Does Boxed Wine Ever Actually Expire?
The humble box of wine: It doesn't carry as much prestige as a vintage bottle, aged for years to reach the perfect, expensive taste. All the same, boxed wine is a workhorse, both tasty and easy to dispense and store. Boxed wine (also known as bag-in-box wine or BIB) is perfect for entertaining at large parties, or simply dispensing a nice, chilled glass of wine at dinner. But you might wonder about the shelf life of boxed wine. After all, wine, in general, is known for its long shelf life, but does that extend to boxed wine? Essentially, does boxed wine ever actually expire?
Well, the simple answer is: Yes. An unopened box of wine has a shorter shelf life than its bottled counterpart, usually lasting between six and eight months. Boxed wine usually includes a "best by" label on the box, which should indicate how long the box will last. This shelf life is shorter than most bottles of wine, as boxed wine is stored in a plastic bladder that is more porous than a glass wine bottle, making it more prone to oxidization, which causes wine to lose its luster over time. So yes, essentially, boxed wine does go bad.
However, this doesn't mean that you should discount boxed wine entirely, as its shorter unopened shelf life is countered by its extended shelf life once opened. Whereas bottles of wine generally turn three to five days after opening, boxed wine can last for six weeks in the fridge once opened, which makes opening the container less of a commitment than cracking open a bottle.
How the box differs from the bottle
So, what are the ways that boxed wine differs from bottled wine, and what are the benefits of each? In terms of long-term storage, bottled wine has a longer shelf life, generally lasting anywhere from one to twenty years, depending on the wine, if it's stored properly in a cool, dark place. Because of its oxidization-prone packaging, unopened boxed wine only has a shelf life of about six to eight months. However, what it lacks in unopened shelf-life, it more than makes up for in its shelf life after opening. Opened boxed wine can last several weeks in the refrigerator thanks to its vacuum-sealed packaging, which reduces further oxidization. Bottles, on the other hand, inevitably leave room for oxidization once opening. And even if you diligently store an open bottle of wine by recorking and refrigerating it, the beverage won't last more than a few days.
So really, the plastic packaging of boxed wine is a bit of a mixed bag, with both benefits and drawbacks. Boxed wine has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, thanks to its extended shelf life once opened and its convenient container, which makes it the perfect wine of choice for entertaining. So next time you're at the grocery store or wine store, give the boxed choices a try.
How to tell if your boxed wine has turned
Ok, so you know the shelf life of your boxed wine both opened and unopened. But how can you tell if your boxed wine has, well, turned? After all, guidance on wine storage tends to be pretty general, and even if your boxed wine is within its "best by" date, it is best to make sure you know the signs that your wine has gone bad. For starters, a change in your wine's color is a clear indicator that oxidization has occurred. If your wine looks duller than previous servings or has simply changed colors in some way, it is probably best to toss the remainder of the container.
Additionally, you should make a note of any changes in smell. If your wine smells off, you should probably dispose of it. If your wine smells acidic or like any type of vinegar, it is a clear indication that your wine has gone bad. And, of course, a change in taste is an indication that your wine is no longer good. If your wine tastes different than how it initially tasted — more acidic or simply off — then you should probably replace your wine. However, keeping these signs in mind, your boxed wine should last for at least a few weeks in the refrigerator, so don't shy away from buying a box.