Pikesville Wine Manager Founder of New Wines

Wine lover and wine shop owner Michael Fishman now adds wine founder to his list of accomplishments.

The wine manager of Quarry Wine & Spirits in Pikesville has created a new, box wine: Open Door Cellars.

His shop and others throughout Maryland already carry the new line of wines that come in a bright, blue box with an art deco-style, Baccanalian woman toasting with a huge glass of red.

During my recent visit to Fishman's shop, he said he couldn't discuss the wines themselves just yet, but explained that wine in a box has more consistent quality and lasts longer than screw-cap wines.

It's also better than corked wines that can become tainted by mold in the cork itself, he said.

"Our packaging keeps wine fresh for weeks after opening … so you can enjoy at your own pace," the Open Door Cellars website states, refering to the bag inside the box.

Fishman set out to create the perfect everyday wine, the site states.

And what he's created are three wines: Chardonnay 2010 California, Merlot 2010 California, and Cabernet Sauvignon
2010 California.

They come in 3-liter and 1.5-liter boxes, and are available at Quarry Wine & Spirits and at other stores in Timonium, Cockeysville, , Abingdon, Parkville and Fulton, according to the site.

Prestige Beverage Group will distribute Open Door Cellars wines in Maryland, Delaware and Washington D.C., it states.

Statement of Economy

I haven't tried the wines, but I can tell you that their debut seems like good timing.

According to 2010 research from the Wine Market Council, the U.S. wine market had been growing despite the economic downfall; and only high-priced wine sales have suffered.

Good Taste?

Sample Fishman's new wines during a tasting from 2-7 p.m. March 24 at , 2516 Quarry Lake Drive.

Another tasting will be held from 4-7 p.m. March 31 at Fairgrounds Discount Beverages, 2157 York Road, Timonium.

Visit the wine tasting events list at Open Door Cellars for the rest of the schedule.

Boxing

For details on the box wine movement, including Open Door Cellars', visit The Dagger's article "Discover a New Way to Enjoy Wine: Bag in a Box Discovery."

What's your opinion on boxed wine? Have you tried Open Door Cellars? If you go to a tasting, share your review—however brief it may be—in the comments section below.