As long as we know where to look for quality.

Canned wines continue to trend upwards, an 80% growth in 2019 compared to 2018. However, many so-called wine connoisseurs aren’t convinced, and continue to hold their heads high, arguing that the invention of canned wines takes a dump on the traditional elegance of bottled wines. 

I was once a skeptic, probably because of the lack of quality options. Early canned wines were produced by large commercial factories, which flooded the market wth low quality wines in cans packed with sugar and artificial what-not. 

Despite of the shortcomings, early canned wines, with the help of marketing campaigns, did appeal to a large market of wine drinkers whose purchase intent surrounds a range of factors outside of quality juice and could care less about the producer, where the grapes were grown and how the wine was made. 

One thing to thank the mass producers for, however, is they opened up the category for quality-focused winemakers when it is finally their time to enter the market. High quality canned wines began to emerge in 2019, gaining the attention and approval of the serious wine drinkers and sommelier community, turning this category from fad to trend. 

What to expect from a can of wine

Fresh. Whether it is a can of wine, beer, vodka soda, carbonated soft drinks, or even water… an aluminum can is here to deliver freshness, convenience, simple pleasure and #glouglou.

Simple. Do not expect a big Napa Cab or a full-bodied Bordeaux, and do NOT age a canned wine in your cellar. Instead, they are meant for casual-sipping and early-drinking, making them especially fitting for crisp white, light rosé, and simple sparkling wines. 

Casual. Wherever you would crack open an ice cold beer or vodka soda beverage would technically be a good occasion for a canned wines. However, taking into consideration the higher ABV in wine, I prefer canned wines when food is involved, such as a beach-side lunch, picnic in a park, or the quick hike break. 

After all, they are not meant to be Michelin-star delicacy, nor are they here to rival the pleasure of uncorking. They are simple pleasures for simple occasions. Regardless of what the skeptics have to say, cans are here to stay.

Benefits of canned wines

Below are some reasons why we should consider cans at our next outdoor adventure.

1. Bye-bye corkscrews!
   Have you ever brought a bottle of wines to a beach only to be daunted by a missing corkscrew? I have been there, too. Cans made a great alternative to bottled wines at outdoor hangs when the only thing between the liquid and your lips is a “tzzzst”. 

2. Leave your drinkware at home
   I remember the pain of packing up my own wineglasses for a picnic. Not only are they bulky, it is stressful to hear the wineglasses make clinking noises in your bag. Plastic cups could work, but they are not the best for the environment and impart a rubbery odour to your beverage and diminish your drinking experience. Cans eliminate the need for drinkware so you can crack it, chug it (at your own risk), and chuck it in the recycling bin. 

3. Keep it chilled
   A typical canned wine is 250ml-375ml. Its larger surface-area-to-volume ratio plus the conducting power of aluminum gives you an ice cold beverage faster than than a 750ml of glass bottle. Not only do they chill faster, they are kept chilled for longer… perfect for the great outdoors. 

4. Light and nimble
   Aluminum cans are lighter than glass bottles and they pack up less space, which make them great camping libations when you already have a lot to carry on your back.

5. Taste the varieties
   It is easier to try different varieties of 250ml cans than committing to one bottle.

6. Great alternative to beers
   I love my beers, but when food is involved, I always opt for wines. Whether it is a picnic at a park, a beach side lunch, or dinner on the camping grounds, a beer would be nice but a high quality canned wine would be better with cheese and baguette!

7. Shaking off the pretension
   Wine has a reputation of being pretentious. Canned wines allow us to take one step away from this image towards a more casual approach to consuming wine. A European way of life, North American style.

Quality canned wines for the summer

Below are examples that are low in sugar and made by producers that focuses on quality of the juice:

1. Benjamin Bridge Pet Nat (Nova Scotia, Canada)

Premium & Canadian!

https://www.benjaminbridge.com/shop/pet-nat-can
12 x 250ml: C$107.88

Hailing from the heart of the Gaspereau Valley in Nova Scotia, Benjamin Bridge is one of Canada’s most renown sparkling wine producer. It is no surprise that their canned Pet Nat has gained the attention of wine community. Its label did a great job communicating the content. 

The BB Pet Nat is made from 100% Geisenheim, a hybrid white grape variety that is a cross between Riesling x Chancellor. Pale and slightly cloudy, this pet nat is delightfully floral with young citrus notes. Its low alcohol content (10%) and 0g of sugar makes it a great summer sipper. “A raw wine in its natural state, featuring a succulent combination of lightness and crushability.”

2. Companion Wine (California, USA)

For a Good Cause!

https://www.companionwine.com/
375ml: C$15 @ Grand Cru Deli

Hailling from California, Companion Wine’s ambition is to make terroir-driven, natural wine accessible to consumers. I came across their rosé at the Grand Cru Deli, co-owned by Master Sommelier Bruce Wallner, and could not turn it down after learning it is 97% Riesling and 3% Zinfandel. The resulting juice is a light salmon hue. It was lean and delicious. If you know of more bottle shops in Toronto who sell Companion, let me know so I can list them here. 

BONUS: it is good to know that the folks at Companion are using this rosé to bring awareness to help California’s native coho salmon from river dams and habitat degradation. Learn more here!

3. stel+mar (California, USA)

Good value… don’t overthink it.

https://stelandmar.com/
250ml: C$4.95 @ the LCBO# 14776

stel+mar is launched by Sheep Black Wine, a California winery founded by Torontonians Chris Noll and Justin Dumitrescuo, who wanted to make premium wines accessible and a pleasure to enjoy without all the extra work of stemware and a corkscrew. The Premium White is light, bright, with little residual sugar. Decent quality for the buck. They also make a Premium Red which I did not try. Keep it chilled and drink it fast…

Tips to enjoy canned wines

If it comes in a can, drink from the can! Serve it cold, and enjoy with good company. 

When you are at a dining table with family and friends, keep the cans in your fridge and uncork a nice bottle instead.