Jam Shed Sauvignon Blanc is a new wine under the familiar Jam Shed label, appearing in a smaller 1.5-litre mini box format, the equivalent of two standard bottles. This release comes from Vinarchy, a wine company formed in 2025 from the merger of Accolade Wines and Pernod Ricard Winemakers. The name blends Vin, French for wine, and archy, from the Ancient Greek for leadership. The group now manages a broad portfolio of global brands, including Hardys, Campo Viejo and Jacob’s Creek.
Jam Shed itself has carved a reputation for producing approachable, flavour-driven wines that offer good value. Drawing inspiration from a rustic country jam shed where both jam and wine were once made, the brand uses grapes from across Australia, Spain and Argentina. Their line-up includes popular styles such as Shiraz, Chardonnay, Malbec and Rosé.
This new boxed version reflects a growing consumer interest in alternative, more sustainable, packaging. The 1.5-litre box is at least 85% lighter than two glass bottles of the same volume, making it a practical choice for storage and transport. Boxed wine in the UK is enjoying a surge in popularity, up 35% year-on-year and Jam Shed is at the forefront. With £8.5 million in annual sales and 4.8% growth, it now holds the title of the UK’s third-largest boxed wine brand. Another key benefit is that it stays fresh for up to six weeks once opened.
The Shiraz and Malbec from the range often divide opinion, particularly among seasoned drinkers some of which find them too sweet. This wine comes from the Western Cape in South Africa, with a 2025 vintage and a modest 12% ABV.
Even when served well chilled, it delivers a strong aromatic impression, leaning towards tropical fruits like pineapple and lime. On the tongue, those tropical elements continue with bright flavours of pineapple and passionfruit. It’s sweeter than New Zealand or French Sauvignon Blanc and the acidity is notably softer than what you’d expect from New Zealand. But this is where the wine shows some clever balance, the sweetness doesn’t overwhelm but instead rounds out the acidity in a way that brings to mind a medium-sweet Riesling. The feel in the mouth is medium-bodied and pleasant with enough interest to keep you sipping. With its tropical side, it has more in common with New Zealand than French Sauvignon Blanc, yet it has a character that stands apart from both. To fully enjoy it, I found it best to set aside preconceived ideas of what a Sauvignon Blanc might be and let this wine speak for itself.
I think the Jam Shed typical sweetness works better in white wine than it does in sweeter reds, which means even some experienced wine fans might find themselves unexpectedly charmed. Available at Sainsbury’s for £14.75 for 1.5l box.
