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.