while I have not bought boxed wine yet (I was at Costco in the morning, but forgot to ask), I went to Trader Joe's and asked a clerk to help me select bottles with screw-on tops, without corks. He asked "what wine". I said "Let us do Merlot". Not only did he pick out a couple of bottles of inexpensive Merlot, he also offered me a bottle of organic sulfite-free Merlot, saying that it is really good for the heart. I have not had the time to research whether this is true and if so, why, and I do not have n allergy to sulfites, but sure, it was still inexpensive, so why not. And, I now know how those screw_on tops look like so I will not need help next time. And, looking at me with pity in his eyes as if I were severely retarded, the clerk suggested a two dollar thingie to deal with corks. I got it so I will try to deal with the regular bottles at home. And, a very pretty young girl named Olivia, my check-out clerk, asked me whether I was old enough to buy alcohol. A middle aged woman behind me and I looked at one another and started laughing! This time I appreciated being asked this question. Olivia believed me and did not card. She noticed the sulfite-free wine and said that she had been given this exact wine but not tried it yet. But she does have sulfite allergy and needs special shampoo.

So so far it has been an altogether pleasant experience and I hope the wine will taste good when I try it.