.”
Susan Kostrzewa, editor-in-chief of Wine Enthusiast Magazine has predicted that 2020 will be the year of “boxed wines, canned wines, wines in Tetra Pak, wines on the go”.
In the US, a wave of producers is packaging high-quality wine in both cans and boxes, with some foregoing bottles altogether.
She told SF Weekly the goal is more lifestyle oriented products — wines that you can throw in a bag and take with you to a picnic, or wines that you can drink on your own without having to worry about sealing again for the next time you plan to open a bottle.
“Cask wine is a great way to save space in the esky,” added Ricky Young, BWS Assist Category Manager. “With such a malleable form, cask wine is the ultimate drink to take camping, take on picnics or to your local summer BBQ.”
The alternative format is also easy on wallets and helps reduce the environmental impacts of wine production and consumption.
“Cask packaging lends to a significant reduction in transport emissions due to the material being considerably lighter than glass,” Young said. “In addition, the products are also packaged in fully recyclable outer cardboard.”
Young said the category is definitely on the rise in BWS stores.
“In the last year, we’ve seen great growth in the smaller format casks (2L & 3L).
“This is due to smaller format casks being extremely convenient and offering exceptional value for money.
“Some of our popular smaller format casks are In Top Company, Yalumba and Banrock Station. The growth in the last few years are an indication that customers are now realising the quality of cask wine is hugely comparable to bottled wine.”
Among his suggestions for wine lovers wanting to taste test the category are Yalumba Premium Sauvignon Blanc Cask 2L (RRP $16); Yalumba Classic Dry White Cask 2L (RRP $13); De Bortoli Premium Shiraz Cabernet Cask 4L ($21); Banrock Station Sauvignon Blanc Cask 2L (RRP $16); and Berri Estates Dolce Bianco Cask (RRP $16).
The only potential drawback for wine lovers? The Royal Australian College of Physicians (RACP) wants cask wine prices to increase dramatically.
Pictured main: Australian artist Norton Flavel created a giant goon bag as part of Sculptures by the Sea at Cottesloe Beach in 2014.
