How cool is this handy wine pouch?
It’s made by St. Helena’s Clif Family Winery, the founders of whom also invented Clif Bars. So, they ought to know what works and what doesn’t in the great outdoors, right?
It’s light, unbreakable, and supposedly has an 80 percent lower carbon footprint than two glass bottles, and 90 percent less waste and less landfill space than two glass bottles.
There’s even a built-in handle so you can hang it from a tree when you’re out camping or just wanting to free up table-space in the backyard.
Each pouch holds the equivalent of two 750-ml bottles and keeps the wine fresh for as long as a month after opening. Each pouch is a bargain $16.99, too.
Choose either a pouch of crisp, unoaked Chardonnay or Cabarnet Sauvignon. I had a chance to try a sample of the latter, which had balanced tannins, along with leathery, tar and deep blackberry jam notes.
Find the pouches at Berkeley Bowl in Berkeley, New Russian Hill Market in San Francisco, Sunshine Market in St. Helena, Vallergas in Napa, as well as online at ClimberPouch or ClifFamilyWinery.
Winner of Last Week’s Contest: In the most recent Food Gal contest, I asked you to tell me about a time when you really used your noodle, so to speak. The winner will receive four boxes of new Golden Grain 100% Whole Grain Pasta, plus a Cuisinart Chef’s Classic stainless steel four-piece, 12-quart pasta/steamer set.
Congrats to:
VeggieGirl, who wrote, “I was stuck in the woods without cell phone reception or ANY maps/compasses, and I have the worst sense of direction ever. After about 20 minutes, I was able to ‘use my noodle’ to get myself back to civilization by focusing on where sounds were coming from, how strong the sunlight was, and size of trees. Eventually (and after being traumatized), I found my friends and family, and vowed to never go back in the words. Thank goodness I used some sense though in the end to get back.”
More Interesting Wines: Annika Sorenstam’s Chardonnay
And: Saison’s Pinot Noir
And: “Top Chef” Wines