Due to popular demand, here is the boxed wine review for red wine (vino tinto)!
I got my hubby (a red wine connoisseur) to help with this one, here he is, in all his blind-folded glory:
Presenting – the Battle of the Red Boxes – Greggorio style:
PEÑASOL Vino Tinto
Made in: Spain
Cost (1 L box): c2,928 ($5.85)
Alcohol: 12%
Smell: “No smell. Maybe I’m stopped up or something? I don’t smell anything.”
Taste: “Not really a taste to this. I must say I kind of like it though.”
UVITA Vino Tinto
Made in: Argentina
Cost (1 L box): c2,000 ($4.00)
Alcohol: 12.2%
Smell: “None. There’s no smell.”
Taste: “I like it.”
CLOS Cabernet Sauvignon
Made in: Chile
Cost (1 L box): c2,790 ($5.58)
Alcohol: 12%
Smell: “Doesn’t really smell like much. Maybe rotten grapes.”
Taste: “Don’t like too much (makes a grimace), but it’s OK. Not very flavorful. Un-describable.”
DON SIMON Vino Tino
Made in: Spain
Alcohol: 11%
Cost (1 L box): c1,500 ($3.00)
Smell: “Now, this one has a good smell!”
Taste: “Ew, has a bit of a bad after taste. But it’s ok, I could drink this.”
Greg’s conclusions:
Well, I wasn’t going to partake in the red wine taste testing, but after Greg’s review, I felt I must step in.
Battle of the Red Boxes – Jen style:
PEÑASOL Vino Tinto
Made in: Spain
Cost (1 L box): c2,928 ($5.85)
Alcohol: 12%
Smell: “Floral smells to it.”
Taste: “Too bright and dry for me. Don’t really care for. I think it’s Peñasol”
UVITA Vino Tinto
Made in: Argentina
Cost (1 L box): c2,000 ($4.00)
Alcohol: 12.2%
Smell: “Smells like a general house red wine.”
Taste: “Pretty good. I like it.”
CLOS Cabernet Sauvignon
Made in: Chile
Cost (1 L box): c2,790 ($5.58)
Alcohol: 12%
Smell: “Smells oak-y. Pretty good.”
Taste: “Has depth to it and is smooth, has hints of blueberries. I like!”
DON SIMON Vino Tino
Made in: Spain
Alcohol: 11%
Cost (1 L box): c1,500 ($3.00)
Smell: “Vinegar smell. Doesn’t smell like red wine. Yuck.”
Taste: “No good. Don’t care for. This has to be the Don Simon.”
Jen’s conclusions: Clos is the winner! Then Uvita, Peñasol and Don Simon.
Hope you enjoyed! Cheers! — Jen & Greg
Jen
I quit my job in my early 40’s, sold everything and retired early to live a simple life in Costa Rica!
Check out my book: "Costa Rica Chica" - the book.
Check out my Arm Candy: Costa Rica Chica Arm Candy.
Check out my book: "Costa Rica Chica" - the book.
Check out my Arm Candy: Costa Rica Chica Arm Candy.
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seems like uvita for the money is the red and white champs overall.
Yep! However, I could pour Greg the Don Simon for just c1,500 ($1 savings!) and he probably wouldn’t care or know the difference. 🙂
I have tried all of these wines. There is actually a better one than all of these. The Clos Carmenere. Since these are all young wines the carmenere grape, being a much earthier, stronger tasting grape actually tastes very good as a young wine. Check it out
Will do, West, thanks!
please guide me on how to get to the uvita and penasol vino tinto website i wish to import to africa
Love the video! Easy-to-please Greg — made me laugh!
Thanks Karen, he makes me laugh all the time too. 🙂
LOVE IT!!! I added both of your AWESOME links to a page I’ve started on Wines in CR!!
http://LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2014/07/WineInCR.html
Thanks, Vicki!
He looks more like a beer drinker anyway. Perhaps you both should do a wine appreciation course and buy slightly more expensive bottled wine….can you get australian wine in the ‘chateau cardboard’??
Enjoy your fun site.db.
He is definitely more a beer drinker! 🙂
Thanks for taking on this very serious, and important challenge. After all, someone has to do it!(Greg seemed very excited about testing all this stuff out!Ha Ha!) We’ve noted your recommendations.
Thanks! Please keep up the good work and let us know the outcome of your valid research! Have fun!!
Thank you Renee! 🙂
Hi Jen,
Just wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying your posts since I found your blog. You and Greg have such a fun way of turning all things Costa Rican into mini adventures. Wishing to retire there myself one day :). Reading your incites helps keep it real–hope you keep blogging for a long time!
Aw, thank you so much Julie in Colorado! 🙂
Hahaha this is great. Love that you kept the plastic cups to review the boxed wine. Greg appears to be a very willing if not eloquent reviewer. Perhaps the next reviews will include those of blind wine pairings? Which is the best with costa ricas national dish? Can any be a complement to pineapple? Those of us with future plans to retire there need to know these very important details.
I know, right – the plastic cups just go with it! 🙂 All good questions, will keep these in mind. Thanks, Lora!