Saturday, October 28, 2006

The Box Wine Guy Reviews Franzia Chillable Red

Yesterday the Box Wine Guy (the king of box wine in the blogging world) reviewed Franzia Chillable Red. The Box Wine Guy has reviewed some very fine boxed wines, and very seldom slums in this fashion. But, what the heck, he tasted it at an event, and so passes on to us his opinion.

We admit it - we didn’t actually buy this wine. We had an opporunity to taste it at an event, so why not report on it? Franzia Chillable Red has little detectable aroma. Its flavor is a thin-bodied sweet cherry flavor, and the finish is more or less non-existent. This is a wine with few redeeming values. As an alternative to a soft drink, for chugging in a cold state, perhaps it might suffice. It barely deserves the “wine” designation, though. We’d recommend steering clear of this one.

Wines » Franzia Chillable Red


Actually, this is one of those products which the State of Washington is questioning (see Boxed Wine Spot post, 10/23). The Washington State Liquor Control Board is considering enforcing its own rules regarding what can be called wine and what can't. Franzia Chillable Red is one of the Franzia products labled as "Table Wine with Natural Flavors".

If the board sticks to its guns on this issue, it will make regulatory history, because until now, nobody, not even the fearsome federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, has ever had the guts to take on the makers of beverages compounded of tap water, flavorings, grain alcohol, and, oh yes, some fermented grape juice, and threaten to deprive them of their God-given right to call the resulting mouthwash "wine."

Sips: Wine vs. 'Wine' (Seattle Weekly)


Gallantly, the Box Wine Guy tasted the "mouthwash", so we don't have to. Don't miss his many excellent reviews of good boxed wines on Box Wines blog.

technorati tags: , , , , ,

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

The box-wine guy is a classic dumbass... the stuff is okay depending on your mood, finances and how much of a egotistical conneseur you consider yourself.

....

JoelsBlog said...

Wine snobbery has gotten out of hand. I like Chillable Red when I want something light, easy and inexpensive. Also it is only 9% alcohol so it probably is better for you. If you like it, that's OK. Don't let the wine snobs run your life.

dancer55 said...

I dont think this box wine guy knows what he is looking for. I found this an extremely mellow wine for being a red wine. It did not leave any after taste. I want something light. It was a nice change.

Unknown said...

I dislike wine as a rule but Chillable Red won me over with its mellow taste and the fact it didn't knock me out with one sip. I also liked the fact it has no after taste. I don't need an obnoxious wine and this is it. I can't wait to try Franzia's other wines.

80HD said...

My Dad drink Chillable Red, because he likes lighter red wines, and honestly the box IS damn convenient.

I wouldn't buy it, personally, but I drink it when I am at their house. It certainly isn't some uber snob wine... it should probably be called an "alcoholic beverage", but it's definitely not mouthwash.

There are definitely $50+ bottles of wine out there I would consider less favorably than Chillable Red, for taste and value.

This too shall pass said...

I think the boxed wine is ok. I agree with othe posters, depending on the mood and financial state - the wine is not half bad.

Cameo said...

NOW COME ON! WHO WANTS A WINE THAT PUCKERS YOUR MOUTH AND CURLS YOUR TOES COMPARED TO A WINE THAT IS PLEASANT TO DRINK? YOU WINE SNOBS CAN DRINK ALL THE SOUR WINE IN THE FANCY BOTTLES YOU WANT. AND WE WISE INTELLIGENT WINE TASTERS CAN DRINK AND ENJOY OUR BOXED WINE AND LAUGH AT YOU WINE SNOBS All NIGHT.

Unknown said...

Not bad for a beverage, Probably
healthier than Soda...

Anonymous said...

franzia chillable red is NOT wine.

Yes, it might be pleasant to drink to some, and no one can argue with that, but, it does not even smell like wine, or taste like ANY wine I have ever tried.

It should NOT be called wine. How about, "grape juice w/a bit of alcohol"?

Unknown said...

Fruity sangria is another tasty franzia

Anonymous said...

I can not disagree with your comment. I love the stuff, I guess because this is the type of flavor I expected. Growing up seeing actors drinking wine like it was delicious and refreshing. So I have a large glass or two of chillable red every day. I just like the taste