Camping wines: 3 things to consider

Going camping this beautiful, sunny weekend? Don't forget the box wine.

While wine-in-a-box has typically been perceived as being inferior to bottled wine, All Points West wine columnist and author Troy Townsin says that if you must bring vino, grabbing a box instead of lugging around glass bottles just makes sense, especially if you're planning to hike or go kayaking.

Here are some of Townsin's tips when it comes to camping wines.

Pick a quality boxed wine

There was a time when going for wine-in-a-box meant compromising quality, but Townsin says that's no longer the case.

If you must bring wine to your outdoor adventure, he recommends Mt. Boucherie Winery, which sells three-litre boxes of Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay for $42.50 each.

Keep it chilled

Even if you bring red wine, toss it in a cooler, Townsin advises.

"As soon as it hits 28 degrees, wine starts to cook, it physically changes," he said.

"It gets sort of sweet and sticky, it gets a little bit bitter, it gets out of balance. It just doesn't taste right."

Pair with camping food

Townsin recommends a clean, crisp Riesling to go with those grilled hot dogs and burgers on a hot summer day. But if you prefer a red wine, he suggests choosing something smoky, like a Syrah.

Listen to the interview: Camping wines