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6 Delicious Boxed Wines You Can Buy Locally

By Serena Solomon | September 1, 2015 8:38am | Updated on August 29, 2016 12:06pm
 Wineberry boxed wine
Wineberry boxed wine
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Wineberry.com

NEW YORK CITY — Boxed wine doesn’t have the classiest reputation.

But a new generation of bag-in-box wines is hitting stores with better taste and cool branding. The only thing you will recognize is the same old bang for your buck.

“You are going to see more and more higher-end bottles put in boxes,” said Ian Tennant, the manager of Olivino Wine in Fort Greene.

Like others in New York City’s wine business, Tennant urged customers to give boxed wine a second look. He said the packaging meant a smaller environmental footprint when it comes to shipping and waste. The larger size also helps to preserve the wine longer.

“They are good for a month unlike a bottle or tetra pack that are good for only a day,” he said.

Here’s six boxed wines from around the city:

Red Wineberry from Olivino Wine at 905 Fulton St., Fort Greene
Price: $42.99

Even though Wineberry is a higher priced boxed wine, you’re still averaging a little more than $10 a bottle for the three-liter pack. Tennant described it as dark with an olive taste.

“It’s rich and luscious as we transition out of summer into fall,” he said. “I think it will be a great thing to have one at your table.”

It also comes in an impress-your-friends wooden box.

From the Tank at Union Square Wines, 140 4th Ave. at Union Square
Price: $24.99

From the Tank comes in a chic recycled cardboard box. The winery is located in southern France near Rhone. Despite using red Syrah and Grenache grapes, From the Tank’s rosé comes out light, almost clear. 

Its crisp flavor is a perfect pairing with the 90-degree forecast for Labor Day weekend.

Black Box Cabernet Sauvignon from Blue Streak Wine, 4720 Center Blvd., Long Island City
Price: $23.99

Blue Streak Wine manager Rob Bralow’s favorite boxed wine in stock is the Black Box Cabernet Sauvignon.

“It has really typical cabernet sauvignon notes — blackberry, a little spice,” he said, of the 3-liter box. “You will be surprised in what is essentially a $6 bottle of wine.”

For white or rosé boxed wines that need cooling, Bralow suggested putting an ice pack inside the box to keep the bladder of wine chilled.

White Franzia from Beacon Wines and Spirit at 2120 Broadway, Upper West Side
Price: $19.95

Franzia is probably the first thing people think of when it comes to boxed wine. And it’s an oldie but a goodie, according to John William, from Beacon Wines and Spirit.

“It is a little fruity. It’s not sweet, but it’s not too dry,” he said.

The 5-liter box works out to be less than $3 per bottle and is perfect for a large picnic, William said.

VRAC Cote De Rhone from Astor Wines, 399 Lafayette St., East Village
Price: $35 Astor Wines and Spirits

Sam Davies, a consultant at Astor Wines, points customers to VRAC’s Cote Du Rhone as a prime example of a decent boxed wine.

“It is earthy and hard red wine with dark berry flavors,” he said.

The store also sells it by the bottle so you can test it out before committing to the 3-liter box.

VRAC Rosé from Sea Grape Wine Shop at 512 Hudson St., West Village
Price: $32.99

It’s been tough for wine stores to keep VRAC’s rosé in wine stores the last few summers.

The rosé is crisp, light and dry with red berry fruit notes. It comes from Provence, a hub for rosé wine making, and has a grape mix of Grenache, carignan and cinsault.