If you are a wine drinker who has resisted screw caps, you're probably not a member of the "boxed wine appreciation society," either.

	Fish Eye shiraz Click photo for larger image.

Well, it's time to reconsider your reluctance to drink what you think will be sweet and tasteless fermented grape juice.

Long popular with wine drinkers in Europe and Down Under, where higher quality wines have been packaged in boxes, the box idea hasn't taken off in the United States. The first "bag in a box" wine showed up on American shelves in the late 1970s, but until the past few years, the wines remained tied to the image of drunken fraternity parties.

But boxed wines are gaining in popularity. According to A.C. Nielsen, box wine volume grew 44 percent from 2005 to 2006, compared to only a 3-percent gain in total table wine sales.

Much of the reason for the newfound acceptance is due to what the wineries are putting in the boxes. Vintners are focusing on premium varieties that are vintage-dated and from recognized wine-producing regions, and packaging them in 1.5- or 3-liter containers. They have also devised a more upscale term for this packaging: Cask wines.

There is the added advantage of convenience. Boxes stay fresh for six weeks after opening, thanks to a vacuum-sealed bag that prevents oxygen from contacting the wine. (The wine never comes into contact with the cardboard box but is sealed in a plastic bag inside.)

Other plus factors are that boxes are lighter, easier to transport and unbreakable. They are more easily disposed of when empty. They do not require any special tools for opening and come with a very practical spigot.

Corbett Canyon chardonnay Click photo for larger image.

All of these characteristics make them an obvious choice for picnics and outdoor adventures.

A 3-liter box is the equivalent of four bottles. The packaging cost is a small percentage of bottles and corks. Because the boxes are lighter than the glass, shipping costs are reduced. All of these savings can be passed on to the consumer.

In addition to 1.5- and 3-liter boxes, vineyards also are packaging wines and champagnes in four packs of airplane-size bottles. French Rabbit sells 1-liter "tetra packs" of pinot noir or chardonnay. Vendange sells chardonnay in a 500-milliliter package, enough for three glasses -- a convenient size for a two-person picnic. Unlike the larger boxes, these packages are not vacuum-sealed and thus should be completely consumed when opened.

Our state wine shops are well stocked at the moment for picnicking wine provisions. If there is no picnic in your future, you might consider stashing a box of pinot grigio or chardonnay in your fridge and using it to combine half and half with sparking water to make a spritzer, a light and refreshing summer wine cooler.

In smaller packages:

Vendange chardonnay, 500 milliliter, PLCB #9893, $3.99.

Bandit Three Thieves 2005 pinot grigio, California, 1 liter, PLCB #4654, $9.99. This light and crisp wine has aromas of citrus and green apple.

French Rabbit pinot noir, 1 liter, PLCB #4702, 12.99.

French Rabbit chardonnay, 1 liter, PLCB #4687, $7.99.

The French Rabbit wines are made from grapes grown in the southwestern region of France. They show appropriate varietal characteristics and the 1-liter size makes them especially attractive.

In a 1.5 liter box:

Wine Block, $11.99, cabernet sauvignon, PLCB #6930; chardonnay, PLCB #6904. This label is part of the Kendall-Jackson family. The 1.5-liter box is the equivalent of two bottles and fits nicely into coolers.

In 3-liter boxes:

Corbett Canyon chardonnay, PLCN #7474, $14.99. This is a medium bodied chardonnay with apple and pears and citrus aromas.

Delicato Bota Box, shiraz, PLCB #8702, $11.99. This wine consistently receives high marks in wine competitions and tasting panels. Chardonnay, PLCB #9247, $15.99.

Fish Eye wines have been winning medals at wine competitions on both coasts. All are $19.99 (the equivalent of $5 per bottle) and are from California grapes. Available in Pennsylvania wine shops are shiraz, PLCB #4478; pinot grigio, PLCB #4472; and chardonnay, PLCB #6243.

Black Box from various viticultural regions, all $23.99. Napa chardonnay, PLCB #5905. There is also Black Box Barossa Valley Shiraz, Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon and Sonoma Merlot.

Killer Juice, Central Coast California chardonnay 2005, PLCB #4514, $23.99. This chardonnay is big and rich and creamy. There are tropical fruits and spice in the mouth and a long finish.