Back in 2009, Vinchio Vaglio decided to accept the challenge, we were among the first ones to do so, and we still stand by the idea that ‘the container does not make the content’. In recent years, the Bag in Box has gained popularity as a practical and sustainable alternative to the glass bottle for young, everyday wines. However, despite its advantages, several misconceptions about this system of wine packaging still persist, and we are ready to disprove them one by one!
1. “‘Wine is not preserved well’”
One of the most common misconceptions is that the Bag in Box does not guarantee a proper preservation of wine. In fact, the inner sack, designed to prevent oxygen from entering, precisely prevents oxidation of the wine.
Unlike an open bottle, which undergoes rapid deterioration, Bag in Box wine can maintain its freshness for up to 6 weeks after opening (and up to a year for the packaged product). For wines for everyday consumption, this is certainly an advantageous choice.
That’s why the first glass of Barbera will ALWAYS be as good as the last!
2. “It takes up too much space”
Many people think the Bag in Box takes up too much space, but in fact it is exactly the opposite. The compact, square design allows for optimised storage in the refrigerator or pantry, and for those who want to keep it in plain sight, we have also created a beautiful wooden container.
In addition, compared to glass bottles, the Bag in Box significantly reduces weight and bulk in transport, lowering CO₂ emissions. To give an example: for one lorry carrying 5-litre BiB, one has to consider 7 lorries transporting the equivalent wine in 75 cl bottles.
The Bag in Box that is most commonly used in households comes in 3 or 5 litre versions. If you buy them online, we recommend that you always order them in multiples of 4: shipping will be easier and the contents safer.
3. “Only cheap, second-rate wine”
This is certainly the most ingrained false myth! While Bag in Box used to be associated with low-quality wines, this is no longer the case.
It is not a ‘second choice’, but rather a different format for young and still everyday wines.
Did you know that over 90% of our Bag in Box wines are DOC?
4. “Wine gets to taste like cardboard”
Some believe that wine can take on an altered taste because of the container, but this is not the case: the inner bag is made of certified food-grade plastic materials designed not to release any taste or odour.
Furthermore, unlike cork, there is no risk of contamination by TCA (trichloroanisole), the compound responsible for the so-called ‘corky taste’.
5. “It is only for heavy drinkers”
The Bag in Box format is not designed exclusively for those who consume large quantities of wine. It is in fact perfect for those who like to indulge in a glass during meals.
Thanks to the hermetically sealed tap, the wine remains intact for a long time, ensuring gradual consumption without any waste.
6. “It is not sustainable because it contains plastic”
Quite the contrary! The Bag in Box is currently the most environmentally friendly solution for wine packaging.
According to comparative carbon footprint studies, this system reduces CO₂ emissions in transport by up to 80 per cent compared to glass bottles, due to its light weight and smaller volume occupied.
Furthermore, sorting the materials (cardboard and plastic) allows for easy disposal and recycling. Once empty, the bag and cardboard can be easily disposed of by folding them back on themselves.
