There are various types of containers for wine.
Generally, wine is bottled in glass bottles, but recently, wines in PET bottles, paper, and cans have increased.
In recent years, Bag-in-Box (BIB), which can package large volumes of wine, has started gaining global attention.
In the past, BIB wine had a strong image of being cheap and low quality, but now the quality of BIBs is improving.
This time, "CRAFT WINE SHOP" introduces recommended BIBs made by Japanese producers and shares the benefits of BIBs.
Basic knowledge of BIB
Bag-in-Box (BIB) refers to a container where a plastic bag is placed inside a cardboard box, used not only for wine but for various products. (Also called box wine)
BIB wines generally come in sizes from 2 to 4 liters, but some types exceed 20 liters, showing a wide range of sizes.
The inner bag of a BIB uses materials like polyethylene to preserve wine quality, and the box shape makes transportation and carrying easier, which is another advantage.
Also, BIBs have a tap-like spout at the bottom, making pouring easy and highly airtight, allowing you to enjoy wine with maintained quality over a long period.
It is said that BIB wine was invented by an Australian winemaker, and through technological innovations based on that idea, the tap-type BIB we know today was developed.
Reasons to choose BIBs
Now, BIBs are gaining attention worldwide.
However, as mentioned at the beginning, many people still have a negative image of BIBs.
Some people have an extreme image of BIBs as the lowest-grade commercial wines, containing large amounts of additives or other mixtures causing off-flavors, or as a final disposal method for low-quality wine, or as items for restaurants to serve liquid called wine under the guise of quality.
Certainly, there may have been such BIBs in the past, but recently the quality of BIBs has improved dramatically, and many are of higher quality than commonly sold wine bottles.
Let’s share four reasons why you should choose BIBs.
① Becoming quality-focused
One advantage of choosing BIBs is that the category is becoming quality-focused.
While there are still some BIBs worldwide with questionable quality, many winemakers are trying to break away from that image and are competing based on the quality inside.
Modern consumers won’t pay attention to BIBs if the grape variety is unknown, or if they are labeled simply as “red wine” or “white wine (style?),” or if the wine’s origin is unclear.
Therefore, there are BIBs that specify grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, production countries and regions, wineries, and even those labeled 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.
The trend of premium BIBs is becoming increasingly prominent overseas.
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 producers are also starting to produce high-quality BIBs.
In France, BIBs account for a large portion of domestically sold wine, and globally, they are gaining attention as a category with business opportunities.
Some brands have started offering unique items, such as cylindrical BIBs with handles on top instead of the usual square shape, focusing on appearance.
Nowadays, BIBs are becoming quality-focused and cool products.
② Focus on preservation
BIBs are characterized by their excellent preservation.
The outside of a BIB is paper, but the inside is layered with materials like low-density polyethylene to protect the wine from deterioration.
Unlike glass bottles, BIBs block light and, with their tap design, allow almost no oxygen in, keeping the wine fresh.
Of course, once opened, the quality won’t be maintained indefinitely, but compared to typical bottled wine, you can enjoy the wine without significant quality deterioration for 3 to 4 weeks, and sometimes up to a month.
This is a great benefit for those who want to drink small amounts of wine daily or for businesses that want to offer glass wine cost-effectively.
③ Easy to carry (and eco-friendly)
BIBs also have the advantage of being easy to carry.
Since BIBs are made of lightweight materials, it’s obvious they are easier to carry compared to glass wine bottles.
BIBs are impressive not only for home wine parties but especially for outdoor scenes like BBQs.
Most BIBs are box-shaped with handles, making it easy for one person to carry a large volume of wine.
For example, if you plan to use 3.5 liters of wine at a BBQ, one BIB is enough, but you would need to carry four wine bottles, making a big difference in the burden.
Additionally, because glass bottles can break, you need special items for transportation, and carrying empty bottles home after drinking can be a hassle.
BIBs are designed to be collapsible once empty (making recycling easier), and even if some wine remains, you can enjoy it again at home without worrying about the wine's quality.
By the way, since BIBs are lighter than wine bottles, they have the eco-friendly advantage of reducing carbon dioxide emissions during transportation.
④ Cost-effective and usable in a wide range of situations
BIB offers great cost performance and can be used in a wide range of situations.
To put it 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 the color type such as red, white, or rosé, and the capacity from 2 liters to 4 liters or 10 liters, depending on the occasion.
You can enjoy it with the same sense as choosing regular wine, focusing on quality, organic, single variety, and origin.
It's convenient for daily meals, wine parties with friends, outdoor BBQs, or even for a little use as cooking wine.
Above all, the biggest advantage of BIB is its price range.
Although premiumization is progressing, these products are based on large volumes, so they are cheaper compared to regular wine bottles.
While premium wines are attractive, an economical approach to enjoying wine is important for those who drink wine regularly.
A fresh and easy-to-drink wine that also offers authentic complexity.
Why not try choosing BIB?
"CRAFT WINE SHOP" recommended BIB "KAZU WINE"
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.
While BIB is often associated with huge overseas wineries, "CRAFT WINE SHOP" offers very rare items made by Japanese producers.
Mr. Fujimaki, who has the ambition to make wine overseas and sell it in Japan, has delivered high-quality wines to us.
However, last year, due to the weak yen, rising raw material, supplies, and transportation costs, it became difficult to deliver wine to Japan at a satisfactory quality and price.
He searched for ways to make wine more cheaply overseas, as "KAZU WINE" is more expensive than the Japanese wines Mr. Fujimaki produces.
At that time, a friend who is a winemaker asked him, "A friend in Spain is making BIB; are you interested?"
That was the starting point for Mr. Fujimaki's BIB production.
In the past, BIB had a very poor reputation for quality and image, but the increase in quality-focused BIBs encouraged Mr. Fujimaki.
They rented a corner of a winery facility in La Mancha and spent three nights and four days making wine for BIB using carefully selected organic grapes.
A year and a half later, the "KAZU WINE" BIB finally arrived.
Three types—white, rosé, and red—made from local Spanish grapes have been completed.
Each has a solid aroma and fruitiness, while keeping the alcohol content low for a clean and never boring taste.
With a capacity of 3 liters, equivalent to four 750ml bottles, you can enjoy it for a month even if you drink 100cc a day.
Now, let's introduce the BIB from "KAZU WINE."
KAZU WINE / KAZU MAX BLANCO 2022
BIB (white) made from carefully selected organic Airén grapes, just like bottled wine.
Comes with decorative stickers that allow you to freely customize the outer box.
The grapes are destemmed and pressed, the juice is racked, and then aged at low temperature in stainless steel tanks.
It features aromas of apple, ripe pear, and banana, with a fresh and clear acidity, resulting in a high-quality finish.
It has salty and bitter notes and a long finish, making it recommended for seafood salads and similar dishes.
This item overturns the typical image of BIB with wild yeast fermentation and unfiltered finish.
KAZU WINE / KAZU MAX BLANCO 2022, including tax 8,800 yen
Go to the purchase page here!
KAZU WINE / KAZU MAX TINTO 2022
Like the white wine, this red wine BIB is 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, followed by five days of skin contact.
The juice is racked into tanks and aged in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.
It features complex and spicy aromas such as cinnamon, blackcurrant, raspberry, and tanned leather.
The flavor is complex and grand in scale, with smooth tannins and a refined texture.
It pairs well with spiced meat dishes, and for Japanese cuisine, it goes well with sauce-grilled chicken, sukiyaki, and meat marinated in miso.
KAZU WINE / KAZU MAX TINTO 2022, including tax 8,800 yen
Go to the purchase page here!
KAZU WINE / KAZU MAX ROSADO 2022
A beautiful rosé wine BIB that livens up your dining table and BBQ scenes.
Made from organically grown Airén and Tempranillo grapes, 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 a charming impression with acidity and soft tannins, and you can enjoy pairing it with a wide variety of dishes such as Japanese, Chinese, and ethnic cuisine due to its strong mineral and umami flavors.
This also comes with decorative stickers.
KAZU WINE / KAZU MAX ROSADO 2022, including tax 8,800 yen
Go to the purchase page here!
Summary
BIB is easy to use in a wide range of situations, from everyday use to parties and BBQs.
It's a high-quality item with many advantages, including excellent preservation and easy portability.
Why not take this opportunity to check out BIB?
