PACKAGING
These days plenty of boxes come with premium wines inside from growing regions like Napa and the Central Coast. Look for smaller boxes, slightly larger than those square facial tissue boxes. Usually they are brightly colored and eschew the typical imagery of glassware and grapes. They will also be a bit pricier, but less than buying the equivalent amount of wine in bottle. A small box is usually the equivalent of four bottles of wine and will cost around $20 to $25. So really you’re only shelling out five to seven bucks a bottle for pretty good wine that might normally sell for $10 or more.

Once you’ve got the box out of the store, remove the cardboard package to reveal the Mylar bag inside. Like a water-balloon full of wine, it’s very flexible and conveniently fits in a small six-pack style cooler. And when you’re out and about, it makes for a great little “bota bag” that can be passed around at concerts or picnics, even sans glassware. Cool trick, huh?

WINE
The main rule here is keep it light, white and inexpensive, and you really can’t go wrong. When you’re about to buy the wine think: would I be okay putting and ice cube and an orange slice in this? Seriously, this is summer, and nobody is “seriously” drinking wine. It’s all about the fun. Think beach time. Think convertible cars. Think impromptu picnic under a shady tree.

General categories I like are Spanish and Rhone Valley whites between $9 and $15; unoaked or very lightly oaked California Chardonnay under $18; New Zealand or California Sauvignon Blanc, Oregon Pinot Gris and South of France Rosé under $12; Alsatian Rieslings or Gewurztraminers under $15; Italian Brachetto (sparkling red) under $18, and Italian Prosecco (Sparkling White) under $15. Go for it!

WINE SLEEVES
If you’re going to get bottles of wine like above, get yourself a handy wine-carrying sleeve. Don’t get anything fancy or made out of cloth or embroidered with silly grape designs. Avoid anything that has a drawstring. And you certainly don’t need anything that carries six bottles or more!

I like the one- or two-bottle thermal carrying sleeves made out of the same material they make wetsuits with, or the material used for sleeping bag mats. These sleeves fit the bottle like a glove, keep wine cold for hours, and come in great bold colors for summer. You don’t have to worry about them getting wet, and they also protect the bottle from breakage. Be sure to get one with built-in handles at the top for easy carrying. Best of all, you can find them for under $10 at most wine shops. (Buy a few in order to carry more wine— you’ll thank me later.)

ACCOUTREMENTS
Bring a few corkscrews (they get lost), citrus slices and plenty of ice. Sturdy, clear, plastic glassware in the shape of a wineglass is essential. Don’t forget to bring lots of drinking water, too. Have fun!

Created for Barbara Adams Beyond Wonderful by
Wine Expert, Michael De Loach.