Alileo Wines: Sicilian, Organic Boxed Wines

As I've mentioned before, boxed wines generally have a poor reputation in many circles. It's often thought only cheap, mass produced wines are placed into boxes and that's true in some cases. However, there are wineries that produce tasty and higher quality wines in boxes, and I've positively reviewed some over the years.

There are advantages to boxed wines over glass bottled wines. First, once you open the wine, if properly stored, the boxed wine will keep fresh for about a month, much longer than a bottle once you open it. Second, the boxed packaging is more environmentally friendly in a few ways. For example, it weighs less than glass bottles so transportation expenses and fuel expenditures are less. 

I was recently contacted by representatives of Alileo Wines, a Sicilian, natural boxed wine brand, and offered samples of two of their wines. The company was founded by Antonio Bertone and Alexandra Drane, a husband and wife, and is a partnership with Antonio’s family in Sicily. "The brand was started to pay homage to their family’s Sicilian roots as well as give their family in Sicily upward economic mobility." 

Their organic boxed wines are produced using traditional methods with grapes from the west coast of Sicily. Wine production uses spontaneous fermentation, without added yeast, and it's boxed unfiltered. Alileo offers four varietals that come in 1.5 liter ($19.99) and 3.0 liter ($39.99) boxes. The 1.5 liter box is equivalent to two bottles of wine, and the 3 liter box is equivalent to four bottles.

Sustainability is a dominant value for Alileo, in all aspects of their operations. The packaging of their boxed wines is produced with less energy than glass bottles, and the packaging is also an easier recycled product. Boxed wines also can fit more wine in each shipment than bottles, resulting in lower fuel consumption and fewer emissions. Plus, all of these factors have lowered their operational costs, and they have passed those savings onto their customers, with lower wine prices.

Alileo Wines has also received a B Corp™ certification. "B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials." World wide, only about 100 wineries have B Corp certification. “From the first conversations about Alileo around our family’s dining table in 2020, we have always had our commitment to our environment, community and team at the forefront of every decision we make,” said Antonio Bertone. 

The Alileo Wines Young Bianco is produced from young Grillo grapes, a grape whose origins are unknown although it has been known to be on Sicily since at least 1897. Through DNA analysis, it was learned that Grillo is a natural cross between Catarratto Bianco and Muscat of Alexandria. With a bright yellow color, and a 12.5% ABV, the wine had a pleasing nose of citrus and floral notes, both which come out on the palate as well. It is fresh and clean, with good acidity, savory and herbal notes, and a pleasant finish. An excellent summer wine.   

The Alileo Wines Rosato Bronzato is produced from 100% Syrah and has a 12% ABV. "Bronzato" means "tanned by the sun," but it's also a slang term for "someone who partakes in some sporty imbibing." For Alileo, they use the term to reference the "feeling of being tanned by the sun," as if you're drinking the wine on a sunny beach. With a dark pink color, and a fruity aroma, the wine is fresh and crisp, with a medium-body and tasty, bright flavors of red fruit, especially cherry, and a savory element. Excellent on its own, and perfect for the summer, but it's very food friendly as well. 

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With the sustainability advantages of boxed wine, as well as the fact that the Alileo Wines is using organic grapes, and numerous sustainability practices throughout their business, they have much to offer consumers. Most importantly, the wine is tasty and very reasonably priced, equal to an average of $10 for a 750ml bottle. And with summer coming, boxed wine is a great choice for taking on boats, to the beach, on picnics, hiking and more. You don't have to worry about glass potentially breaking or the need for a corkscrew. And it's easier to pack than several bottles of wine. 

It's only Natural to enjoy these Sicilian, organic boxed wines!