Ah, boxed wine. A drink reminiscent of student parties and festivals, probably served lukewarm, likely out of a plastic cup. But no more! Boxed wine has had a glow-up over recent years to the point where it's now considered a serious, grown-up drink. Everything from posh roses to classy French whites can be purchased in box form, and they’re none the worse for it.
Boxed wine is a brilliant invention for many reasons, the most obvious being their value for money. Although you can certainly buy premium boxed wines that are slightly pricier, most tend to be a cost-effective way of purchasing wine in large quantities, which is why they’re a popular choice at parties and events. This is particularly true when buying boxed wine from major supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Co-op.
It’s also convenient. Boxed wine can be transported and stored easily, has a long shelf life once opened (up to six weeks), and is a good option if you need to buy wine in bulk, with many boxes able to hold up to three litres each – the equivalent of four bottles!
But the real question is: how do they taste? Well, our round-up of the best boxed wine to buy in 2024 proves that there are some high-quality players on the market right now. From organic wines to pale roses and jammy reds, these easy-pour wines will impress even the most discerning of wine drinkers. So, whether you’re the type of person who likes to treat themselves to the odd mid-week glass, or you’re throwing a party and want a wine that’s as delicious as it is convenient, then keep on scrolling. These are the best boxed wines 2024 has to offer. Cheers!
Laylo Sauvignon Blanc 2023
What: First, can we take a second to appreciate the beautiful box that Laylo's Sauvignon Blanc is packaged in? The design is a quintessentially French 'Toile de Jouy’ pattern that depicts scenes of rural life, and this particular design has been curated to reflect both the winemaker and the wine. Inside is a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire that’s bursting with tropical fruits, green apples and peaches, is crisp on the palate and has a subtle lift of acidity.
How much: £34.99 for 2.25 litres (three bottles)
Buy now
BOBO Wines Château Marie Plaisance Le Brin Bergerac Merlot 2020
What: BOBO Wines is one of the bougier boxed wines on this list, a company founded by a guy named Chris who wanted to prove that boxed wine could be chic, affordable and, most of all, taste delicious. All its wines are organic, while the boxes themselves are kinder to the planet and use 90% less carbon than glass bottles. It currently has six wines in its range, but our favourite is this rich Merlot bursting with heady notes of blackcurrant, spice and tobacco.
How much: £38 for 2.25 litres (three bottles)
Buy now
19 Crimes Red Wine Box
What: Everyone needs a reliable red in their back pocket, and this one is a guaranteed guzzler. A smooth and fruity finish with notes of chocolate, it’s made from grapes grown in south-eastern Australia. We like the price too; just over 15 quid for the equivalent of two bottles.
How much: £15.50 for 1.5 litres (two bottles)
Buy now
NICE Pale Rose
What: You might recognise NICE for its canned wines at your local supermarket, but their range extends to both bottles and boxes, too. It offers Sauvignon Blanc, rose and Malbec in box form, each for the price of £24 for 2.25 litres. We were impressed by its ‘Pale Rose’, a dry, reassuringly pale number made with grenache grapes, with a hint of strawberry on the palate.
How much: £24 for 2.25 litres (three bottles)
Buy now
The Great Wave Sauvignon Blanc Bag in Box
What: Forever a sucker for packaging, we were particularly drawn to the fact that this Sauvignon Blanc in a box features the famous ‘Great Wave’ on the front. A hint to its refreshing flavour! Aesthetics aside, lovers of a Savvy B are sure to enjoy this vibrant wine’s notes of lime and tropical fruits.
How much: £24.99 for 2.25 litres (three bottles)
Buy now
Jam Shed Shiraz
What: This notoriously sweet red wine is known for its ‘jammy’ flavour – hence the name – and is a good entrance into the world of red wine if you’ve yet to find one you like. For that reason, it pairs really well with sweet things like cakes and desserts, but a juicy steak would also go down a treat. Jam Shed’s Shiraz is filled with cherries, dark fruits and spice, is made with southeastern Australian grapes, and is best served slightly chilled.
How much: £13.75 for 1.5 litres (two bottles)
Buy now
La Vieille Ferme Rose Wine
What: A firm favourite amongst rose fans, Le Vieille Ferme’s French rose is made from a blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah grapes and often comes up trumps compared to other wines in the same price bracket. Expect floral notes with hints of strawberry, peach and citrus.
How much: £15.50 for 1.5 litres (two bottles)
Buy now
Co-op Fairtrade White Blend Box
What: This three litre box packs in an impressive four bottles, making it a great choice if you’re hosting a large celebration. Co-op's White Blend is made with Chardonnay grapes sourced from South Africa’s sun-drenched Breede Kloof Valley region. Fruity and complex, there’s a lot to like about this number, and its Fairtrade contributions push it even higher up the ranks for us.
How much: £20.25 for 3 litres (four bottles)
Buy now
Cabalie Wine Box
What: This French red now comes in handy box form so you can have more of the wine you love. Cabalie is made with grenache grapes and boasts notes of plum, prunes and spice on the palate, plus berries and a hint of herbs on the nose. A medium to full-bodied red you and your mates are sure to love.
How much: £38 for 3 litres (four bottles)
Buy now
Morrisons The Best Pinot Grigio
What: Morrisons offers a please-all Pinot Grigio boxed wine that’s light, dry and crisp. It’s part of its Best Wine collection and, although it might not be winning awards any time soon, is a refreshing drink that the team were pleasantly surpised by. A winner!
How much: £20 for 2.25 litres (three bottles)
Buy now
Boxed Wine: FAQS
Still have questions? Find out more about boxed wine with our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below.
Is boxed wine sustainable?
People often discuss the virtues of boxed wine as being more sustainable than bottled wine. But is that really true? The answer comes down to how its packaged. Boxed wine often comes in 2.25 litre boxes - the equivalent of three bottles - which requires far less packaging than three glass bottles. It's also lighter and more compact, making it easier to transport and thus reducing costs.
Why is boxed wine so cheap?
Boxed wine is often cheaper than bottled wine because it is cheaper to package and transport. It's a common misconception that wine inside a box is poorer quality than bottled wine, when in reality it's the packaging that drives costs down. Of course, you can get some pretty shoddy boxed wine, but if you find the right product and price point, there are some really good bag-in-the-box wines out there.
How long does boxed wine last when opened?
One of the benefits of buying boxed wine is its long shelf life. Once opened, boxed wine can last anywhere up to six weeks!
Can you get good boxed wine?
Of course! There are some amazing pioneers in the world of boxed wine who are proving that it can be both affordable and high-quality in equal measure. BOBO Wines, Laylo and NICE are just a few of our favourite boxed wine brands.
Prefer to drink your wine at a bar, preferably with a couple of sharing plates? Check out our pick of the best wine bars in London, or if you love low-intervention bottles, the best natural wine bars in London.