I’m still learning to speak Australian.

Amy and I went for lunch yesterday at the seafood joint, where I first heard the term goon sack a few days ago.

That’s what Aussies call boxed wine, and since it’s the most affordable and the quality has improved, there may occasionally be one in my bike trailer on my way home from the shops.

The fish monger commented, “I see you got your goon sack on.”

“What”

“Goon sack.”

“What?”

At this point Amy stepped in to interpret, the benefits of hanging out with a French professor.

The terminology was confirmed by the Herald Sun, who wrote, the good old “goon sack” has just gone couture.

Swedish winemaker Vernissage have released a designer “wine handbag”, which aims to make boxed wine classy – and fashionable.

The “bag-in-bag” vino comes complete with arm strap so you can tuck up to three litres of your favourite drop under your arm for easy carrying.

About the same time, Advertising Age in the U.S. reported that pouches are a hit with booze marketers.

The trend took off this summer, spurred by newly introduced pouch versions of big brands such as Smirnoff and Arbor Mist. Sales of alcohol pouches jumped 153% to $154 million in the year ending June 23, according to Nielsen. And pouch drinks are making rapid distribution gains in grocery stores, according to SymphonyIRI Group. While distribution is lower at drug and convenience stores, chains such as Walgreens have begun stocking pouch brands in coolers at some stores.

This is the dukkah barramundi (right) Amy had yesterday on our lunch date. I had the snapper.