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 [1]."
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 [2] 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 [2] French Rabbit [3], Alice White [4], Vendange [5], and others. They've boxed several varietals, such as Chardonnay and Pinot Grigios and healthy reds [5], 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 [6].
- 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?