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The best boxed wine for summer that even wine snobs love

Thought wine boxes were just for students and festival-goers? Think again

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VerifiedTested by Food and Drink Testing Manager
best boxed wine

Once reserved for students and festival goers, wine-in-a-bag formats were often seen as inferior. But just as we no longer bat an eyelid at canned wines or screw caps, the best boxed wines are also starting to be taken more seriously.

To sort the utterly delicious from the merely drinkable, the Good Housekeeping Institute has tested the latest vintages, so you can shop with confidence.

Read on to discover which boxed wine was awarded an impressive 94 points in our recent taste test...

Best boxed wine 2025

Read on for more GHI taste test results: Best picky tea | Best canned cocktails | Best red wine | Best white wine | Best rosé

Is wine in boxes any good?

Boxed wine is available at a variety of price points, with the quality to reflect that. Below, you’ll find options from just £13.50 (equivalent to £6.75 a bottle), through to Laylo's Sauvignon Blanc which works out at (a still reasonable) £12.83 a bottle.

Not only has the quality of boxed wine improved substantially in recent years, but its eco-friendly credentials are worth considering too. It’s much more efficient to produce and transport, compared to a heavy glass bottle. In fact, it’s thought boxed wine produces around half the carbon emissions that a bottle does. Win, win.

How quickly should you drink boxed wine?

It will come as no surprise to anyone that boxed wine is not designed to age. Lucky then, that 90% of wine drinkers buy with the intent to drink pretty much immediately (or at least within a few months). Once open, your bag-in-a-box wine will remain fresh for up to six weeks.

For that reason, they're the perfect solution to the mid-week glass conundrum, when you don’t want to commit to finishing the whole bottle (which in contrast will only last between three to five days).

They're also an obvious choice for parties or wedding wine, allowing guests to happily top themselves up without worrying about corkscrews and broken glass.

How many bottles are in a box of wine?

When investing in a box, consider how many bottles you’re getting for the price. It can often be more cost effective to buy larger formats. Here's an easy guide:

  • 1.5L is equivalent to two bottles
  • 2.25L is equivalent to three bottles
  • 3L is equivalent to four bottles

How we test boxed wine

The Good Housekeeping Institute’s panel of 10 WSET-accredited experts and consumers sampled 43 boxed white, red and rosé wines from around the world. They were on the lookout for wines that were a good representation of their grape variety. Each was assessed on its complexity, flavour and finish.

Here’s our pick of the best for 2025, whatever the occasion.

1
Best boxed white wine

Bowl Grabber Alvarinho

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Alvarinho
Now 48% Off

Score: 94/100

We all know we’re supposed to hold our wine glass by the stem, rather than the bowl, but this easy-going brand doesn’t care about old-fashioned etiquette.

The vibrant, fruity wine speaks for itself, picking up nearly full marks from our panel thanks to its zesty citrus notes and saline edge. Team with olives for a refreshing aperitif.

Key specifications

Volume1.5L
ABV12.5%
GrapeAlbariño
CountryPortugal
2
Best boxed red wine

19 Crimes Red Wine Box

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Red Wine Box

Score: 90/100

Cabernet sauvignon is a classic Australian grape, and 19 Crimes displays a complexity you may not expect to find in a box. There’s a rich bouquet of ripe cherry, strawberry and blackcurrant, with subtle hints of eucalyptus, black pepper, and a touch of oak.

It can be served at room temperature, or slightly chilled during the summer months, and is a treat with beef.

Key specifications

Volume1.5L
ABV13.5%
Grape‎Cabernet Sauvignon
CountryAustralia
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3
Best organic boxed wine

Laylo Sauvignon Blanc Boxed Wine

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Sauvignon Blanc Boxed Wine

Score: 85/100

Equivalent to three bottles of wine, yet able to stay fresh for up to six weeks, Laylo’s French sauvignon blanc is a classy affair. The female powerhouse behind the brand put just as much effort into the box design as the contents itself, so it looks great on the kitchen counter while you make your way through it.

Deliciously aromatic, juicy and fresh with notes of lime and tropical fruit, it’s versatile enough to pair with lots of different dishes, making it an excellent table wine.

Key specifications

Volume2.25L
ABV11.5%
GrapeSauvignon Blanc
CountryFrance
4
Best boxed rosé

Bijou Grenache Rosé Le Chic

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Grenache Rosé Le Chic

Score: 83/100

Few wines suit the boxed format quite as well as a crisp rosé, and this one, made from the refined greco di tufo grape, is the perfect example.

Aromatic strawberry, grapefruit and citrus notes are beautifully wrapped up in a dry, refreshing finish that will have you going back for more.

Key specifications

Volume1.5L
ABV12.5%
GrapeGreco di Tufo
CountryFrance
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5
Runner-up boxed rosé

La Vieille Ferme Rosé Wine

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Rosé Wine

Score: 82/100

French wine brand La Vieille Ferme (or the "chicken wine" as it's also known as) built its reputation on the popularity of its blush bottles and has helpfully created this handy boxed format for us. Bright, fresh and aromatic, this is peaches and cream in a glass.

Key specifications

Volume1.5L
ABV13%
GrapeGrenache, Cinsault, Syrah
CountryFrance
6

Tesco Zesty White Wine Bag In Box

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Zesty White Wine Bag In Box

Score: 77/100

Doing exactly what it says on the box, Tesco’s zesty Spanish white wine is crisp and dry, with thirst-quenching acidity. With hints of unripe stone fruit, freshly cut grass and gooseberry, it’s a great match for the best BBQ chicken.

As one tester told us, “This wine is so delicious, it really shows how great boxed wine can be!”

Key specifications

Volume3L
ABV10%
GrapeWhite grape blend - Airén
CountrySpain
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7
Best Fairtrade boxed wine

Co-op Fairtrade Chilean Red Blend

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Fairtrade Chilean Red Blend

Score: 77/100

If you’re looking for an easy drinking red to pair with the best BBQ food, look no further. On the nose, this Chilean red is bursting with berries and black pepper, creating an overall meaty mouthfeel.

Key specifications

Volume3L
ABV12.5%
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alicante Bouschet
CountryChile
8
Best value boxed wine

Aldi Cambalala Sauvignon Blanc

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Cambalala Sauvignon Blanc

Score: 76/100

For sauvignon blanc on a budget, look to Aldi, where this fruity South African wine displays plenty of tropical fruit and zippy acidity, with a refreshing, juicy finish. We’d pair this with grilled prawns, or goats cheese salad.

Key specifications

Volume2.25L
ABV11%
GrapeSauvignon Blanc
CountrySouth Africa
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9

Waitrose Blueprint Romanian Pinot Noir Bag in Box

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Blueprint Romanian Pinot Noir Bag in Box

Score: 75/100

Waitrose’s well-priced Romanian red is a great everyday vino. You can expect notes of cooked strawberries, red cherry and tart cranberry, with a long-lasting finish. Try serving alongside charcuterie, a cheeseboard or bolognese.

Key specifications

Volume1.5L
ABV12.5%
GrapePinot Noir
CountryRomania
10

Lidl Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie Blush DOC

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie Blush DOC

Score: 73/100

Like strawberries and cream in a glass, Lidl’s budget-friendly blush is made for summer gatherings. Peaches, grapefruit and pomegranates all come to the fore, underscored with crisp acidity that would work well with light, leafy salads and grilled fish.

Key specifications

Volume2.25L
ABV11%
GrapePinot Grigio
CountryItaly
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11

Campo Viejo Winemakers Blend Bag In Box Red Wine

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Winemakers Blend Bag In Box Red Wine

Score: 73/100

This aromatic blend from Campo Viejo has rich cherry, blackberry, and kirsch notes, complemented by a touch of spicy woodiness. And while the finish is a little short, its vibrant fruitiness makes it an enjoyable, easy-drinking, medium-bodied red that’s great value for the price.

Key specifications

Volume1.5L
ABV13.5%
GrapeRed blend
CountrySpain

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Headshot of Stacey Smith
Stacey Smith
Senior Food & Drink Editor

Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila.   Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine.    Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business.    You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk

Headshot of Callum Black
Tested byCallum Black
Food and Drink Testing Manager

Callum is our Food and Drink Testing Manager and has been part of the world of professional catering for 10 years, from cheffing to food manufacturing. While working in manufacturing he specialised in bespoke product and menu development for several start-ups and well-known brands such as Wrap It Up! and HOP Vietnamese. He holds the WSET Level 2 in wine, a Level 3 in spirits and has a particular interest in agave spirits.  

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