Boxed wine gets a bad rap. But does it really deserve it? Just because it’s usually associated with poor college kids trying to get drunk for cheap doesn’t mean it has no good qualities. Here are some of the top reasons why boxed wine beats bottled.
1. You’ll save money.
Photo by Kristine Auble
It’s not exactly a surprise that boxed wine is cheaper than bottled. But inexpensive doesn’t necessarily mean lower quality. Producers save money on packaging when they don’t have to deal with glass, corks, foil and all that jazz. Plus, cardboard is a lot lighter than glass, so it’s less expensive to ship. Case in point: Black Box wine is known for being pretty dang good quality at a great price. If $20 can get you three liters — which is four bottles’ worth, for those who don’t want to do the math — then the choice is obvious.
2. Wine stays fresh longer.
Photo by Kristine Auble
As tempting as it is to devour it all, you don’t have to rush to finish boxed wine. Wine starts going bad when it’s exposed to oxygen, which is why your typical bottle starts tasting different just a few days after you open it. Boxed wine, on the other hand, has a plastic bag inside that collapses as you pour it, meaning less oxygen can sneak in there. After it’s opened, refrigerated boxed wine can stay fresh for a month or two. That will depend on whether it actually lasts that long before you drink it all, that is.
3. Your friends won’t know the difference.
Photo by Krysten Dorfman
Making a big batch of sangria for a day-drink? Prepare it in the pitcher before friends come and get rid of the evidence. You won’t have to listen to the disapproval of others who aren’t as well-versed as you are in the qualities of boxed wine.
4. SLAP THE BAG.
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Need I say more? Sipping from a bottle — or a Solo cup if you really feel the need to be classy — just can’t compare to the fun of having your friends cheer for you as you chug straight from a plastic bag.
5. It’s eco-friendly.
Photo by Kristine Auble
Sure, glass is recyclable, but cardboard is recyclable and biodegradable. So even if you don’t feel like walking to the recycling bin, you still won’t be doing the worst for the environment. Plus, glass takes more energy to produce than cardboard, so you’re doing the planet some good even before you start drinking.
6. It’s easier to deal with.
Photo by Kristine Auble
Who needs to deal with corkscrews when you can pop a spigot straight out of the box? Better yet, brands like Bandit come in a carton, so all you have to do is screw the top open. Bam, no more worrying about breaking the cork or chipping your nail polish on the foil.
7. You won’t accidentally break it.
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Glass is fragile, so sticking a bottle in a bag can be a risky move. If your wine comes in cardboard, you don’t have to worry about staining everything red if your wine-drunk self isn’t being as careful as you should.
Clearly, boxed wine doesn’t deserve its subpar reputation. If you’re ready to be an equal opportunity wino, buy yourself a box (or two). You’ll be thankful you did.
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