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I Now Know the Difference Between a Box of Wine and Wine in a Box!

It seems like only yesterday when I received an invitation to a party that stated B.Y.O.B. I would either bring beer or a Box-O-Wine. Box-O-Wine..... talk about not knowing any better.

Like most Generation X-er's, I had the pleasure of experiencing the Box-O-Wine because not only would you get a cheap and easy buzz, but a headache as well, if you weren't careful. Then as I got older and slightly more mature, a buzz was not as important to having a great time. My first experience with wine was at a restaurant that featured wine by the glass. Most types of wine were pretty good, but I did not truly learn to appreciate the taste of wine until I was invited to a wine tasting party.

Everyone was asked to bring one to two bottles of wine. My first thought was, which Box-O-Wine should I bring? Red, pink, or white? Then I noticed the word, "bottle". I was fortunate enough to find a small, intimate wine store called Tiffany's in San Francisco. Tiffany, the owner, walked me through the different types of wine: Pinot, Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, etc. and after spending an hour of tasting and learning, I ended up buying five bottles of wine. I was then told by Tiffany to walk next store to the Cheese Factory and purchase three types of cheese to compliment my wine.

I was so excited to arrive at the party with my wine and cheeses. It turns out, my wines were the most admired by the guests at the party. People asked where I learned of the wines at such a young age. Most of the guests where surprised that someone of my age knew enough about wine to bring five different, excellent bottles of wine that actually complimented each other. Ever since that party, people invariably ask me to bring wine because they know they can count on a good selection. Who would have thought that only yesterday I was a Box-O-Wine person and that I have grown to become a wine aficionado.

By Alan Canas