The 10 Best Boxed Wines to Buy

Forget what you drank in your college days. Environmentally friendly, easily portable, and increasingly delicious wine in a box is great option for summer sipping.

Wine enthusiasts know that there's a time and place for boxed wine, and it's not just because of the seemingly limitless pours. They're also eco-friendly, and will last at least three weeks in the fridge, whereas a standard bottle only survives four to five days. Most boxed wines contain three-liter bags, the equivalent of four bottles, making it perfect for barbecues, house parties, family reunions, or even a hiking trip.

Roger Scommegna, a co-founder of Bandit Wines, sums it up perfectly: "[Winemaker] Charles Bieler likes to say [boxed wine] 'is wine for that not-so-special occasion,' and we truly feel that way — the best wine in the world is not put in a box. Why? It's not going to age in a box and the best wines need to age in a bottle."

They're not so complex as to require a Riedel wine glass, but that's also why they make an excellent choice for a laid back summer evening. Guests are able to grab the first vessel within sight, whether that’s a mason jar or, as one Facebook boxed wine enthusiast recommends, a coffee mug. Or do as the Italians do in piazzas all over Italy: pull out a small glass tumbler alongside your box, channel your inner Godfather if any skeptics give you the side eye, and win them over with a generous pour of one of these tasty boxed wines.

Vin Vault Chardonnay California 3L ($22)

This wine is rich and creamy, with tart apple and pear flavors, and subtle caramel and toasty toffee notes on the finish. Also look out for the Cabernet Sauvignon here, which is a deep ruby-purple color, with sumptuous black fruit aromas, along with graphite and sweet oak spice. It's round, plush and soft with chocolate-covered black cherry notes, vanilla bean, chewy tannins and a subtle smoky herbaceous note on a blueberry compote-tinged finish.

Bota Box Merlot California 3L ($21)

Blackberry and black plum notes meet dark chocolate and sweet spice in this deep magenta colored Merlot with a rich mouthfeel.

Black Box Cabernet Sauvignon Chile 3L ($18)

A crimson blush color in the glass, this wine gives way to soft and warm flavors redolent of black cherry and currant, leading to a vanilla-bean and toasty cocoa-tinged finish. If you don't want a full box, it also comes in 500 ml Go-Packs.

Wineberry Chateau Tassin Bordeaux Blanc 3L ($40)

Worth the hunt, this blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon is bright and clean, with pure citrus notes, crisp minerality and vibrant acidity. Imagine near-limitless pours with oysters and shellfish!

2017 VRAC Rosé VdP de Méditerranée France 3L ($27)

This wine has wild strawberry notes, with a good mineral through-line and refreshingly crisp acidity.

Bandit Pinot Grigio California 1L and 500ml Tetra Pak ($10)

Charles Bieler, Joel Gott, and Roger Scommegna, all vintners and founders of Bandit Wines, support the National Park Foundation with a $50,000 donation in honor of the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System. Be on the lookout for the National Park-themed tetra paks, where you’ll find bright and crisp tropical fruit flavors with a creamy mouthfeel.

La Vieille Ferme White Wine (Vin Blanc) France 3L ($20)

My favorite of the three La Vieille Ferme box wines I sampled, this wine has a pale gold color, tropical fruit nose, notes of underripe banana and pineapple, and a chalky mineral character, with good acidity on the finish. Also look out for the boxed rosé, which has a pale salmon pink color, and is simple and clean with strawberry, white peach, and prickly pear notes, with a subtle herbaceous finish. And the red boxed wine is worth trying, too. Deep ruby-purple color, this wine is quite soft, with mouth-coating tannins, subtle red berry and earthy aromas, and a spicy finish.

Beso Del Sol White Sangria Spain 500ml Tetra Pak ($6)

With a luscious mouthfeel, and lychee, candied peach and prickly pear notes, this is great served over ice with pieces of ripe pear, pineapple and Granny Smith apple. Also try the pink sangria, which has notes of rich candied watermelon, jolly rancher green apple and overripe peach. Serve it over ice with cut up pieces of peach, pear, and green apple. Finally, the red sangria is good too, with its notes of tangy, candied red berry fruit and brown spices. Serve it over ice with cut pieces of peach, plum, pear, and apple.

Vina Borgia Garnacha Campo de Borja Spain 3L ($20)

Dark cherry and blueberry compote mingle with hints of milk chocolate on a round and plush mouthfeel in this medium bodied ruby colored wine. When was the last time you had a box wine from Spain? Seek it out!

2019 Radio Boca Tempranillo 3L ($25)

This Tempranillo from Spain's Castilla region is full of dark berry and plum flavors, with a mocha-oak note. Crowd-pleasing is the word; the same goes for the cool retro-radio look of the 3-liter box.

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