There are various types of containers for wine.
Generally, wine is contained in glass wine bottles, but recently, wines using containers such as PET bottles, paper, and cans have increased.
Meanwhile, in recent years, Bag-in-Box (BIB), which can package large volumes of wine, has begun to attract global attention.
In the past, BIB wine had a strong image of being cheap and poor quality, but now the quality of BIB is improving.
This time, "CRAFT WINE SHOP" introduces recommended BIBs made by Japanese producers. We will also share the merits of BIB.
Basic knowledge of BIB
Bag-in-Box (BIB) is a container where a bag (plastic bag) is placed inside a box (cardboard box), and it is used not only for wine but also for various products. (It is also called box wine)
In the case of BIB wine, the capacity is generally said to be 2 to 4 liters, but there are also types exceeding 20L, showing a wide range of sizes as a feature.
The inner bag of the BIB is made of materials such as polyethylene, which can maintain the quality of the wine, and the box shape makes it easy to transport and carry, which is also considered a merit.
Also, the bottom of the BIB is equipped with a tap-like spout, making it easy to pour and highly sealed, which is a point that allows you to enjoy wine with maintained quality over a long period.
It is said that the BIB wine was invented by an Australian winemaker, and through technological innovations based on that idea, the tap-type BIB like today was created.
Reasons to choose BIB
BIB is now attracting attention worldwide.
However, as mentioned at the beginning, there are probably quite a few people who have a bad image of BIB.
Some people have an extreme image that BIBs are the lowest rank products sold commercially, such as those containing large amounts of additives or other mixtures that cause an odd taste, a final disposal method to turn low-quality wine into money, or items for restaurants to serve a liquid called wine regardless of quality.
Certainly, there may have been such BIBs in the past, but in recent years the quality of BIB has improved dramatically, and there are quite a few that are of higher quality than the generally sold wine bottles.
Let me share four reasons why you should choose BIB.
① It has become quality-oriented
One of the merits of choosing BIB is that the BIB category has become quality-oriented.
There are still BIBs in the world today that make you question their quality, but many winemakers are trying to break away from that and are starting to compete based on the quality of the contents.
Modern consumers will not pay attention to BIBs if the grape variety is unknown, or if it is labeled vaguely as “red wine or white wine (style?),” or if the origin of the wine is unclear.
Therefore, there are BIBs that specify grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, production countries or areas, wineries, and even those claiming to be organic.
Of course, there are not only red and white wines but also rosé wines, and you can freely choose types from sweet to dry.
And overseas, the trend of premiumization of BIB is becoming more pronounced.
Overseas, there are even BIBs recommended by master sommeliers that cost nearly 10,000 yen.
In the U.S., due to easier access to infrastructure for boxing wine, small-scale producers have started producing high-quality BIBs, according to reports.
Also, in France, BIB accounts for much of the wine sold domestically, and it seems to be attracting attention as a category with global business opportunities.
As a unique item, some brands have started selling cylindrical BIBs with handles on top instead of square ones, focusing on appearance.
Nowadays, BIB is becoming a quality-first, cool presence.
② Focus on preservation
BIB is characterized by its high preservation capability.
The outside of the BIB is paper, but the inside is layered with materials like low-density polyethylene to protect the wine from deterioration.
Unlike glass bottles, no light enters, and since it has a tap type, almost no oxygen gets in, which helps keep the wine fresh.
Of course, once opened, it does not maintain quality indefinitely, but compared to typical bottled wine, you can enjoy the wine without significant quality deterioration for 3 to 4 weeks, or up to a month in some cases.
This is a welcome benefit for those who want to drink a small amount of wine daily or for businesses that want to offer glass wine cost-effectively.
③ Easy to carry (and even more eco-friendly)
BIB also has the advantage of being easy to carry.
Since BIB materials are lightweight, it is obvious that they are easier to carry compared to glass wine bottles.
Of course, they are great for wine parties at home, but their performance in outdoor scenes like BBQs with BIB is also remarkable.
Most are the usual box type with handles, so a single person can easily carry a large capacity of wine.
For example, if you plan to use 3.5 liters of wine at a BBQ, with BIB you only need to carry one, but with wine bottles, you would have to carry four, making a big difference in burden.
Furthermore, glass bottles carry the risk of breakage and require transport items, and carrying empty bottles home after drinking can be a hassle.
BIB is designed to be foldable when empty (making recycling easy), and even if some wine remains, you can enjoy it again at home without worrying about quality.
By the way, since BIB is lighter than wine bottles, it also has the eco-friendly advantage of reducing carbon dioxide emissions during transportation.
④ Cost-effective and usable in a wide range of situations
BIB has the advantages of being cost-effective and usable in a wide range of situations.
To put it more simply, it offers a wide variety of capacities, designs, and contents, with high quality and low price as advantages.
As mentioned above, BIB allows you to freely choose color types such as red, white, and rosé wines, and you can easily select capacities from 2 liters to 4 liters, 10 liters, etc., according to the occasion.
You can also enjoy it with the usual sense of choosing wine, focusing on quality, organic, single variety, and region.
It is convenient for daily meals, wine parties with friends, outdoor BBQs, or when you want to use a little as cooking wine.
And above all, the advantage of BIB is its price range.
Although premiumization is progressing, since these products are based on large volumes, they are cheaper compared to regular wine bottles.
While premium wines with particular attention to detail are attractive, for those who drink wine daily, an economical approach to enjoying wine is important.
A fresh, easy-to-drink wine that also offers authentic complexity.
Why not try choosing a BIB?
Recommended BIB "KAZU WINE" from "CRAFT WINE SHOP"
At "CRAFT WINE SHOP," we recommend the BIB from the new brand "KAZU WINE," launched by Japanese winemaker Kazuo Fujimaki.
It is a very unique wine brand that does not own its own vineyards or wineries but makes wine at wineries of friends scattered around the world.
When you think of BIB, you might imagine huge overseas wineries, but "CRAFT WINE SHOP" handles very rare and unique items made by Japanese producers.
Mr. Fujimaki, who harbored the ambition of making wine overseas and selling it in Japan, has delivered high-quality wines to us.
However, last year, due to the yen depreciation, rising raw material, supplies, and transportation costs, it became difficult to deliver wine to Japan at a satisfactory quality and price.
"KAZU WINE," which is more expensive than the Japanese wine handled by Mr. Fujimaki, was looking for ways to make wine cheaper overseas.
At that time, a friend who is a winemaker said, "A Spanish friend is making BIB; are you interested?"
That was the trigger for Mr. Fujimaki to start making BIB.
In the past, BIB had a very bad reputation for quality and image, but now the increase in quality-focused BIBs also encouraged Mr. Fujimaki.
They rented a corner of a winery facility in La Mancha and spent 3 nights and 4 days making wine for BIB using carefully selected organic grapes.
One and a half years later, the "KAZU WINE" BIB finally arrived.
Three types using local Spanish grapes—white, rosé, and red—have been completed.
Each has a solid aroma and fruitiness, while keeping the alcohol content low, resulting in a clean and never boring taste.
The capacity is 3 liters, equivalent to four 750ml bottles, so even if you drink 100cc a day, you can enjoy it for a month.
From here, let me introduce the BIB of such "KAZU WINE."
KAZU WINE / KAZU MAX BLANCO 2022
BIB (white) made from carefully selected organic grapes (Airén), just like bottled wine.
It comes with decoration stickers that allow you to freely customize the outer box.
The grapes are destemmed, pressed, the juice is racked, and then aged at low temperature in stainless steel tanks.
It features aromas of apple, ripe pear, and banana, and offers a high-quality finish with a clear acidity that emphasizes freshness.
You can also feel saltiness and bitterness, and the long aftertaste makes it recommended for salads with seafood.
This item overturns the image of BIB with wild yeast fermentation and unfiltered processing.
KAZU WINE / KAZU MAX BLANCO 2022 including tax 8,800 yen
Click here to purchase!
KAZU WINE / KAZU MAX TINTO 2022
Like the white wine, this is a red wine BIB made from Spanish organic grapes (Tempranillo), fermented with wild yeast and finished unfiltered.
This also comes with many original stickers.
The grapes are destemmed and pressed. Five days of skin contact.
The juice is racked into tanks and aged in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.
Characteristic complex and spicy aromas such as cinnamon, cassis, raspberry, and tanned leather.
The taste is complex and grand, with smooth tannins and a high-quality texture.
It pairs well with spiced meat dishes, grilled chicken with sauce or sukiyaki in Japanese cuisine, and meat dishes marinated in miso.
KAZU WINE / KAZU MAX TINTO 2022 8,800 yen including tax
Click here to purchase!
KAZU WINE / KAZU MAX ROSADO 2022
A beautiful rosé wine BIB that livens up the dining table and BBQ scenes.
Made from organically grown Airén and Tempranillo, fermented with wild yeast and finished unfiltered.
After destemming, pressing, and racking each grape variety, they are aged in stainless steel tanks and then blended.
Fresh aromas typical of rosé wine such as plum, red currant, and cranberry.
You can also taste cocoa as the temperature rises.
It has acidity with soft tannins and a charming impression, and you can enjoy pairing it with a wide range of dishes such as Japanese, Chinese, and ethnic cuisine due to its strong minerals and umami.
This also comes with decorative stickers.
KAZU WINE / KAZU MAX ROSADO 2022 8,800 yen including tax
Click here to purchase!
Summary
BIB is easy to use not only for everyday use but also for a wide range of situations such as parties and BBQs.
It is a high-quality, highly preservable, and easy-to-carry item with many advantages.
Why not take this opportunity to check out BIB?
