11 Boxed Wines You Should Always Buy

Maybe you've avoided buying Franzia boxed wine because way back in the day, it was the only boxed wine variety available, and it didn't exactly have the best reputation (all those bottle snobs turning up their noses at the lone box on the shelves). But there's no reason to be ashamed of loving the OG of boxed wines! In fact, according to a Mashed survey of readers' favorite boxed wines, Franzia came out on top, racking up 25 percent of the total vote. They even edged out other typical favorites like Black Box and Bota Box. 

So if you're ready to give your mom's favorite box a try, go ahead and pick up the brand's cool sauvignon blanc. This is a full-bodied, somewhat drier wine that's perfect for warm summer nights, featuring notes of lemon zest and grapefruit. A 5-liter box (yes, 5 liters — larger than the more typical 3-liter boxes) offers the equivalent of 34 glasses of wine, so really, if you stick to a single glass per night, a box can last all month. Throw it in your fridge to keep it chilled and sip with your favorite seafood, salads, or crudités for light evening meals. 

House Wine is one of those wines that started as a popular bottled brand and branched out into selling by the box. And as rosé wines boomed in popularity, with sales growing by a whopping 40-percent in the U.S. in 2018 alone, House Wine quickly offered up its own version of the sweet, pink drink. And if you're a fan of rosés (or if you're trying to find a wine that you can drink with everything), you need to grab this box the next time you see it. House WIne's Rosé offers a very fruity flavor with notes of watermelon, strawberry, and raspberry, which makes it perfect as a "poolside drink" and paired with light snacks like crackers, cheese, and other charcuterie favorites. And here's an idea for kicks — keep your rosé cold by dropping frozen grapes, strawberries, or raspberries in your glass. You could even turn it into a slushy by blending frozen fruit with your rose before drinking. Who doesn't want to enjoy an adult-themed slushy this summer? 

Bota Box is another boxed wine you can find in most major grocery stores, and it's for good reason — the wines are good! In fact, the brand is regularly included in Wine Enthusiast's annual list of best buys, and they've accumulated more than 50 gold medals for taste. So when you're looking for a solid, crowd-pleasing cabernet sauvignon, you can't go wrong with Bota's version. 

The flavor profile is fruity with a hint of spice, including notes of blackberry and black currant, with an aroma that includes peppercorn, making it a bold and robust wine with a touch of sweetness. As such, it goes nicely with hearty meals, like stews and pastas. Try serving it with your favorite beef bourguignon on a cold winter night, or keep things more casual with a basic spaghetti with marinara sauce. And who says you have to pair it with a meal? When you're looking to wind down at the end of a long day, make some stovetop popcorn and pour yourself a glass — you'd be surprised how well they go together. 

Think of the little Black Box of merlot as you would your little black dress — it's a dinnertime staple when you want a people-pleasing, smooth red wine that pairs with popular tomato-based dishes, pork loin, pot roast, mushrooms, and strong cheeses, just to name a few of the many options. But hey, even when you're kicking back for a casual dinner alone, there's no reason you can't pair your merlot with a homemade grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup — merlot goes well with cheese and tomatoes, after all.

Specifically, the Black Box merlot is a nice, medium-bodied red with aromas of vanilla, cinnamon, and plum, and a flavor profile including red berries. It's practically the wine version of sitting in front of a fireplace wrapped in a warm blanket on a chilly night. So obviously, you'll want to stock up around the holidays to help set the mood before, during, and after big family gatherings. 

A relative newcomer to the boxed wine industry is Folonari, a delicious Italian wine whose varietals have been around since 1825, but only more recently branched out into boxed and canned options for its classic drinks. The 3-liter box of pinot grigio is perfect for spring, summer, and warm fall nights when you want something cool, dry, and crisp to enjoy outside. In fact, it's the perfect beach buddy, pairing nicely with seafood and antipasti (we vote for crab cakes or bacon-wrapped asparagus as the perfect snacky sides). 

The fragrance includes wildflowers and a hint of honey and banana, with flavor notes of green apple and ripe pear. And as with most pinot grigios, the wine makes for a nice "easy" introduction to wine for those who are working on making the switch from beer, ciders, or sweeter mixed cocktails. The wine also pairs nicely with mozzarella, pesto, and salads, so it makes sense to whip up a Caprese salad or fresh bruschetta to get the most out of every sip.  

If you're especially conscious about eating (and drinking) organic, an excellent boxed wine to add to your list of favorites is the Pure Red Organic Red Wine blend from Badger Mountain Vineyard in Washington's Columbia Valley. The wine is made from 100 percent USDA organic grapes, including 71 percent cabernet sauvignon, 13 percent syrah, 5 percent each of malbec and merlot, and 3 percent each of pinot noir and cabernet franc. 

The result is a wine that has dark fruit flavors, medium tannins, and a well-balanced finish. And given that it's a blend, you can pair it with practically anything you'd pair with other red wines, whether you prefer steak, pizza, or a pasta dish. In fact, even if it's a bit unexpected, we suggest pairing this red with heavier Mexican food dishes, like beef fajitas, or a chicken mole. The rich flavors and spices in classic Mexican food are a good match for the strong, but clean, flavor of this organic red.