You Shouldn't Turn Your Nose Up At Boxed Wine. Here's Why
Just because boxed wine is cheap doesn't mean it is of lesser quality. The reputation boxed wines have accumulated could very well be unfair, according to Wine Cooler Direct, as some great wines are packaged in boxes — with plenty of benefits to pouring wine out of boxes instead of bottles.
Admittedly, earlier versions of boxed wine were less than ideal (and might've been more likely to be used as a cooking ingredient), but the market has changed, states Wine Folly. Australian Thomas Angove kicked off the boxed wine industry in 1965, according to Sommelier Business, with an original design that packaged wine in bags that needed to be cut off by consumers. Since then, boxed wine has gone through several iterations, including wine sold in pouches (ideal for outdoor enthusiasts), wine placed in eco-friendly and recyclable cartons, and wine boxes made in octagonal shapes, per Wine Folly.
And while producers originally used this kind of packaging for less expensive wine — the production process was cheaper than manufacturing glass — Black Box put premium quality wines into boxes in 2003 and forever changed the landscape of boxed wines (via Design Rush).
An economic and green option
"Things are on the rise for boxed wines. I think the quality's there. You have winemakers that care. And I'm super excited about the future of boxed wine, and you should be too," sommelier André Hueston Mack stated via Bon Appétit. Lighter packages and the amount of wine held in boxed containers equate to a reduced carbon footprint as well, as wine boxes are easy to transport and store. Wine consultant Nadine Brown explained to Liquor, "A large part of the carbon footprint of wine comes from shipping heavy bottles all over the world."
Boxed wine is also economically friendly, particularly for big gatherings. A typical box of wine is equal to around four wine bottles, so you can be sure to get your money's worth when buying a box (or more) notes Gratsi. Plus, when a wine bottle is opened, its days are numbered; wine in boxes can last for weeks, and easy-to-use spouts can keep tablecloths and napkins free of spills.
Consumer Reports insists you can buy some excellent boxed wines, including Wineberry's Château du Chatelard Beaujolais, a deliciously balanced and delicate wine that tastes more expensive than its retail price. Liquor recommends Bota Box's Old Vine Zinfandel, a bold wine with fruity notes ideal to serve alongside grilled dishes. Keep an open mind and let your palate decide which wines you like best.