Wedding Etiquette Forum

Box wine - is it really that bad?

We're having beer and wine only at our reception.  We're looking into an inexpensive red, zin, and white.  I am not a big wine drinker - it all tastes the same to me.  So tell me - would we be making a huge mistake by getting boxed wine?  Anyone doing it?  Not doing it?  And why?  Thanks in advance!

Re: Box wine - is it really that bad?

  • Yes. IMO it really is that bad. You can get really inexpensive bottles that are decent (or at least better than that). 2 buck chuck is a good option at Trader Joes.
  • Yes, it is bad. Especially when your guests see their wine order being poured from a box.Go to Trader Joe's and by Charles Shaw.
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  • Do you have any friend or family that like wine, why not get them to help you choose a wine that tastes good and is low in price?
  • Box wine really doesn't taste the same as the "real" stuff and Irish is exactly right that there are plenty of really inexpensive bottled wines out there.  Ditto to two-buck Chuck, if you're near a Trader Joe's. 
  • Yuck. Yeah, it's bad. Verdi has really cheap ($5-$6) but actually really good sparkling wine...
  • It is terrible if you're going with, say, Franzia. But actually lots of wineries are starting to use boxes because it keeps the wine fresher longer. So I'd stay away from the really cheap stuff, and look into affordable wines without worrying if they come from a box or not.
  • Psh. I like box wine, but I agree it doesnt have the same effect when the bartender gets wine from the spout of a box as a bottle.
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  • Salmon Creek is a very affordable bottle brand.Unless you're just going to cook with it, I wouldn't use box wine.  I'll keep a box of white in the fridge since the bladder collapses and it won't go bad as quickly - however for drinking I want it out of the bottle.What will your meals be? 
  • The minority of our guests are wine drinkers.  We're having chicken and beef.  Thanks for the advice - sounds like it's worth it to go bottles!
  • Yeah, if the guests are going to actually see the wine being poured, I would go with bottles.  But like Venus said, a lot of wineries are now using boxes because it prevents oxidation of the wine and keeps it tasting better longer.  So box does not automatically = cheap and disgusting anymore. 
  • In my opinion, 2 buck chuck is just as nasty as boxed wine. However, lots of wineries in New Zealand and Australia are starting to use boxes, I've heard. Just like now you can get good wine with screw-tops, when it used to be just the cheap stuff. You can also get lrge (like, 5 liter) jugs of really, really good wine. I mean, some really high quality wine comes in huge jugs that restaurants buy. If no one is going to see it poured (like, it's served with dinner), I would do boxed. Most people won't notice. And it's free, so even if they notice they probably won't complain. ;-)
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  • Yes some nice wines now use boxes, but it seemed to me the OP obviously was talking about cheap box wine. People will notice.You are only having a few wine drinkers, so you won't even need to buy much.
  • I actually really like Black Box wine.  They have quite a variety too.  I drink it because it stays fresher longer and then I don't feel oligated to drink a whole bottle in one or two nights.  However, Trader Joe's does have a nice variety of inexpensive wines.  I'm not a fan of the Shaw because it gives me a headache, but it tastes fine.
  • Bota Box is another boxed wine along with Black Box that FI recommends. (He is a wine consultant).If you need other recommendations for affordable wine that tastes good, I can ask him :)
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