In the realm of wine, the notion of boxed vino has come a long way from the days of subpar quality and questionable taste. Gone are the times when boxed wine was considered the bottom shelf of the wine aisle, hidden away from discerning eyes. Today, the world of boxed wines has undergone a delightful transformation, offering both convenience and surprisingly good sips for the casual (or discerning) wine enthusiast.
When it comes to the boxed wine revolution, Black Box Wines is a heavyweight contender. With a variety of options, the brand has managed to bring a touch of class to the cardboard world, at least visually. Black Box has won over 100 gold medals for its wines and claims its boxed wine stays fresh for up to six weeks. Interestingly, its organic boxed wine only stays fresh for up to four weeks.
Bota Box is a pioneer in the world of premium boxed wines. From a crisp and refreshing sauvignon blanc to a velvety RedVolution blend, Bota Box covers a wide spectrum of palates. The convenient size options make it easy to find the perfect fit for your wine needs, whether it’s a cozy night in or a picnic in the park. The company produces boxed wine and smaller single serve packs (not cans).
Domaine Bousquet’s Natural Origins Malbec is made from organic grapes from Mondoza, Argentina, and is an economic, nice-tasting alternative when you want to save money and drink organic. Flavors of red and black fruit and figs with a medium body and velvety tannins. One box equals four regular bottles of wine with a price equal to $7 per bottle.
If you’re looking for local — and why wouldn’t you — try Badger Mountain Winery in Kennewick, Washington. It’s the state’s first certified organic winery and opened in 1990. Its wine lineup includes many different white and red varieties and all are organic, which means they’re non-GMO, vegan friendly and gluten-free and have no added sulfites. Most organic red wine is aged in stainless-steel tanks to minimize the exposure to oxygen and maintain constant temperature. These two things are a lot harder to control once the wine is in oak barrels. As a result, the organic red wines are more vibrant and youthful, with minimal tannins. Badger Mountain’s organic Pure Red is a great find and a great everyday wine. It’s 51% cabernet sauvignon, 20% pinot noir, 17% syrah and 12% malbec. This wine is lighter in body, but still has a complexity to it with flavors of black fruits, white pepper and rose petals.
One of the benefits of buying boxed is the eco-friendly packaging. Boxed wines often have a smaller carbon footprint compared to glass bottles, making them a more environmentally conscious choice. Thanks to the airtight bag-in-box design, boxed wines stay fresher for a more extended period after opening. Most wineries recommend a stay-fresh time of up to one month. No need to rush through a bottle in fear of it going bad.
You also get more bang for your buck. Boxed wines generally offer more volume for the price, making them an economical choice for both casual sipping and larger gatherings. They’re typically around $25-$29 per box at local grocery stores.
Despite the strides made by boxed wine brands, there’s still a lingering perception that they don’t match the quality of bottled wines, especially for connoisseurs seeking a refined taste. While the variety of boxed wines has increased, the truly high-end and rare wines are still found in traditional bottles.
Boxed wines have come a long way in offering a compelling alternative to bottled counterparts, but they just don’t come close to a truly good glass of wine. If you’re a budget-conscious wine lover or someone who appreciates the convenience of a spout, boxed wines have carved out a respectable place in the vino landscape. So, the next time you find yourself perusing the wine aisle, don’t overlook the boxed section — you might just stumble upon a delightful surprise.
Cheers to the evolving world of boxed wines!
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