The Best Boxed Wine for 2021

You will have seen us extol the virtues of the new face of boxed wine. We’ve shouted about it on the radio, we’ve given you a few goodies to try and why is this? So many reasons, the key ones being much tighter technology, which means wine stays fresher, which means that producers trust the packaging to put better wines in. Simples! There’s also the pretty major fact that most wine boxes are infinitely greener to make and more recyclable too. Let’s not forget the price per bottle ratio being even better value either. 

Check out this previous piece and video about 8 reasons to try boxed wine! 

It’s clear that the UK particularly is taking boxed wine to its heart and more and more producers are following suit, offering their wines in these larger, greener formats. We’ve fallen on our swords for you and tasted a huge round up of recent releases. Here are the best producers of boxed wines for 2021 in our not so humble opinion as well as some singular suggestions:

3 Boxed Wine Companies to Seek Out 

There are three companies who are out and out leading the way when it comes to wine quality, range of wines, premium packaging and green credentials. Presenting their wines in 2.25L boxes (the equivalent of three bottles), they’re the perfect size for entertaining or to sip over a couple of weeks at home. 

The BIB Wine Company

The BiB  Wine Company were the first we saw to make their packaging sleek and sexy, to match the impressively high quality of the wine insides. This is where you come for your luxury, fine wine in a box that looks as good as it tastes. What’s more, for every box you buy, they will plant a tree through a partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects. They also have a wine club that offers regular discounts. What’s not to love? 

Try…

...The Clos du Roi Sancerre (£49.90 for 2.25L) as your splash out white this festive season. Beautifully balanced, grassy, chalky and elegant, it’s hard to believe it’s from a box! Snag this for your smoked salmon. 

I’m also a huge fan of the Bea Organic Monastrell (£26.80 for 2.25l); a pocket friendly, easy drinking red from DO Yecla in Spain that packed full of spiced strawberry and black berry fruit.  

Laylo

Laylo boxes are so pretty, they could be the centrepiece for your table. Personally, I’d like to go for a range of them on the sideboard this Christmas to keep the family happy! The wines are great too; sourced directly from small-scale producers and interestingly off the beaten track a lot of the time. Their green credentials are impressive as well.

Try…

... The Pinot Blanc (£32.99). Unusually from Slovenia and with a splash of fragrant furmint, (that’s a grape), this is deliciously perfumed, crisp and ctrussy. A great, quirky find. 

We’re also big fans of the Rosso Vulcanico (£36.99); a blend of rustic, licorice and berry-scented Nero d'Avola & Nerello Mascalese from the slopes of Etna. 

When in Rome

When in Rome was the other early adopter of decent boxed ‘craft’ wine as they call it. Specialising in Italian wines made from lesser known grape varieties, their wines are brilliant value and the boxes are arguably the easiest to recycle out of anyones. When in Rome are also the producer of Phillip Schofield’s own wine range!

Try…

... The Organic Grillo (£25.99) for a refreshing, orange and pineapple, citrusy glass of white. This Sicilian wonder is a brilliant crowd pleaser and great alone or with hard cheese. 

I’d also recommend the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (£25.99) for a juicy, blackcurrant and spice experience in a glass. Perfect for a mid week spag bol or pizza. 

Other wine in boxes to seek out 

Côtes-du-Rhône, Famille Jaume

This is a youthful, fresh Côtes-du-Rhône red with lots of lively, dark berry fruit and a touch of spice. Made with Grenache and Syrah from young vines, this is a Wine Society stalwart and a must if you’re hosting at Christmas!

£45 from The Wine Society (approx £6.75 equivalent)

Terre di Faiano Rosso

I should probably stop banging on about this one but it’s so pretty inside and out; it looks like an easter egg! A blend of Negroamaro, Primitivo and Cabernet Sauvignon from Puglia, this juicy, figgy, plummy red is organic as well as vegan. Full-bodied and a touch on the sweeter side. 

£25.99 for 2.25L from Waitrose Cellar

See what we tasted in talk radio recently here and find that article with a video about 8 reasons to try boxed wine!

Thursday Club with Talk Radio: Boxed Wine

Do you whisper it or shout it out loudly and proudly? Boxed wine, bag in box wine or even bagnums these days (see what they did there?) are on the up with consumers and for many good reasons too. Quality packaging has come such a long, long way, so wines are kept fresher for longer, which in turn has meant that producers are happy to put higher quality wines in there. New, natty little taps and better bags keep oxygen out and flavour in and in many cases, the packaging has been upgraded too, to something you wouldn’t mind showing off in your kitchen. Add to this the fact that the same wine is cheaper when you buy it in more volume like this AND the packaging is generally much less harmful to the environment and you have a win-win situation. 

I’ve tried and tested a lot for you (it’s a tough job, eh?) and here are three boxed wines that are cracking value:

When in Rome Organic Grillo, Sicily, Italy. 

When in Rome were one of the first to bring high quality, interesting wines to the box, all the while keeping their green credentials intact. I love this crowd-pleasing, organic Grillo (that’s the grape); it’s crisp and ultra refreshing with a very aromatic nose of peach blossom and lemon cream. Fruity but light on its feet, it's highly drinkable and perfect for parties or that sneaky midweek glass straight from the fridge. 

£24.99 for 2.25L (bottle equivalent = £8.33) from Waitrosecellar and on offer on Amazon for £22.80

Terre di Faiano Rosso IGP Puglia Organic Rosso

This Italian red wine blend certainly wins the prize for great packaging with its eye-catching, blue tube. It is also a big, juicy hug in a glass. If you’re a fan of Primitivo with its notes of cocoa dusted raisins, very ripe dark berry fruit and vanilla pods, then you’ll love this. Of a slightly sweet style so not for lovers of old school, dry Claret perhaps, but a very easy drinking drop on a cool, Autumnal day. It would make a great match with some hard, salty cheese. 

£20.79 on offer (was 25.99) for 2.25L from WaitroseCellar ( £6.33 bottle equivalent)

Bea Organic Monastrell, The BIB Wine Company

The BIB Wine Company have nailed compact, classy looking boxes that hold properly fine wine. Come here for your quirky blends from lesser known wine regions as well as your old favourites, from Sancerre and Cotes du Rhone to fabulous Portuguese blends and dry, Hungarian Furmint. This Spanish Monastrell (that’s the grape. It’s also known as Mourvedre in France) is bold and grippy, much drier and tannic than the Rosso above and more old school European in style - dusty in a good way. Give it a steak and it will sing. 

£26.80 fro 2.25L (£8.93) from bibwine.co.uk

Stay tuned for more boxed wine recommendations on The Three Drinkers soon! In the meantime, here are 8 reasons why you should try boxed wine again.

8 Reasons to Try Boxed Wine

Click above to play the video!

Words by Helena Nicklin

Boxed wine, also known as bag-in-box wine, was one of the industry winners during lockdown with more than one in four people aged 25-34 buying them during this period, according to a recent report from Sainsbury’s. Fewer trips to the shops might have been an initial, very real cause for this during the pandemic, but it seems that people soon realised that you can now get some pretty decent wine in boxes. Add some astonishing green credentials to the mix and it's little wonder that boxed wine / bag-in-box wine is a trend we are seeing exploding, with more and more brands available, many of them looking super swish and containing delicious, premium wine. Here are eight reasons to buy boxed wine in 2020 and eight suggestions for great ones to try:

1) Tighter Technology

Boxed wine no longer has to mean oxidised, vinegary wines thanks to huge leaps in quality with the technology, with many companies using special vacuum taps and collapsible bag inners that keep out oxygen properly. Oxygen after all is the killer of wine! Tip: If the tap looks like the one in the picture, you’re looking at the top of the range tech.

2) Longer lasting than bottles

Thanks to this technology, boxed wine, once opened, can stay fresh for a month when stored upright and cool in the fridge (even the reds). Some even say six weeks but who keeps it that long anyway?!

3) You can have one glass...

… without feeling obliged to finish the whole bottle - or waste the rest of an opened bottle. 

The BIB Wine Company have quickly gained a reputation for good looking, luxury bag-in-box wines.

4) Cheaper than bottle equivalents

Most boxed wines now come in 2.25L sizes, the equivalent of 3 bottles of wine. Given that the packaging for boxed wine is a lot cheaper to produce than single use glass bottles AND the packaging works for three bottles worth of wine at a time, that value can be passed back the customer. 

5) Greener than glass

A recent study has shown that the CO2 produced during the manufacture, transportation and disposing of a single use glass bottles can be up to ten times that of the infinitely more recyclable BiB wines. Producing bag-in-box wines consumes around 80% less water than glass bottles too. Many companies are now also going a step further, making sure their boxed wine packaging is as sustainably sourced and recyclable as possible. You’ll even see several boxed brands with environmental initiatives such as the BIB Wine Company, who are planting a tree for every box sold. What’s not to love? #lowcarbondrinking is real.

6) Portability

It’s much easier to carry the equivalent amount of wine when it’s in a box than when in a bottle. That picnic in the park when we are allowed to see other humans again, or dinner parties, stocking up for Christmas… Imagine lugging three heavy, clinky, wine bottles around, when you could just pick up a pretty box with a hand strap.

7) Quality wines

It may not have been the case in the past when bag-in box wine was known as ‘hangover juice’, but nowadays, you’ll find the same wines you’ll find in bottles inside those bags and boxes. The common misconception that it’s inferior wine needs to be rethought. 

8) No light strike

Light strike is a phenomenon that’s becoming a bit of a buzz word this year. Generally speaking, it refers to the negative effects sunlight can have on wine, where funky, stinky aromas and flavours are produced. It doesn't take long to happen either, which is why you should avoid bottles sitting in shop windows. Wine in glass bottles are obviously much more susceptible to this than boxed wine, which is protected by the cardboard outer layer. 

Have we convinced you yet? Here are some boxed wines to try. Let us know what you think on Twitter @the3drinkers or Insta @thethreedrinkers:

WHITE WINES

Maree d’Ione Organic Fiano 2.25L

Fiano at its best is a great all-rounder grape, making easy-drinking, pineapple and orange scented whites. This one is exactly that with a lovely weight and balance of fruit and acidity. Very classy.

£25.99 / £8.66 per bottle equivalent. Find it at Waitrose here 

BIB Wine Company Dry Furmint: 2.25L

Furmint is one of the grapes that makes the famous Hungarian sweet wine called Tokaji. We’re seeing more dry Furmints on our shelves these days and we think it’s going to be the next big thing in wine. Crisp and refreshing, with subtle notes of honeysuckle. It’s a little bit different, versatile and very easy to love.

£38 / £12.67 per bottle equivalent. Find it at bibwine.co.uk here

When in Rome Grillo 2.25L 

Grillo is the Sicilian grape that will transport you back to a foreign summer holiday with warm winds and fresh seafood on the beach. Golden and tropical with a cool mineral core, this is rustic wine that’s easy going and perfect with simple weekday meals like pizza and pasta.

£26.99 inc delivery / £8.99 per bottle equivalent. Find it on Amazon here

Clearsprings Sauvignon Blanc 2.25L

A benchmark Sauvignon Blanc that’s lemon citrusy and leafy with classic grassy notes. Softer on acidity than some and for the price tag, it’s remarkably good value. Have it with goats cheese or quiche with salad and it will sing.

£16 / £5.33 per bottle equivalent. Find it at Sainsbury’s here.

RED WINES

Terre di Faiano Organic Rosso 2.25L

A big cuddle in a glass, this Primitivo blend from Puglia tastes like chocolate-dipped raisins and honey. Silky smooth and rich with lots of ripe fruit, if you like it big and bold, this wine is for you. Beautifully packaged too, it would also make a great gift.

£25.99 / / £8.66 per bottle equivalent. Find it at Waitrose here

BIB Wine Company, Domaine les Caizergues, ‘Terrasses du Larz’ 2.25L

The BIB Wine Company is currently the go-to place for luxury bag n box wines. Beautifully packagedin sleek grey board, their wines are serious and delicious. A blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Carignan, this elegant Southern French red blend from the Languedoc is concentrated and fresh, packed with crunchy, red berry fruit, subtle tobacco spice and a food friendly slick of saline. Proper wine, glass after glass.

£37.50 / £12.50 per bottle equivalent. Find it at bibwine.co.uk here

Co-op Fairtrade Chilean Merlot 2.25L 

Here’s where cheap is very cheerful. A classic Chilean Merlot with its up front, smoky nose giving way to rich, dark red fruit and cedar. It’ll warm the cockles on an Autumnal day and at under £5 a bottle, there is nothing to complain about!

£14.50 / £4.83 per bottle equivalent. In store only at Co-op.

Most Wanted Shiraz 2.25L

Fans of Aussie Shiraz will not be disappointed by this friendly little number. Think spicy jam tarts and licorice with a touch of smoke. A little lighter than some Shiraz wines, but all the more drinkable for it. Great value too. 

£17 / £5.67 per bottle equivalent. Find it as ASDA here

Want more wine recommendations? Try this Guide To Prosecco Styles, Celebrity wines available now and The Best Red Wines To Have Chilled.