Alternative wine packaging is revolutionizing the wine industry, and resultantly, the list of best tasting boxed wines is growing. Wines in boxes, pouches, and cans are big business and provide a great way to find affordable wines of decent quality. While you still won't find the top rated, best quality wines in boxes and cans, there are still plenty of delicious, drinkable boxed wines that are perfect for parties or as everyday drinkers.
1. Wine Spectator's Best Box Wine - LOFT Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2014 vintage of LOFT Cabernet Sauvignon is Wine Spectator's top rated box wine, receiving an 89 point rating. Expect to pay around $25 for a 3L box. The publication calls it "complete and easy to enjoy." The wine has also received a 4 out of 5 star review at Wine.com, and consumers note it is "very good for box wine." The wine, which comes from Lodi, has an overall aggregate critics' rating across critics and vintages of 87 points, which is respectable for a boxed wine.
Honorable Mention - House Wine Cabernet Sauvignon
House Wine makes delicious, drinkable, affordable table wines that come in boxes, cans, and bottles. The Cabernet Sauvignon from House Wine received an 87 point Wine Spectator rating. It's a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Merlot and Malbec mixed in for balance. Wine Spectator calls it "lively and fruity." Other wines from House Wine also receive kudos from various reviewers, and you have lots of varietals to choose from in boxes from a consistently good winemaker including Moscato, Malbec, red blend, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Chardonnay, and dark Cabernet Sauvignon. Expect to pay around $25 for a 3L box. Other honorable mentions from Wine Spectator include:
- Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay from Black Box (88 points each)
- Bota Box Cabernet Sauvignon (88 points)
- Wine Cube Chardonnay (88 points)
- Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from The Naked Grape (87 points each)
2. Wine Enthusiast's Box Wine Pick - From the Tank Rosé
Wine Enthusiast calls out Jenny & François Selections From the Tank boxed wines as especially good boxed wines. The top rated of these wines is the rosé from La Patience, a blend of 20% Syrah and 80% Grenache, calling it "solidly delicious year after year." The wine is created using the saignée method, in which light colored wine is bled off of red wine tanks while the wine is still light in color in order to concentrate the flavors of the red wine being made. The wine bled off is packaged as rosé wine. Expect to pay about $25 for a 3L box of this crisp, dry vin de pays from France. Try other From the Tank wines, as well, including Vin Rouge (Grenache, Syrah, Carignan), and Vin Blanc (Chardonnay), which are consistently named among the best tasting boxed wines by wine writers and critics.
Honorable Mention - SCHPLINK Grüner Veltliner
At around $30 for a 3L box, the Grüner Veltliner from SCHPLINK is a great way to experience this German wine varietal if you've never had it. It's a white wine that's acidic and citrusy, so it's perfect for the summer.
3. Food & Wine's Box Wine Selection - Vin Vault Chardonnay
Food & Wine lists Vin Vault Chardonnay as its top boxed wine to serve to a crowd. Expect to pay about $17 for a 3L box of this California Chardonnay. Food & Wine calls it "rich and creamy," and tasting notes say it has the aroma of apples.
Honorable Mention - Château Tassin Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc Wineberry
This wine costs around $35 for a 3L box. It's a crisp, dry blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon made from grapes grown in Bordeaux, France.
4. Beso del Sol White Wine Sangria
At about $20 for a 3L box, the Beso del Sol white wine sangria from Spain is a light, fruity sangria with notes of peach, mango, and citrus. It's the perfect white sangria for sipping on a chill summer afternoon.
5. La Vieille Ferme Red
La Vieille Ferme Red bag in box wine is a red Rhône blend from France. It contains a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre and has spicy, fruity, and lush notes. Consumers at Total Wine & More give it 4.5 out of 5 star ratings, noting it is fruit-forward and uncomplicated but delicious. Expect to pay around $30 for a 3L box.
Finding the Best Tasting Boxed Wines
The boxed wine, canned wine, and pouch wine market is rapidly growing due to the demand for affordable wines that will last longer than a few days after opening, leaving savvy wine consumers spoiled for choice. Boxed wines make great everyday drinkers, and the above best tasting boxed wines are also something you'd be proud to serve to a crowd.
