Though there’s something oh-so satisfying about popping a cork out of a new bottle of wine, boxed wine is an easy-to-pack alternative that pours for a crowd. It’s exactly what it sounds like: wine in a box. Some may see boxed wine as unpolished, but there are plenty that even sophisticated wine drinkers can get behind. After all, times are changing and the good ‘ole days of Franzia are over. “There’s a lot of good quality wine that’s going into the box these days, and it’s not as cheap anymore,” says Marshall Tilden III, Wine Enthusiast’s chief revenue and education officer. Boxed wine can reach $100—the equivalent of $25 per bottle, which is a steal for fine wine. Whether you’re heading to a barbecue or simply looking for something that keeps fresh longer in the fridge, we’ve got you covered. Here are the best boxed wines, according to industry insiders. Is Boxed Wine Good Quality? In short, boxed wine is a perfectly good option when you’re looking for a portable wine that can serve a crowd. But, it’s all about managing expectations. “I’ve never had boxed wine that has blown me away,” shares Tilden. “But I’ve had plenty of good, solid 85- and 90-point wine, which is where I expect a good boxed wine to be.” Wine Enthusiast’s Tasting Director Anna-Christina Cabrales agrees, noting that the quality of boxed wines is dependent on the wine itself. “It really depends on what you’re putting in the bag,” she says, referring to the plastic bag-in-box (BIB) that contains the wine. And recently, what’s going into the bag has gotten an upgrade. Some reputable wineries are beginning to “bottle” some of their fine wines in boxes as a sustainable solution to shipping and storage inefficiencies. For example, Tablas Creek Vineyard was amongst the first to pilot the concept with a rosé blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Counoise. “When the wine in the box is this good, it’s a no-brainer,” shared wine writer Sara L. Schnieder in the Robb Report after the product’s release in 2021. So, some boxes may be worth breaking into. “Once you lose the negative connotation of wine that comes out of a box, you can just get to the juice inside—and usually it’s pretty good,” says Tilden. “Give it a taste before you start knocking what’s inside.” In the Shop Shatterproof Outdoor Wine Glasses Now in New Looks Shop Now The 11 Best Boxed Wines FAQs How Many Glasses of Wine Are in a Box? This varies based on the size of the box of wine. An average boxed wine holds about three liters of wine, or four 750ml bottles. A standard glass of wine is five ounces, so this holds approximately 20 glasses of wine. Is Boxed Wine as Good as Bottled? If the wine itself is of high quality, then it shouldn’t matter whether it’s bottled, canned or boxed, right? Well, not so fast. Boxed wine can be just as good as bottled, but it depends on what type of wine we’re talking about. When choosing a boxed wine, aim for something that is meant to be consumed within a few months rather than a Cabernet or Pinot Noir that fends better with age. Given the corkless design of boxed wine, we’re not looking to age this stuff. “This is for right now,” Cabrales immediately counters when entertained with the idea of maturing boxed wine. “My rule of thumb is I try to keep it simple,” shares Tilden, who gravitates toward Zinfandel and Pinot Grigio when selecting a boxed wine. How Long Does Boxed Wine Last? Although it isn’t ideal for aging, one of the benefits of boxed wine is that it can stay fresh for up to six weeks in the fridge after opening. According to Cabrales, this is because the packaging works against gravity. “You’re pushing the air out—not pushing the air in, per se—since the spout is at the bottom,” she says. In comparison, an opened bottle of wine can spoil within a few days. Learn more about how to care for your bottles by checking out our guides on why wine goes bad and how to store wine properly. Does Boxed Wine Expire? On the flip side, boxed wine does have a shelf life. Most companies recommend pouring it out no later than six to eight months after purchasing. As a best practice, we recommend buying boxed wine as you intend to consume it, versus stockpiling it in the garage corner for a rainy day.