Move over boxed wine, bagged wine is in

My Dear Friends pairs premium wine with portable packaging.

The big picture: The Oak Park company packages its wines in portable "bagnums" and oversized bottles, aiming to make premium wine more shareable.

Flashback: A former beverage director and wine buyer, Dylan Melvin noticed during the pandemic that drinkers were buying more wine in bulk, usually boxed wine.

Between the lines: Anyone who has been teased for drinking Franzia knows that wine in a box usually appeals to a less-than-refined palate.

Yes, but: Boxed wine has positive qualities, too, Melvin tells Axios. It has a reduced carbon footprint compared to bottles, a longer shelf life and usually a lower price point.

• It is also a lot of wine. "Three liters is a major commitment of wine. That's like a different level," Melvin says.