Heres Why You Shouldnt Be Afraid to Switch to Boxed Wine in the New Year

If youre an American wine drinker, chances are that youve never really thought about how your wine is packaged. Youve just always assumed that the best wines come in a bottle, just like chips come in a bag or juice in a carton. However, outside the US, theres a growing movement for enjoying boxed wine instead of bottled, and theres a good reason behind the trend.

With a brand new decade on the horizon, we feel confident in saying that at least a glass or two of wine is going to be consumed. Granted, its hard to imagine that boxed wine is ever going to replace the classy appearance of a fancily shaped glass bottle as a gift, but when it comes to casual consumption, there are plenty of reasons the best boxed wines should be on your radar.

So, why is boxed wine better? For starters, when you uncork a bottle of wine, you have around a week until it spoils. Compare this with wine in a box, which comes stored in a vacuum-sealed bag, and you will find that boxed wine can last between four to six weeks. Boxed wine also has an advantage when you think about how you store your wine in the fridge or cabinet. Bottles have certain restrictions and stack a lot less easily than boxes.

Another huge factor in favor of boxed wine is the environmental impact. Its easy to assume that glass is the answer. But, once you add into the equation the cork, the bottles seal, the cardboard boxes for packaging and the emissions caused by shipping heavy bottles around the world, its not quite as straightforward as you may have once assumed. Boxed wine is easier to ship, comes in recyclable packaging and is generally sold in larger quantities, meaning there are fewer containers involved in the consumption process.

Finally, as boxed wine becomes more popular, the time has come to reassess its reputation. While cheap boxed wine may have been popular among your dormmates in college, there are many premium boxed wines that would make a worthy replacement for your table wine of choice. Below, youll find a collection of the 11 best boxed wines available in the United States. From reds and whites to pre-mixed sangrias and blends, give your guests a boxed wine experience and education they wont forget.

1. Black Box Red Elegance

BEST OVERALL

Produced in the Black Box winery in California, the Black Box Red Elegance combines petite sirah, shiraz, merlot and zinfandel grapes. The result is a bold taste with hints of red and black fruit as well as underlying chocolate flavors. This California red blend is an ideal choice for wine enthusiasts who prefer a bite-free wine or anyone looking for a tasty pairing for beef, veal, lamb or poultry.

2. Bandit Pinot Grigio

MOST PORTABLE

This Bandit Pinot Grigio offers the delightful combination of a budget-friendly price and a taste youll love. Its produced and boxed in Napa County and includes notes of green apple, citrus and peach. The refreshing experience pairs wonderfully with a range of foods, including cheeses, salads and other greens, too. Plus, the occasional hit of tartness keeps your taste buds awake and always eager for another sip. This 1L bottle is perfect for tailgates, camping trips and other adventures on-the-go.

3. Senor Sangria Apple Raspberry

BEST WINE COCKTAIL

The Senor Sangria Apple Raspberry is a great choice if youre searching for a drink thats not 100% wine to enjoy on a lazy afternoon. Its part of a limited-run series which features the best fruity combinations you wont find anywhere else. The drink is made from a combination of red wine, apple juice, lemon juice and bright raspberries, then its finished with a hint of cinnamon to complete the pleasant taste. The ingredients balance beautifully for a mostly sweet drinking experience that offers moments of tartness from time to time.

4. Big House The Great Escape Chardonnay

BEST VALUE

The Big House The Great Escape Chardonnay wont disappoint chardonnay and other dry white wine drinkers. This California-produced, full-body box offers a rich and velvety drinking experience youll enjoy time after time. Thanks to the size of this box, you will have more than enough to share with friends. It pairs well with fresh and soft cheeses, shellfish or meaty and oily fish.

5. Wine Cube Pinot Grigio

BEST FRUIT FINISH

Wine Cube is an award-winning brand producing delicious boxed California wine. Their Pinot Grigio box features hints of green apple and citrus. The box contains the equivalent of four bottles of wine and stays fresh for up to four weeks. If you like sweeter pinot grigios, then this may not be the wine for you, as it has a medium-to-dry finish.

6. Bota Box Nighthawk Black Red Blend

BEST RED

If the promise that this is one of the best red wines in a box isnt enough to pique your interest in the Bota Box Nighthawk Black Red Blend, were not sure what will. The full-bodied rioja blend pairs well with a wide range of dishes, including lamb, pork and other heavily spiced foods. Inside every glass, youll find hints of vanilla accompanied by berry, fig, chocolate and marshmallow flavors for a complex experience your taste buds will love.

7. Vin Vault Pinot Grigio

BEST WHITE

If you find yourself sitting down for a meal with salad, shellfish or any other kind of seafood, consider adding the Vin Vault Pinot Grigio to the table. The light-bodied beverage is elegantly crisp and delivers fragrant aromas which include notes of apple and pear. The citrus finish delivers a refreshing hit youll want to enjoy over and over, making this wine a great choice to always have in the fridge.

8. Original House Wine Pinot Noir

MOST POPULAR

With its appealing combination of ripe raspberry and earthy spice aromas, its little wonder the Original House Wine Pinot Noir is one of the most popular offerings on our list. Its produced in the Chilean Central Valley and comes in a three-liter box which is enough to get any party started. The fruity and light pinot noir can be enjoyed by itself for a relaxing evening, or it pairs well with a range of foods, including fish, duck and other game birds.

9. Maison Cubi Syrah Carignan

BEST REVIEWED

One way to feel confident in your choice of wine is if the one you pick has received nothing but positive reviews. This Maison Cubi Syrah Carignan falls into that category and comes well recommended by all who have enjoyed this French-made wine. The dry, full-bodied drink falls into the earthy & spicy category, making it a great pairing for game birds, pork and duck. The large, three-liter box also means theres plenty to go around, making this a solid choice for evenings with friends.

10. Les Petit Gueissard Rose

BEST ROSE

The Les Petit Gueissard Rose is a classy pick that will make you want to sail away to the south of France. The light and crisp rose-colored wine is comprised of a delicate blend of classic Provencal varieties. The result is a beverage that pairs well with lighter fare, like salads and hors doeuvres, or can simply be enjoyed by itself. The strawberry notes found within this rose will please any sweet flavor-loving drinker, and the wine looks pretty attractive in the glass, too.

11. From the Tank Vin Blanc

BEST CHARDONNAY

The From the Tank Vin Blanc is an organically farmed white wine produced from 100% chardonnay grapes. This pale-yellow, French-made wine delivers a full-body drinking experience which falls dry on the sweet-dry scale. That means it can pair beautifully with dishes like fish, cheese and shellfish. This is a great table wine for parties, picnics and evenings with friends and family, as the citrus and peach flavors, and rich and velvety style, are always going to please.

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