When I got the box of wine at my desk the other week, I thought . . . wow a way to drink wine at work and no one will notice . . . where’s the straw?

The Sangiovese Tavernello looked remarkably like a box juice drink your mom packs in your lunch box as a kid. It was light and compact and I was astonished that an entire bottle of wine fit in a container approximately 10cm x 10cm x 22cm.

Now box wine has gotten a bad rap the past few years. It’s all about quality not quantity and watching those alcoholic units so we don’t degenerate into a mindless mess of youths wee’ing on national monuments. So I put the wine in the cupboard, waiting for the perfect moment to bring out the box.

Last week I had that moment.

I came home early with enough energy to make Spaghetti Bolognese with fresh veg, mince beef and Sicilian sausages. Eager to see if the statement of Italy’s No. 1 selling wine could be true I opened the box and poured myself a glass.

As I sautéed onions and browned the beef I took a delicate sip of the plonk and found it surprisingly easy to drink. It was light and fruity, but unlike its new world cousins, it was smooth instead of brash and bold. This was not what I was expecting.

Box wine or even jug wine is supposed to be either tasteless so you don’t care or so sharp and alcoholic that your hangover starts at the second glass.

This was refreshing.

Now I have a dilemma. I like this wine. Ok it’s not a great Barolo, but who can afford those except for the special occasion?

This is a house wine, great to enjoy with friends and family with some food. No need to let it breathe or decant it over an open flame. If you don’t drink all of it just screw the top back on and put it in the fridge.

The packaging is environmentally friendly and cuts down on the shipping carbon footprint.

By liking this wine I have just successfully destroyed the reputation that years of wine classes have built for me. Oh well, if you come to mine for an Italian you know what you’ll be drinking. If that offends you, I’ll go ahead and decant it . . .

Tavernello can be found at Tesco for a recommended retail price of £3.99/75cl Tetra-Pak.