Four boxed wines for summer enjoyment | Canada Voices

While bag-in-box wines offer convenience, especially for summer gatherings and getaways, the format continues to be viewed as a home for inferior products. The category hasn’t grown much in Canada, despite boxed wine’s ability to keep wine fresh for a month once opened compared to a matter of days for most bottled wines.

The small selection in Canada is likely because unopened boxed wines have a limited shelf life. The plastic pouches inside the boxes are permeable to oxygen on a microscopic level. Due to the risk of oxidation, winemakers won’t risk putting fine wine into bag-in-box packaging unless they are guaranteed a quick sale.

The format is effective for popular, commercial brands that have earned consumer trust for their consistent quality and taste. It’s significant to note the four boxed wines recommended here are more widely available in traditional 750 ml bottle formats.

Domaine Bousquet Malbec Natural Origins Organic (Argentina), $46.99 / 3 L

Rating: 88

Made with malbec from Bousquet’s estate in Tupungato, part of the Uco Valley where some of Argentina’s best wines are grown, this is a ripe and enjoyable red wine with a mix of fruity and earthy flavours. This has structure, intensity and authentic malbec character, which makes this a terrific value for everyday drinking in this format. This has 13.5 per cent ABV and 3 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available in British Columbia.

Folonari Valpolicella Classico (Italy), $50.95 / 3 L

Rating: 88

Here’s a distinctive dry red wine with attractive tart and juicy cherry/berry flavours mixed with spice and earthy notes. The vibrant character works best with a meal, and benefits from a slight chill, which adds to its summertime appeal. Many provincial liquor stores also stock Folonari’s popular pinot grigio in the three-litre format. This has 12.5 per cent ABV and 3 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario, $59.99 in Saskatchewan, $54.99 in Manitoba.

La Vieille Ferme Blanc (France), $39.95 / 3 L

Rating: 88

Produced by the Perrin family, who own the famous Château de Beaucastel estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this value-priced label continues to attract attention for its simple, fresh and satisfying wine styles. The white is a blend of bourboulenc, grenache blanc and other grape varieties common to the South of France, which combine for an enjoyable citrussy and stone fruit flavours. La Vieille Ferme’s well-made rosé and red wine selections are offered in this format in select markets. This has 12.5 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario, $45.99 in Manitoba.

Wayne Gretzky Pinot Grigio (Canada), $47.95 / 3 L

Rating: 90

Gretzky’s namesake winery in Ontario has adopted pinot grigio as one of its white wine varieties. The current 2025 vintage is one of its strongest releases to date, offering a mix of juicy fruit flavours with some floral notes. A creamy texture adds to its crowd-pleasing appeal. This has 12 per cent ABV and 7 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario, $49.99 in Manitoba.