The Bag in Box: a game-changer wine

Article by Carla Benvenuto.

Wine bottles purists may scoff at wine preserved inside the so-called Bag in Box (aka BiB). But this modern packaging presents countless benefits; even though it cannot be compared – in a romantic way – to the glass, the BiB is now chosen over the bottle. Let’s see give it a look in more details and discover all of its advantages. 

What is a Bag in Box?

Although it may seem like a simple cardboard box that contains wine, it is much more than that.

The BIB was invented and patented in the USA in the 1950s. It is made of cardboard of various shapes and dimensions that are useful to protect and contain a vacuum-sealed bag made of two-fold materials: metallic polyester for the exterior part, while food safe polyethene for the inside. Moreover, the box has a thermo-sealed valve to pour the wine, which is the real BIB innovation, since it allows the liquid out while avoiding any contact with the air. And here come the perks of this packaging.

Bag in Box: the advantages

The bag is completely filled with wine, preventing air to get inside while the liquid is poured out. This is possible thanks to both the particular valve and the bag materials: the wine flows out, but the oxygen does not get in. Obviously, this avoids the first cause of wine spoilage, aka wine oxidation, a typical problem to face when leaving a wine bottle opened. Therefore, the Bag in Box turns out to be as yet the best wine container on the market for domestic and everyday use. It guarantees a steady quality of the product even for occasional and sporadic form of consumption because it does not affect the wine features. Moreover, the cardboard box provides protection against crushing, possible impacts or cuts, it also prevents changes in temperature and light. Last but not least: BIB is a perfect solution for shipment with carriers because it does not need any of those particular, expensive packaging materials used for glass bottles.

Bag in Box sizes

3 and 5 litres are the most commonly used BIB sizes, corresponding respectively to four and six 75cl wine bottles, therefore tailormade for domestic use. You can also find much bigger sizes such as 10 and 20 litres, more suitable for the restaurant business. Having a wide range of sizes aims to meet the various consumers’ needs, who may feel free to purchase the best-suited BIB to their needs.

Only in recent years, BiBs have known a surge in demand, even more so in Italy. Here, the long tradition of wine glass bottles played an important role: people had many prejudices against this new packaging.They thought Box wines as low-quality products.

But BiBs have come a long way, and nowadays, the situation is changing.The number of wineries and consumers who are choosing this new format is increasing more and more. An Italian company that made the BIB his best-selling and most demanded product is Torri Cantine. Two are the selected formats – 3 and 5 litres – and many are the possible wine varieties to be chosen in this new outfit. You can buy your 3 or 5 litres Bag in Box of Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Doc*, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Doc, Trebbiano D’Abruzzo Doc, Passerina IGT and Pecorino IGT. All of these are organic wines and come within the practical, good-looking BIB format. The company logo is stamped on the boxes, and the DOC strip seal -the same found on the DOC bottleneck- is attached on the boxes. *DOC: (Denomimazione di Origine Controllata) Controlled Area of Origin. The attention to details and wine quality stand out in the practical Torri Cantine Bag in Box format at an affordable price. 

3L Bag in Box Cerasuolo D’Abruzzo DOC Torri Cantine

Everyone knows it: Summer means going out with friends and having picnics and BBQs on the terrace or in the parks. For all these occasions and many others, the BIB is just what you should look for. I have personally tried the 3 litres-size Cerasuolo Bag in Box of Torri Cantine winery. Before tasting it, I only had two questions in my mind: will this format be able to keep intact all features of the grape variety? Once the BiB is opened, will the wine quality deteriorates as you work through the bag?

I was pleasantly surprised by the answers: Yes, all features of the grape variety are perfectly recognizable. And Yes, the BIB keeps the wine fresher for longer!

This Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is a Rosé wine and derives from 100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo grapes. Grapes are vinified in stainless steel tanks, where they have a short contact with the skins – 6 to 7 hours- under a controlled temperature. In the glass, the wine has a cherry-pink colour. On the nose, the aromas range from delicate red fruits, such as raspberry, pomegranate, ribes, cherry to floral hints of geranium and carnation and a slightly spicy note, typical of Montepulciano grapes. The mouthfeel is soft, crisp and persistent with distinct acidity, perfectly balanced and enjoyable… it has nothing to envy to the Cerasuolo wine bottle!

This new BIB packaging was such a pleasant surprise! Practical and convenient without sacrificing wine quality! Let’s break down prejudice and welcome new inventions with curiosity and humility. You will be surprised, just as much as I was!

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