When you hear the term “bulk wine,” you probably picture a cardboard box with a glossy picture of a glass of splashing red wine. Or maybe you imagine a large glass jug gathering dust on the bottom wine rack at your liquor store. This term does not command much respect in the wine world, though, in reality, the story of bulk wine is as old as wine itself. 

In this post, I’ll explain exactly what bulk wine is, as well as the history behind it and why it may just be the perfect wine for your next dinner party.

What are bulk wines?

The short answer is that bulk wines are any wines not (or not yet) in a bottle. Meaning, wine that is transported and purchased in any container other than your typical glass wine bottle.

For consumers, we usually think of bulk wines as bagged or boxed wines, but it also refers to large-format shipping containers such as ISO tanks or Flexitanks. These massive containers are filled with wine and shipped around the world before being re-packaged into smaller containers. And yes, those smaller containers can be wine bottles…but more on that later.

A brief history

As mentioned in the future of wine packaging, the use of glass bottles began in the 1st century BC. Before this, large-format containers (think amphoras and wine barrels) were the only way to store wines. These containers were not practical to transport since they weren’t airtight and could easily be impacted by temperature fluctuations. 

As glass-making technology improved and consumer demand for imported wines increased, so did the practice of shipping wine in bottles. Glass bottles were preferred because they implied a standard for quality. However, the practice of shipping wines in bulk never disappeared. 

Merchants have historically purchased wine from other producers. In France, they’re known as négociants. They can purchase anything from raw grapes to unfermented grape juice, finished wine, and even unlabeled bottled wine (known as “shiners”). Négociants process the wine as needed and bottle it under their private labels. 

Since wines prepared by négociants will typically be sold in regular-sized bottles, it’s not always clear when you’re drinking a bulk wine.

How can I tell if a wine is made in bulk?

some common (although not always the case) clues:

• The wine claims to be from a broad region, such as “Australia” as opposed to “Barossa Valley”
• If the label says it’s a “House” wine
• If the wine is of a lower price point or you’re unfamiliar with the producer

Pros of bulk wine

• Cost-effective and environmentally sustainable – Transporting wine in large containers saves tons (literally) of weight, helping to reduce cost and minimize the environmental impact. 

• Backup plan for small producers – Small winemakers can virtually guarantee whatever wines they don’t sell can be bought by larger producers. This can be life-or-death for boutique wineries, especially in poor vintages.

• Optimal storage – More wine in a larger container means there’s less room for oxidation and damage from temperature fluctuations. 

Consistent product – Even if some of the wine coming in is of lesser quality, it can easily be blended to produce consistent wines year after year.

In short, bulk wines are typically more cost-effective, require less aging, and can be a great low-effort option when the wine is not the star of the evening. However, small-batch wines are more nuanced and allow you to better understand a region and its terroir. 

Ultimately, it doesn’t have to be an either-or situation, as both styles can prove worthy of being in your wine collection.

If you have a favorite bulk wine, share it below!