Bag-in-box wine had previously garnered a poor reputation, with tie-ins to mediocre quality and last-minute sprees. Party-goers would balk at the thought of serving wine from a cardboard vessel. However, attitudes towards bag-in-box wines have shifted as more of them now contain better-quality, and sometimes even high-end, wine varieties.
Keeping a box of white or rosé in your refrigerator or perhaps a box of red in your pantry allows you to still have quality wine days after the box is initially opened. Most box wines promise a preservation of freshness for at least six weeks after being opened. However, personally, I’ve found the optimal freshness period to be somewhere around three to four weeks. Their petite and lightweight structure make them an unbeatable choice when you’re tasked with transporting alcohol to a dinner party or a large gathering. Available commonly in sizes of 1.5 liters (equal to two typical wine bottles) or 2.25 liters (the equivalent of three bottles), bag-in-box wines are highly convenient when you’re willing to let go of your delicate glass.
The environmentally friendly nature of bag-in-box wines is one of the main reasons they are produced. The carbon footprint of the lighter cardboard attached to a slim plastic bag and tap is significantly less than that of thicker glass. Although both are recyclable, the process of recycling glass (and its production), requires substantial energy.
Oliver Lea, a co-founder of The BIB Wine Company, who are reachable at @bibwine, stated that the carbon footprint of bag-in-box wines is “ten-fold less than that of bottled wine”. The BIB Wine Company offers a large postage-paid envelope to its customers to send back used taps and inner plastic bags. These materials are sent to a recycling plant where they undergo a “microwave-induced, energy-efficient process to break them down into reusable materials,” as Lea enlightened. He added, “We’re continuing to fine-tune the process, but its nature is predominantly circular.”
Also accepting returned, washed taps and bags is the company More Wine spearheaded by Rich Hamblin (@morewineontap), a firm specializing in uniquely packaged wine, often in boxes. The business structure of More Wine is primarily wholesale, constituting 85%, supplying pubs, bars, and restaurants, with the remaining 15% directed towards consumers. It typically deals in larger boxes, with one of its five-litre boxes equating to seven bottles.
More Wine (morewineontap) along with other similarly-focused companies and the newly-organized entity, Bobo (@bobo_wines), are the top independent players in the bag-in-box wine industry. In my review, I sampled an assortment of supermarket lines. Though there were a few subpar samples, including two lacklustre rosés, there were also excellent buys listed below.
I also enjoyed, considering the cost, the citrusy-bright Stormhoek Siren Fairtrade Organic Chenin Blanc 2023 from South Africa (11%, Co-op, £10.50 for 1.5 litres), and the zesty, crisp Taste the Difference Coolwater Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2022 from Marlborough, New Zealand (13%, Sainsbury’s, £20 for 1.5 litres).
If you’re purchasing any of these for a party, it’s very likely they won’t survive past a single evening, but don’t let that dissuade you. Regardless of whether it’s for a large group or a quiet night in with a high-quality beverage, it pays to think creatively.
(14%, Morrisons, £20 for 2.5 litres)
Introducing an aroma of cassis and dark chocolate, the taste of this softly oaked malbec is reminiscent of blackcurrants cooked with a touch of cinnamon. This fantastic value wine is rich and potent, therefore it complements party food (particularly red meat dishes/spicy canapés) better than being served by itself.
(12.5%, Waitrose, £26.99 for 2.25 litres, reduced to £21.99 from Nov 29 until Jan 1)
An eye-catching offer on a scented Sicilian white with refreshing tangerine peel and ripe pears, and a subtle hint of orange blossom. Dry finish, so it’s fine without food but would be good paired with lighter nibbles based on prawns or green vegetables such as asparagus or courgette.
(12.5%, Bobo, £46 for 2.25 litres)
Organic cabernet franc bursting with fresh raspberries plus some blackcurrants on the finish. Unoaked, youthful and succulent, it’s not too strong or heavy, so is versatile on its own as a quality party red or with food. Charcuterie would be my match.
(13%, BIB Wine Company, £51.22 for 2.25 litres)
Here’s a premium wine in a box, a fine Loire Valley sauvignon blanc with zesty lemon and grapefruit that zip across the palate, with a lip-smacking mineral finish but enough ripeness to round it out. I’m too mean to buy this for a party, but would happily serve it up for a smaller group with fish pie, shellfish or grilled goat’s cheese salad.
(13%, More Wine, £59.50 for 5 litres – equivalent to almost seven bottles)
A whopping big box of vivacious viognier from the south of France. There’s plenty of juicy apricots and a honeysuckle hint on the scent, but a dry, fresh finish. It’s a great idea for anyone planning a really big bash this Christmas. It’s refreshing on its own but also goes well with chicken, salmon and quiches. It may not fit in your fridge though – I stuck mine outside the back door.
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