Actually I have always been a fan of the box of wine – they’re good value and they mean the bar’s always open without having to uncork a bottle that will quickly turn. But all too often the wine itself is poor: my mother in law refers to it as petrol – it keeps her going but it’s nothing flash.

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However it’s not only useful buying bulk wine in one container that will keep, but it also has good eco credentials – after all there’s less packaging so less waste. Arniston Bay have spotted this potential and have released a two bottle (1.5 litre) pouch with a sleek redesign to negate the hobo image of the wine box. And I must say it’s very useful, this tall, neat fridge-friendly pouch with it’s non-leak tap and it’s not going to break or take up too much room in the rubbish bin. But herein lies the problem: it boasts an 80% lower carbon footprint than two glass bottles, but it isn’t recyclable, while glass is one of the most recyclable materials around. This seems such a shame when, in all other respects, it boasts such great eco recommendations.

But onto the wine inside, and it is a very cheeky number indeed: the Chenin Chardonnay. This buoyant and zesty wine has such a lightness of touch that the result is dangerously quaffable (enter the tramps pillow idea again…!) There is none of the disagreeable sharpness that some Chenin’s have, this slides over the tongue with a tangy freshness that is kind on the palate. It requires some thought on what to serve it with, and I believe many strongly flavoured foods would overpower this delicate wine, so I suggest you take a pouch to a great party and sip it with some canapés and friends.

It’s little sister comes in the traditional glass bottle: The Reef White. I’m always suspicious of wines that are so blended that they refer to themselves simply as “white”. It is as suspect as calling something “meat paste”. Well this is no meat paste, it is a nice drinkable white, heavier than the Chenin Chardonnay, that would sit very well next to a steaming bowl of creamy pasta. But I must admit it’s nothing to write home about, with a slightly bitter undercurrent to the lovely heavy fruit.

Onto the (also glass bottled) Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, and this one is the real star of the bunch. Rich, opulent and aromatic, sipping this wine is like slipping on a cosy jumper by a crackling fire. It has the kind of rich smoothness you’d expect from a Merlot with the nice tangy tannins delivered by the harder Cabernet Sauvignon. And at a sweet price of RRSP £5.49 this excellent value red is likely to be gracing many a party and dining table this year.