by Samantha Bakall & Molly Harbarger
If you're trying to drink wine on a budget and you're not drinking boxed wine, you're missing out. Boxed wine has long been one of the most maligned wines in the industry, even though it's always been the more affordable and environmentally friendly option. In the past few years, boxed wine has grown into a compelling genre of its own, reaching beyond the familiar Franzia and Carlo Rossi to include European brands and even local Oregon and Washington wineries. On a recent fateful evening with the upcoming winter holidays in mind, we sat down and blind-sampled 45 boxed wines -- 19 white and 26 red wines -- to bring you this ranked guide to the best and the worst wines available at major grocery stores across the city. For both reds and whites, we tried to buy the same variety. Most of the whites are pinot grigio, with a handful of sauvignon blanc and chardonnay (not our favorite) mixed in, depending on what producers offered. Reds are mostly cabernet sauvignon with an occasional merlot, pinot noir or Italian/Spanish variety. Wines were purchased from Fred Meyer, QFC, New Seasons, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. We found the most wines at Fred Meyer and QFC, which both had a sale running when we bought the wines. The price/bottle calculations are based on what we paid, but may vary when you make your purchase. Here's our guide to every boxed wine we could find at major grocery stores, ranked from best to worst.
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
BEST: Provisions Pinot Gris, 3L (Fred Meyer)
To be honest, we weren’t really wowed by any of the white wines, but we found this boxed wine to be crisp, refreshing and the most straight-from-the-bottle convincing. Pour this one for company and they might not know the difference.
Price per bottle: $3.77 Price per box: $15.11
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
House Wine Chardonnay, 3L (Fred Meyer)
This fruity, easy-drinking white with a hint of coconut would be a great happy hour pour.
Price per bottle: $3.59 Price per box: $14.39
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Franzia Vintner Select Chardonnay, 5L (Fred Meyer)
Color us surprised. The wine we thought would make a great porch-drinking wine was none other than Franzia, the “world’s most popular wine” that’s a particular favorite for college drinking games like slap the bag and the eponymous Tour de Franzia.
Price per bottle: $2.09 Price per box: $13.94
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Terra da Malta Branco, 5L (QFC)
A little floral, a little funky, this would be perfect for a warm summer night barbecue, though it was a little perfume-y.
Price per bottle: $3.64 Price per box: $24.29
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Almaden Vineyards Heritage Chardonnay, 5L (Fred Meyer)
This was a good, non-offensive house white. We’d pay $5 for a glass of this.
Price per bottle: $2.22 Price per box: $14.84
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
The Naked Grape California Pinot Grigio, 3L (Fred Meyer)
Smells really fruity, like cafeteria fruit salad, with a nice, bright finish.
Price per bottle: $3.55 Price per box: $14.21
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Badger Mountain Pure White 2016 Columbia Valley Organic White Wine, 3L (Fred Meyer)
We’re about to enter the “smells good, tastes bad” region, where most of the next few wines smelled promising, but didn’t stick the landing. This locally produced white had a perfume-y nose, but was flat and had an aftertaste like moldy cheese, which we like in ciders but not as much in wine.
Price per bottle: $4.04 Price per box: $16.19
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Block White Wine Pinot Grigio, 3L (Trader Joe's)
Good floral smell, not a great taste. But we wouldn’t kick it out of bed either.
Price per bottle: $6.50 Price per box: $25.98
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Folonari Pinot Grigio delle Venezie Indicazione Geografica Tipica, 3L (New Seasons)
Boring and unimaginative, this is the white wine equivalent of watching paint dry.
Price per bottle: $4.99 Price per box: $19.99
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Le Vieille Ferme White Blanc, 3L (QFC)
Jasmine nose, but harsh and rancid flavor.
Price per bottle: $5.62 Price per box: $22.49
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Bota Box Pinot Grigio 2016 California, 3L (Fred Meyer)
This wine’s cheap floral nose couldn’t overcome the bland taste and mouth-burning finish.
Price per bottle: $3.77 Price per box: $15.11
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Bandit Wines Pinot Grigio, 3L (Fred Meyer)
Sweet and coats your mouth. Not a fan.
Price per bottle: $4.16 Price per box: $16.64
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Carlo Rossi Founder's Blend California Chardonnay, 5L (Fred Meyer)
If you like sweet wines like moscato (we don’t), you’ll dig this.
Price per bottle: $2.09 Price per box: $13.94
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Smelled like s’mores and burnt marshmallow but had a fake raspberry Jell-o aftertaste. Bye!
Price per bottle: $3.82 Price per box: $15.29
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Loft 2015 California Sauvignon Blanc, 3L (Fred Meyer)
Smelled like a cheap candle, tasted like a cheap candle.
Price per bottle: $4.67 Price per box: $18.71
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Peter Vella Vineyards Chardonnay California Table Wine, 5L (Fred Meyer)
We thought this wine was dead inside, like someone was trying to make apple cider but used bad apples.
Price per bottle: $2.09 Price per box: $13.49
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Corbett Canyon Pinot Grigio, 3L (Fred Meyer)
This box tasted like nothing at the front and like dirty water at the end.
Price per bottle: $2.65 Price per box: $10.61
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Black Box Sauvignon Blanc, 3L (Fred Meyer)
We never want to drink this wine again, with its candy and household cleaner nose that was more reminiscent of nail polish remover than sauvignon blanc.
Price per bottle: $3.71 Price per box: $14.84
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
WORST: Vin Vault California Chardonnay, 3L (Fred Meyer)
This wine apparently was rated the "overall best tasting boxed wine brand," according to a medal printed on the box. Well, sorry The Tasting Panel. This was definitely the worst boxed wine we drank, not only across the white wines, but the reds, too. This tasted like suntan lotion and regret.
Price per bottle: $4 Price per box: $16.01
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
BEST: The Naked Grape California Cabernet Sauvignon, 3L (Fred Meyer)
We were all on board with this earthy, peppery wine that smelled like dried apricots and echinacea.
Price per bottle: $3.55 Price per box: $14.21
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Loft 2016 California Cabernet Sauvignon, 3L (Fred Meyer)
We’d drink this jammy wine with a touch of smoke on the nose in our pajamas.
Price per bottle: $4.67 Price per box: $18.71
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Block Red Wine Cabernet Sauvignon, 3L (Trader Joe's)
This one smelled like grandpa’s attic in a good way, with a light coconut nose. It’s good for pairing with food or drinking on its own. And, it’s also one we already keep on the counter.
Price per bottle: $6.49 Price per box: $25.98
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Bota Box 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, 3L (Fred Meyer)
With big fruit and a little must on the nose, this dry and earthy wine was one of our favorites.
Price per bottle: $3.77 Price per box: $15.11
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Bandit Cabernet Sauvignon, 3L (Fred Meyer)
This dry, berry-forward wine has a big personality and is one you’d definitely want to introduce to the parents.
Price per bottle: $4.16 Price per box: $16.64
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Duas Uvas Vinho Tinto, 3L (QFC)
This jammy, Portuguese wine has a nose of wet rocks and a dark, secretive past. This wine probably committed petty theft in its teenage years, but it’s really matured since then.
Price per bottle: $3.37 Price per box: $13.49
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Big House Wine Co. Pinot Noir, 3L (Fred Meyer)
A benign, funky, easy-drinking wine that would be great for food. Reminiscent of a mild table wine.
Price per bottle: $3.82 Price per box: $15.29
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Badger Mountain Pure Red 2016 Organic Columbia Valley Red Wine, 3L (New Seasons)
This Washington-grown wine had a crisp salinity with a floral, seaweedy funk.
Price per bottle: $5.74 Price per box: $22.99
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Terra da Malta Vinho Tinto, 5L (QFC)
Another leathery, fruity wine whose mildness would pair well with food.
Price per bottle: $3.64 Price per box: $24.29
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Vina Borgia Garnacha 2015, 3L (QFC)
A promising nose with a cherry pie finish.
Price per bottle: $4.49 Price per box: $17.99
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Domaine le Clos des Lumieres Cotes du Rhone, 3L (QFC)
Book sniffers, this one’s for you. With an old-book nose, this dry, thought-provoking yet mild wine is one you’d drink slowly with an old favorite in hand.
Price per bottle: $4.94 Price per box: $19.79
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Bodegas Orusco Vino, 3L (New Seasons)
This wine has a blue cheese finish like a French cider, but tastes classy, if not challenging.
Price per bottle: $5.74 Price per box: $22.99
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
San Giorgio Sangiovese Puglia, 3L (QFC)
It tastes like drinking old strawberries with a peppery bite and has an alcoholic finish that can be overwhelming with some sips.
Price per bottle: $4.94 Price per box: $19.79
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Cantine Povero Piemonte Barbera, 3L (QFC)
We disagreed on this Italian wine. One of us found it watery though a little spicy and the other found it leathery and easy drinking.
Price per bottle: $5.17 Price per box: $20.69
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Ananto Bobal & Tempranillo, 3L (QFC)
Charred barrel on the nose, juicy mouthfeel, but no aftertaste and kind of bland.
Price per bottle: $3.82 Price per box: $15.29
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
We found it, folks. This wine is the epitome of boxed red wine. It’s red and it comes in a box.
Price per bottle: $4.04 Price per box: $16.19
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Espiga Tinto, 3L (Fred Meyer)
This wine tastes like it sat out on a counter for a week and lost all of its characteristics.
Price per bottle: $4.61 Price per box: $18.44
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Franzia Vintner Select Cabernet Sauvignon, 5L (Fred Meyer)
Another surprise: We didn’t hate this Franzia either, though it was bland and watery. The wine’s mild coriander flavor might be a turnoff for those with a distaste for cilantro.
Price per bottle: $2.09 Price per box: $13.49
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Vin Vault Cabernet Sauvignon, 3L (Fred Meyer)
Mildly sweet and leathery, it was overwhelmingly perfume-y.
Price per bottle: $4 Price per box: $16.01
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
La Vieille Ferme Red, 3L (Fred Meyer)
This wine had an ashy nose, but burned going down. Next.
Price per bottle: $5.62 Price per box: $22.49
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Provisions Merlot, 3L (Fred Meyer)
Tastes musty, old attic in a bad way, like pulling out clothes you haven’t worn in five years. Astringent.
Price per bottle: $3.77 Price per box: $15.11
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Our Daily Red California Red Wine 1.5L (Whole Foods)
This wine tastes like cookies? It’s also the only wine that doesn’t come in a bag, just a box, so once you open it, you only have a few days to drink it.
Price per bottle: $7.49 Price per box: $14.99
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Black Box 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, 3L (Fred Meyer)
A juicy, cream-soda-scented wine that is a little too sweet for our liking.
Price per bottle: $3.71 Price per box: $14.84
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
House Wine Cabernet Sauvignon, 3L (Fred Meyer)
We tasted notes of melon, ash, leather and algae? This one reminded one of us of their childhood aquarium.
Price per bottle: $3.59 Price per box: $14.39
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Peter Vella Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, 5L (Fred Meyer)
A trick. Another one that smells good then tastes bad, this ended up being cloyingly sweet.
Price per bottle: $2.09 Price per box: $13.49
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
WORST: Carlo Rossi Founder's Blend Cabernet Sauvignon, 5L (Fred Meyer)
Sorry, Carlo. This wine had notes of honeydew, our least favorite melon, backed up by an overall fake taste. Save the $13.49 and buy literally any other wine on this red list.
Price per bottle: $2.09 Price per box: $13.49
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