Wine enthusiasts might once have dismissed canned wines as suitable only for casual settings like beaches or baseball games. Yet, these beverages have gained popularity, expanding by about 14% annually in the U.S. since 2019 despite a global decrease in wine sales. Canned wines are now crafted with distinct identity and origin, appealing even to those who value traditional wines.
Convenience and Ease
Andy Pates, founder of Cream Wine & Spirits, notes that canned wines were always meant to offer easy drinking. Their format and portability make them a perfect choice for informal settings like picnics or poolside events. The single-serving option reduces commitment, catering to those conscious about portion control or whose companions choose different drinks.
Historically, the focus on lifestyle overshadowed the substance of canned wines, often featuring generic contents from bulk producers. However, a shift is underway as independent winegrowers embrace alternative packaging. This change brings more diverse flavors, compelling stories, and improved farming into the equation.
The Shift to Smaller Sizes
Initially, canned wines often came in 12-ounce sizes, comparable to soda cans, which approximated half a wine bottle. Consumers underestimated the volume, leading to excessive consumption. Standard sizes have now transitioned to smaller 250 ml cans, around a third of a traditional bottle. This size better supports casual drinking without overindulgence.
Retailer Melissa Zeman highlights the appeal for customers heading to the lake or BYOB restaurants. Canned wines also meet the desire for a high-quality glass of wine in everyday scenarios, like getting a manicure.
Canned Wine Matures
Today’s compelling canned wines mainly come from wineries that excelled before introducing cans. These wines use estate-grown or specifically sourced fruit, reflecting a commitment to sustainable farming practices. They offer unique options like orange wines, pét-nats, and varietal blends, expanding beyond conventional reds and whites.
A notable example is Gulp Hablo, offering wines like chilled reds and skin-contact oranges, produced with organic farming practices. Prisma’s sauvignon blanc and pinot noir from Chile’s coastal Casablanca Valley also stand out, delivering complex flavors beyond the norm for canned wines.
Another brand, Djuce, partners with small European producers for minimal carbon footprint cans. This includes collaborations with producers like Austria’s biodynamic Meinklang and Italy’s organic Azienda Agricola Cirelli.
Pricing and Style
Priced above $10 per can, these premium options don’t come cheaply. Yet the per-ounce value reflects the quality. Crisp whites, rosés, and light reds translate effectively into the format, complemented further by a slight spritz common to canned wines.
Pates explains that even still canned wines often have a touch of effervescence, adding to the overall sensory experience similar to opening a beer.
Top Canned Wines to Try
- Gulp Hablo Fresco chilled red (La Mancha): A $6 option featuring a blend of red and white grapes, ideal for outdoor settings.
- Prisma sauvignon blanc (Casablanca Valley): Priced at $23 for a four-pack, it offers a unique mix of California-style fruitiness with a mineral edge.
- Prisma pinot noir (Casablanca Valley): At $23 for the pack, it provides a savory new-world pinot experience.
- Las Jaras WAVES red and white wines (California): Both priced at $11, they showcase lively, organically farmed wines with a fresh spritz.
- Famille du Vin Jean Pierre Robinot dry white (Loire Valley): Highlighting Chenin Blanc’s acidity, offering a vibrant in-can experience.
- Famille du Vin Château de Béru Special Cuvée dry white (Chablis): The first Chablis in a can, featuring classic stone fruit flavors.
- Djuce CoLab Meinklang Rosa (Burgenland): At $12, with fizzy fruit savored with bubbles.
- Djuce CoLab Meinklang Kontext (Burgenland): Priced at $12, for lovers of aromatic orange wines with tropical hints.
Anna Lee Iijima is a freelance writer contributing to this perspective on the diversification and appeal of canned wines.
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