Wines that don’t break the bank, stay fresh for up to six weeks after opening, and are environmentally friendly? What’s not to love about bag-in-box wines? Yes, it may seem sacrilegious to abandon the ritual of opening a beautiful, weighty glass bottle sealed with a cork, but we’re all aboard the sustainability train, and the best box wines have become a vessel worthy of our attention.
Bag-in-box wines were developed by Australian winemaker Thomas Angove in the 1960s with the goal of keeping wine fresh for longer, without the risk of oxidation. Using a collapsible plastic bag and tap for ease of pouring, the bag-in-box was born. At the time, however, the world wasn’t quite ready to take it seriously, and the “goon bag” developed an infamous reputation for cheap, headache-inducing wine.
Fast forward to today, and there’s a whole new movement toward quality-driven bag-in-box wines. We’re particularly drawn to young-drinking, vibrant wines that don’t need to be carefully nurtured for decades in a damp, dark cellar to develop those tertiary characteristics of age – think fresh, accessible, quality-driven wines made for everyday enjoyment.
Producing boxed wine uses significantly less energy than glass bottles, and with the lighter weight, massively reduces carbon emissions during transportation.
At the intersection of thoughtful spending, mindful drinking, and environmental awareness, wine experts, supermarkets, and retailers are embracing the movement, carefully selecting a fantastic range for every occasion.
With this in mind, I set out to find some of the best box wines available on the market. From white to red, with some rosé and and orange in between, I’ve been testing a range of brands to put together this list of the best box wines. Keep reading to see my top picks.
The best boxes of wine are:
- Best overall – Chateau Marie Plaisance le brin merlot: £38, Bobowines.co.uk
- Best budget – Torres viña sol: £13.25, Tesco.com
- Best for adventurous wine lovers – £49, Bobowines.co.uk
- Best French rose – Adnams Provence rosé: £39.99, Adnams.co.uk
How I tested
I sourced samples of boxed wines from my favourite retailers and independents, as well as spoke to the buyers and creators who are embracing innovation and sustainably focused consumption of wine. With a range of samples, I gathered industry peers, friends and family to judge the selection, with many voices and palates from wine experts to lovers, I picked my favourites. Read on to find my full testing criteria at the end of this guide.
Chateau Marie Plaisance le brin merlot
Best: Boxed wine overall
ABV: 14%
Size: 2.5l
Grape: Merlot, cabernet franc
Vegan: Yes
Vintage: 2020
Why we love it
- End-to-end sustainability
- Wonderful black fruit note
I recently discovered this small, independent company and fell in love with its commitment to providing outstanding wine, championing small, personality-driven producers and end-to-end sustainability. Hailing from the formidable Bobo team, this is a red with some age. The production of this wine means we get a sustainable, organic, bag-in-box red that has had time to develop, age, and bring layers of character before being “boxed” and released. The merlot and cabernet franc grapes from Bergerac (a stone’s throw from Bordeaux) are fermented in stainless steel tanks before spending a year in subterranean concrete tanks that act like barrels, allowing the wine to mature, breathe, and develop before release.
Medium to full-bodied, with lots of personality and wonderful notes of blackcurrant, cherry, brambly blackberry, cedar, tobacco, and spice – it cries out for steak frites.
Buy now £38.00, Bobowines.co.uk
Torres viña sol
Best: Budget boxed wine
ABV: 11%
Size: 1.5l
Grape: Parellada, grenache blanc
Vegan: Yes
Vintage: 2023
Why we love it
- Gold medal for climate action
- Affordable
The viña sol it’s a perfectly gluggable, staple white for the fridge. Fresh and fruit-driven with simple notes of white peach, citrus, and a touch of floral character, it’s well-balanced and easy-drinking. Producer Familia Torres has a gold medal under its belt for climate action, ticking yet another box for producing quality wine with the environment in mind – and at accessible prices.
Buy now £13.25, Tesco.com
Adnams classic sauvignon
Best: French sauvignon blanc boxed wine
ABV: 12.5%
Size: 3l
Grape: Sauvignon blanc
Vegan: Yes
Vintage: 2023
Why we love it
- Thirst-quenching
- Balanced notes
Sauvignon blanc drinkers – run, don’t walk. This sauvignon is well-crafted and beautifully balanced, with vibrant, thirst-quenching acidity and notes of zesty lime, gooseberry, green apple, and flinty minerality. Made for Adnams by Arnaud & Albéric Lechat, this sauvignon blanc truly reflects the Touraine region on the banks of the Loire River. Expect three litres of pure, zingy joy.
Buy now £39.99, Adnams.co.uk
Famille Fabre orange wine
Best: Orange boxed wine
ABV: 14%
Size: 2.25l
Grape : Viognier
Vegan: Yes
Vintage: 2022
Why we love it
- Organic
- Delicious savoury notes
Bobo’s packaging produces 90 per cent less carbon than glass bottles. The wine itself is an exceptional example of orange wine. Certified organic, it’s hand-crafted, with the viognier grapes spending three weeks on the skins, developing into a luscious, full-bodied golden nectar. Dry, rich, and savoury, this is a truly gastronomic wine. With layers of ginger, ripe peach, pithy orange, and stunning jasmine, it practically screams for food – think big, bold flavours like lamb tagine, rich winter stews, or the Bobo team’s recommendation: fried chicken.
Buy now £49.00, Bobowines.co.uk
Wine Route Italian blush
Best: Italian rosé boxed wine
ABV: 11%
Size: 2.25l
Grape: Sangiovese, merlot
Vegan: Yes
Vintage: Unspecified
Why we love it
- Easy drinking
- Reasonably priced
Hats off to Tesco – this is a gorgeous example of an easy-drinking Italian blush rosé and a staple for the fridge door. Pale pink with bright red strawberry and vibrant citrus notes, this lovely wine is made in northern Italy from sangiovese and merlot grapes. Take me back to sunny days in the garden.
Buy now £14.50, Tesco.com
Adnams Provence rosé
Best: French rosé boxed wine
ABV: 12.5%
Size: 3l
Grape: Grenchache, syrah, cinsault
Vegan: Yes
Vintage: 2023
Why we love it
- Organic
- Easy drinking
Another wonderful example of wine that reflects its region. With clear skies, 300 days of sunshine, and the Mediterranean Sea bringing a cooling influence, we get a scrumptious, dry rosé packed with strawberry, raspberry, and violet characteristics, alongside a touch of minerality and a light herbaceous character. Organically produced by Emmanuelle Baude on her small estate, I’m a big fan of this expressive, quaffable rosé.
Buy now £39.99, Adnams.co.uk
When In Rome primitivo
Best: Not-in-a-box boxed wine
ABV: 13.5%
Size: 750ml
Grape: Primitivo
Vegan: Yes
Vintage: 2022
Why we love it
- Affordable
- Eco-friendly paper bottle
This wine deserves a feature, and although it doesn’t conform to the bag-in-box criteria, it’s a brilliantly produced, low-carbon, eco-friendly paper bottle of Italian deliciousness. Drink this wine guilt-free, knowing this bottle produces six times less carbon than a glass bottle.
When In Rome is the first wine brand in the UK to fully audit and publish its carbon footprint. The brand’s mission is to help the world enjoy Italian wine in a sociable, healthy, and environmentally sustainable way. This primitivo is a deliciously robust red with lashings of plum, chocolate, prunes, and wild berries. It’s great slightly chilled and paired with classic Italian dishes like Bolognese, pizza rustica, or grilled Mediterranean veggies.
Buy now £11.50, Ocado.com
Waitrose Romanian pinot noir
Best: Light red boxed wine
ABV: 13.5%
Size: 1.5l
Grape: Pinot noir
Vegan: Yes
Vintage: 2023
Why we love it
- Easy drinking
- Reasonably priced
Waitrose’s own-brand Romanian pinot noir has been a best-seller in bottle form for years, and now the supermarket has released the wine in a 1.5l bag-in-box. The grapes for this wine underwent maceration for seven to nine days in stainless steel tanks to help retain bright fruit characteristics. It’s a perfect light and elegant pinot noir with notes of strawberry, cherry, and a silky texture. Serve slightly chilled, and you’ve got yourself a quaffable, delicious, and affordable pinot noir.
Buy now £14.50, Waitrosecellar.com
Your questions about boxed wine answered
What is the best box wine?
Leave the stigma behind and embrace the revolution of bag-in-box wines. Standouts include Adnams’ Loire Valley sauvignon blanc for white wine lovers and Bobo’s Chateau Marie Plaisance red, reflecting a thoughtful approach to taste and sustainability. I’m stoked about the new wave of brilliantly crafted bag-in-box wines – Viva la Revolution!
How I tested
I tested several boxed wines from top retailers and independent producers, focusing on the following qualities during testing:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Beth Brickenden is a London-based wine expert. For IndyBest she has also covered the best wines under £20, so she knows what makes a great glass. The wider IndyBest team have also covered and reviewed all kinds of wines, to help you find the perfect tipple. From the best supermarket wines, the best ports and fortified wines, and even the best non-alcoholic wines, we have all the information you need for a perfect glass.
We’ve spoken to wine experts and sommeliers to find the best supermarket wines
