When CalNaturale wanted to send me some wine to test, I balked at first.  After all, I thought, I’m a whiskey man.  But, as often happens, when someone offers me free booze, I reconsider.  The box arrived from CalNaturale packed with two sizes of two flavors.  Offered in both 500 ml and 1 l resealable containers, I had the opportunity to test both the Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

The Taste Test

Like I say, I’m not a wine drinker, but after tasting CalNaturale, it seemed like pretty fair wine.  I know, it’s neither a ringing endorsement nor critic but coming from a novice, I think this is as close as I’m willing to get.  However, I can envision this wine tasting much better after a day hike or camp session with your buddies or best girl.  After all, the outdoors make everything taste better, and I’m sure that would naturally follow suit here.  Am I right?

The Pack Test

While CalNaturale is not strictly intended for backpacking only, I felt like I needed to atleast give it a go in my Gregory z55.  The 500 ml fit nicely in the rear compartment and while I may rethink it if I’m going purely on weight, depending on where your going, what your doing and who your with, I can see this as a nice-to-have item if the situation lent itself to carrying mojo juice.  While I would consider the larger 1 liter too big for a pack the 500 ml comes in at just over 1 pound and is more agreeable to lugging around until you’ve decided to quench your thirst.  Of course, if your a big wine drinker, 2.5 pounds of booze might suit you.  Again, it just depends.

DID YOU KNOW – California Natural Products was started by Pat Mitchell in 1980 as an R&D Company and began producing product in flexible packaging in 1994. Since collaborating on the first launch of wine in Tetra Pak cartons in the U.S. in 2004, CNP has packed over 2 million cases.

What I Liked

• The grapes used in making CalNaturale are certified organic and come from Mendocino, California.
• The cartons that the wine comes shipped in are made primarily from paper (not plastic) and use less than half the energy of traditional glass bottles to manufacture.

What I Didn’t Like

After drinking 1 liter of 13% wine, there isn’t much I don’t like.  OK, maybe one thing.  From my pack test I found that one of the tetra boxes sprung a leak at the seam between the “box” and the screw on lid.  The other three didn’t so this may be considered an anomaly.  A situation that is easily resolved with a freezer bag, which I would employ in real world situation anyway.

Conclusion

I found that CalNaturale is actually a very good wine.  If I sound surprised I am, partly based upon my past experiences with lesser box wines that may have played a role in a college party long, long ago and far, far away.  I’d have to give equal favor to both the Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay as they stood up to more expensive bottles I rustled up at my local Fred Meyer.  Again, I do not consider myself even a novice wine taster but hats off to these folks.  I think they’ve come up with a great product that portable, more friendly to the environment, and better for the consumer.  And no, that’s not the booze talking.

Diclosure: CalNaturale sent me these products free of charge for my honest opinion and review.