Does wine keep better if it's in a tapped box (carton) rather than a bottle, once it's opened but not finished

Answer 1

Yes, as no air comes into contact with the wine in the carton. Not that wine lasts very long at all in my house.

Edit to below: You can get very decent wine in a box these days. You'd be surprised.

Answer 2

The minute a bottle of wine is opened---especially red wine---the quality begins to go downhill. There are still active yeast cells in wines, and the sudden presence of oxygen activates them, to an extent. Over a few days, the wine can take on an unpleasant, tart flavor and aroma---actually, its a precursor to vinegar.

Actually, red wines "decay" after opening is sometimes a positive thing; especially in the case of older reds. It's recommended that the wine be allowed to "breathe" for a period of time---maybe thirty minutes, maybe up to a whole day!---to activate some of the flavor nuances. In fact, merely opening the bottle often isn't enough; the wine must be poured into glasses, or decanted into a carafe or pitcher, for proper aeration.

Those cartons of wine---whatever type---are not exposed to air when you use the dispenser; wine comes out, NOTHING goes in! Also, the "box" wines are rarely, if ever, aged, and therefore require no breathing. A partial box of wine, kept in the fridge, will probably be good (unaffected) for at least several months.

Answer 3

Typically, the quality of wine in a box is on the low end. However, due to the nature of the bag within the box, it prohibits air/oxygen from affecting the wind. This prevents it from becoming contaminated and possibly becoming vinegar. However, when served, wine, particularly reds, needs to breathe. Breathing releases the flavors and aromas and makes for a better drink. The best way to serve a box wine would be to decant it a few hours to a day before being serving to allow it to breathe. The remainder in the box will last longer than a re-corked bottle as the bag never let any air in to begin with.

Answer 4

Boxed!
With that said, lets make it clear that the "Tapped Box" method is much better today than in years past. This being the case, you can find better wines being packaged this way today. While there may actually be some fine examples of "Crap in a Box", I think it wrong to think that all of it is such. Most is pretty good - just fine for a large group or event where a basic red / white / rose needs to be offered up.

It is a bit "snobbish" to turn your nose up at all the available stock, just as it is to a screw cap, now that we are seeing more and more mid-price premiums switching to them

Answer 5

Wine from a box is vacuum sealed and can last as long as two months in the fridge... It's kept away from light and other odors from the fridge.... Wine in a bottle is NOT ! If it's a wine that you like to drink or cook with than by all means if it's available in carton then buy it.. Good luck

Answer 6

There is NO difference - only - the "happy bag" (carton) is cheaper. When the tap has run dry take out the "bag" from the box and snip the top end of the bag to let in air ---- you will find another glass of wine in there!!!!......Enjoy...xxx

Answer 7

It's not very chique but the box is the better bet if your not going to drink it in one go. In the box is a bag and the bag will collapse around the wine keeping any air out.

Answer 8

Box, naturally.
All us Okkers know what we're doing with wine.
A box will last a coupla months (not in Fremantle) but a bottle once opened needs finishing within a day.

Answer 9

The box is better because it is kept in an air tight bag. If it is kept in a bottle once the cork is released air gets in the bottle. So if you don't finish the bottle it spoils faster because it isn't air tight anymore.

Answer 10

Tapped box as it's hermetically sealed so will keep fresh for ages.

Once a bottle's opened....it's opened.