First, let's just forget that most of us believe that wine in a box is best enjoyed as a punchline.

Next, consider that a box of wine is far more eco-friendly, considering the amount of packaging, waste, and transportation costs involved in a bottling and distributing wine.

Finally, take the word of the pros at Wine Spectator, who say that a box of wine is "well-structured and fresh."

Wine in a box — or an ePod, as some call it — is a result of an innovative new packaging idea that's much like boxes of soy milk. Tetra Prisma packaging is sustainable and able to retain the wine's quality. It is made of lightweight, environmentally-friendly materials that require less energy to produce, transport, and recycle.

Its sustainable option has been embraced by several merging labels, including the organic French Rabbit, Alice White, Vendange, and others. They've boxed several varietals, such as Chardonnay and Pinot Grigios and healthy reds, including Pinot Noirs, Merlots, Cabernets, and Zinfandels.

Consider the advantages of a box:

• It's shatterproof
• Resealable caps mean no more corkscrews (not to mention those tiny bits of floating cork)
• It can be tossed into a picnic basket for a concert in the park or a backpack for a toast in the mountains or on the beach.
• It is incredibly eco-friendly.
• The carton is recyclable.
• It's lightweight, about three percent of that of a bottle.
• It holds about two or three extra glasses of wine.

The last point pretty much seals the deal for me. But I have yet to open a box of wine, so I can't vouch for the stuff personally. The next time that I happen to come across a reputable box of wine, I'll grab one and save it for a dinner party. And maybe I'll buy another box for my next camping trip.

Now, the question is: What do we do with all our wine racks?