I’ve been following Green Barrel for quite a while now and love the look and feel of the wooden barrels. They’re a great fit for corporate events as well as weddings. Most recently (based on popular demand) Green Barrel has been toying with the idea of offering a consumer product and I’ve been lucky enough to be able to test a barrel in my living room for the last 4 weeks.
Update July 26, 2012: Green Barrel is currently raising money on Kickstarter to make this a reality for everyone. Check it out!
Quality of the wine
Green Barrel has a good selection of boutique wines form Northern California. I’m currently drinking a Napa valley Meritage from JT wines but also had an opportunity to try their Merlot as well as the Syrah blend. I’m impressed with all of them but specifically like the Meritage and have received positive feedback from everyone that tried it.
How long does the wine stay fresh? Issues with oxidation?
I do enjoy a glass of wine in the evening but I never finish a bottle. And it just doesn’t taste the same the next day — even if you vacuum pump it. Therefore I was very excited about their claim that it stays fresh for 4 weeks or more. The Meritage has now been open for 4 weeks and it still tastes great. The taste may have evolved a bit over time but I can’t detect any oxidation.
Packaging and handling of the barrel
The barrel fits perfectly into my wine rack and gives it a unique look. It loads in the front and hooking up the refill pack was straightforward. Replacing the eco-pack shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes.
I’ve made sure the barrel doesn’t get direct sunlight and the room doesn’t get too warm during the day. Without built-in cooling system it’s not suitable for white wine yet.
I haven’t had any issues with the barrel setup. At times there is a residual drop at the spigot after dispensing a glass that needs to be caught.
Summary
The barrel looks great and works well. I love the idea of turning this into a wine club where I can discover a new, high quality wine from NorCal each month — delivered straight to my door. I probably won’t be giving up on bottles anytime soon but having wine on tap is a great and unique addition!
I need to host a cheese and wine party soon…