The Best Boxed Wines

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The Best Boxed Wines It’s time to party! You have to ask yourself, do you feel lucky? Do you, punk?

Just like Inspector Harry Callahan, boxed wines are a bit outside of the mainstream, are unorthodox, fresh, and get the job done. Sometimes it’s messy and the results are less than entirely satisfactory. Other times, they are just fine, leaving you to smile with a satisfied smirk!

So what is the deal with boxed wines and, more largely, wines in bags (the box is just extra structural framework for the bags)? Unfortunately, the deal has generally been that producers put crappy wine into boxes, so the several attempts to put better wine in bags and boxes has been met with stiff resistance from consumer.

Wake up folks, there’s no reason to shun wine in bags. In fact, we should all be supportive of this movement towards less wasteful containers that prevent a wine’s degradation both in storage, albeit for a limited period of time, and once opened. Having a box of wine in the fridge, ready to go and remaining fresh for weeks, is a hugely appealing prospect.

Now if only the wine was worth drinking. It is the producers' turn to keep plugging away and filling your bags with better wines. Some producers are already doing a great job. Find out who in my round up of bag-in-box wines. Some of these are actually delicious!

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Comments

benhuynh

234022 0

Great informative. Thank you!

Dec 06, 2011 at 12:36 PM
getwine

73436 3

Great post, however, you missed one of my favorite boxed wines, La Vieille Ferme Rouge. You should give it a try.

Dec 06, 2011 at 1:11 PM
Gin257

719885 167

I am actually a big fan of Targets Wine Cube - Chardonnay.

Dec 06, 2011 at 2:19 PM
Kate-
Statton

Hand of Snooth

853836 1,078

That Jack Tone red was a little *too* drinkable. Dangerous when it's in a 3L box!!

Dec 06, 2011 at 2:46 PM
pasopablo

925075 25

Try Le Vigne's 5-liter boxed NV Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. True value, consistent quality.

Dec 06, 2011 at 3:54 PM
Rare-
Terroir

346263 2

These wines could make for a fun wine tasting and interesting conversation.

Dec 06, 2011 at 9:58 PM
Sedimentbl-
og

546548 155

Wine in a box?

Is that like cigars in a bottle?

http://www.sedimentblog.com

Dec 07, 2011 at 3:41 AM
cindycycle

448837 3

Thanks for doing this. I am always looking for good box wines. I like the price, and the fact that the wine lasts longer, since I'm the only wine drinker in the house. I like the Target Wine Cube and Black Box. I also drink the cheaper Oak Leaf cabernet sauvignon sold at Wal-Mart and "Barrel Box" cabernet sauvignon that was available at Sam's Club for a few months this summer. They are not as good as the Target and Black Box, but still acceptable. The Oak Leaf was a big hit at Thanksgiving and I will have to bring two boxes next year!

Dec 07, 2011 at 9:59 AM
DSRule

989116 0

Malbec from Bota Box is a very enjoyable wine and an excellent value for that daily glass of red for my "health".

Dec 07, 2011 at 9:32 PM
cctravers

392150 0

Interesting that 'Black Box' was not in the top bunch. That is the one that we have had and found very drinkable. I look forward to trying some of the ones that you listed... especially if they are even better.

Dec 07, 2011 at 10:52 PM
moreypope

631181 7

Does anyone know if Cuboid is sold on the west coast and if it is, who is it?

Dec 08, 2011 at 12:01 PM
ashclark

991002 0

The ONLY boxed wine I've come across that's worthwhile comes from a company called Prestige Selections (luxury high end wines only). I got a box of Les Vig. d'Estezargues Cotes du Rhone my birthday last year and it was great!

Dec 10, 2011 at 2:25 AM
Street-
Person

807210 39

I've been drinking the boxes from the getgo. And even had one that was oxidized and returned. But overall, good beyond quaffing. The Bota Redvolution blend is as gem.

Dec 12, 2011 at 10:08 AM
Tim Dirks

994339 0

Ash- I agree- just got a box of Malbec from http://www.prestigeselections.com and it was the best boxed wine I've ever had.

Dec 14, 2011 at 9:26 AM
drapedincr-
azy

272273 0

Bota Box Old Vine Zin is worth a try as well. I usually have to buy two boxes at a time the day the store gets them or wait a week until a new shipment arrives. My little town is hooked on this nectar. Give it a try!

Jan 06, 2012 at 12:28 PM
pastamom20-
11

508693 72

I once put a box of white wine in an ice chest to take to a weekend gathering. The cardboard disintegrated and then we were drinking yellow wine from a bladder. Not particularly attractive!!

Feb 13, 2012 at 6:25 PM