When I heard about a wine that was packaged for convenience, with the idea of a busy, working mom in mind, I knew I had to check it out. Not because I thought, “Gosh, every mom needs her wine!” but because we’ve all had family outings, picnics with extended family, romantic hikes with our husbands, and beverages are always such a pain. At best they are inconvenient, and at worst, carrying a glass bottle around can be dangerous.
I received two samples from Xo, G Wine: the Moscato and the Pinot Noir/Pinot Grigio combination. There is also a Rosé and a pack that is just Pinot Noir. The boxes were packed responsibly, and I had to sign for the packages when they arrived and was carded by the FedEx guy. I know this wine is available at Walmarts across the country, but rest assured that if you do mail order it, there is little chance your young ones can receive the package and go off for a good time.
First, I have to say, the packaging is adorable. I appreciated the effort that went into creating something that was cute and had a touch of elegance. Each “tower” is the equivalent of a 750mL bottle of wine. But the tower divides up into four individual servings of wine. The cups pop apart, kind of like Lego, and have a foil seal on the top. The cups themselves are shatter resistant “Vinoware,” but they look a lot like glass. Much classier than the red Solo cups we’ve often had to resort to on the go. With Xo, G, you don’t have to worry about that agonizing choice of throwing away the leftover wine, because each one is sealed individually. You can just pop it back in the picnic basket and you are good to go. Another thing I appreciated (and yes, please do enjoy your alcoholic beverages responsibly, especially around children!) was that the cups had no stems, and were safe for places like big family get togethers where folks are bumping into things, and dogs are jostling tables, and… well, you get the idea.
So, what is this wine like after you peel the seal off? Well, you’re not going to get the equivalent of a $50 bottle of wine. Xo, G retails for under $10. But I was pleasantly surprised. The Pinot Noir really was quite smooth, and the Moscato was a bit drier than I like, but with that in mind, it was still good (it almost had more of a Riesling flavor than a Moscato, which would work fine for a picnic anyway). I think the quality is consistent for other wines within the price point.
All in all, I can say this wine is good for situations where you need something that is portable, or when you just want a glass of wine but don’t want to waste a whole bottle. It’s a clever idea that is executed very well. And the little cups are reusable for projects afterward—little terrariums, for example. All in all, my experience with this product was good, and I would recommend giving Xo, G a try.
Note: Remember, please ALWAYS enjoy alcoholic beverages responsibly, and never, ever, ever drive after you’ve been drinking. Also, a sample was provided to GeekMom for review.
