As someone who recalls those student parties through a prism of cheap boxed wine, ‘When in Rome,’ the UK’s first premium ‘bag in a box’ wine company certainly have their work cut out, trying to convince me to relinquish my cherished bottle of wine and rethink the concept of wine in a box.

Their eco credentials are certainly impressive; recyclable cardboard rather than glass bottles, economic storage in the fridge, and a smaller carbon footprint than their glass competitors.

Each box contains the equivalent of three bottles which seems more like magic than science to me, given the size of the box.

Whilst I can shamefacedly admit to a misspent youth as a student, my wife rarely drinks alcohol. To open a bottle, I have to commit to drinking it over two sittings, or use up what’s left in cooking. (First world problems I know)

 

In the box, the wine remains as fresh as when first opened for up to 6 to 8 weeks. I can now have just one glass with supper and no pressure to drink more, ‘so as not to waste it.’

Being sold on the packaging is all very well, but what about the wine itself?

The wine we are here to taste is Grillo from Sicilly and where better to taste it than in a Sicilian Restaurant in the heart of London’s West End, where Enzo Oliveri, the chef and owner of ‘Tasting Sicily, Enzo’s  Kitchen’, created delicious food to show off the versatility of Grillo.

The Grillo Grape more usually associated with Masala wine but here presented to great effect as fresh, crisp and dry, easily cutting through Olive tapenade, Arancini and roasted and salted vegetables.

On the tongue Kumquat, lemon grass, wild flowers that speak of spring and early summer and yet somehow perfect in winter.

I can see this as a great addition to picnics, trips to the beach or boating on the river and those Christmas parties when you don’t know how many guests to expect.

The Grillo retails at £25.99 (one box is the equivalent of 3 bottles)

Whilst enjoying the Grillo it would have been rude not to taste the red, Nero D’Avola, which is the perfect accompaniment to pasta in tomato sauce, so I for one will be looking out for both.

Available at Waitrose, Harvey Nicholls and some independent wine merchants.

When in Rome can be contacted at www.wheninromewine.co.uk

Enzo’s kitchen can be contacted at Info@tastingscicily.returant