Bag in box – A Decanter guide

Upfront and inviting aromas of honeyed lemon, Golden Delicious apples, cooked pears and crab apples. This is a tangy and tasty Chenin Blanc with great varietal typicity, from a biodynamic estate. The finish is pithy and sinewy, with good green apple freshness and zippy acidity. A serious wine, even though the packaging is a little simple. Organic.

Freshly squeezed lemon, lime and just-ripe pineapple aromas unfold onto a long and complex palate with great weight to the juicy fruit. There’s a certain richness but undeniable elegance here, it’s real proof of quality bag in box wine! Textural and chalky, with a mineral nip to the finish.

Toasty, spiced peach and vanilla aromas reveal a bold, unrestrained Viognier, full of honeysuckle, jasmine and acacia characters. It’s full-bodied and oily, with notes of ripe melon, apricot and mandarin dunked in honey. A rich style that has a lick of spiciness and freshness on the finish.

Subtle green apple and white blossom aromas lead onto an electric palate full of zesty energy. Piquant and super-refreshing. Lemon and lime zest, grapefruit pith, and a salty, mineral core. Lightly bitter sensation to the taut finish. A great pairing for smoked fish, crunchy fennel salads or goat’s cheese. Really serious stuff.

Australian brand Hey Tomorrow is an exciting addition to the category, working with top-quality producers such as Porongurup-based Lowboi for this wine. Elegant and restrained blossom and jasmine aromas with a light minty lemon note, almost eucalyptus. Spritzy, zesty and fresh on the palate, with some delicate elderflower, apple and ginger. Lime cordial streaking through. Uplifting.

Classically intense Sauvignon Blanc lemon and freshly cut grass aromas with elegant wafts of smoke and flint. It’s tangy and mouthwatering. The zesty acidity elongates the mouth-puckering finish. I love the freshness here, it’s uplifting.

A fresh, floral and vibrant Muscadet with immediate green apple, lemon and blossom aromas, and a stony, succulent finish. Five litres might seem like a lot of wine to open and consume within a few weeks, but this will be an easygoing crowd-pleaser so it’s a great option to serve as an aperitif at your next dinner party. Organic principles.

From the cool climes of Limoux comes this bright Chardonnay. Although it’s subdued on the nose, the palate shows a lovely purity of Chardonnay fruit with some well-handled use of oak. Bright lemon, apple and peach, underpinned by toasty richness, vanilla, custard apple, and a subtle creaminess. Full-flavoured, smooth and plump. Organic.

The Hey Tomorrow brand's blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Savagnin and Vermentino from the Koerner Brothers – mostly from the Adelaide Hills, some from the Clare Valley. Exuberant aromas of cooked peaches, pears, buttercream and vanilla, with a subtle minty lemon-balm note. Full-bodied and quite savoury, with a long spicy finish.

Delicate, pretty aromas of spring blossom and pear, with a more citrus-laden palate. A streak of slatey minerality runs through it. It’s tactile in the mouth, refined in texture and palate presence. Not overly complex, but fresh. A light creaminess hints at lees or old oak. Made by Rob Krammer of Esterházy winery.

With its oxidative, savoury characters, this will be an unusual style for some. Blending Trebbiano with Pecorino and Passerina: floral and lightly nutty aromas, with some bruised apple and cashew butter intrigue. Tangy pear and almond on the palate, in a more natural style. It’s light-bodied and surprisingly easy to drink. Winemaker Massimiliano d’Addario is known for his minimal intervention approach. Organic.

Blending Sauvignon Blanc (80%) with Chardonnay has created this citrussy, lemon rind and grapefruit character with some melon and peach ripeness. Zesty green apple acidity permeates the palate, alongside some smashed rock minerality and a mouthwatering finish. An easygoing, everyday pick-me-up.

Intense ripe-fruit aromas, with a whack of mango, passion fruit and overripe melon. There’s a bit of candied peel here too, which is unexpected, and an interplay between green, grassy characters and that ripe tropical fruit. It’s a little blowsy, but has good intensity and a fresh, dry finish.

Rich and sumptuous aromas of cooked peaches, honey and tropical fruit. Viscous and full-bodied, with good mid-palate presence. There’s some spice, vanilla and ripe nectarine fruit, which falls away fairly quickly. Organic.