Its usually a good bet that a canned wine wont measure up to its bottled siblingsuntil now. In recent years, canned wine has risen not only in quality but also in popularity: the canned-wine market was , and its poised to continue growing. Perfectly portable and easy to chill, these canned bevs make enjoying a glass of wine possible pretty much anywhere.
Another perk: its better for the environment. Traditional glass wine bottles are tough to recycle, and they arent always accepted at your local recycling center like cans. Andrea Morris, beverage director of the renowned Union Square Cafe in New York City and an advanced sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, says that canned wines are also significantly lighter in weight, which reduces their impact on the environment when shipped. Heavy bottled wine wastes so much fuel, she says. The weight in a truck going across the country is far greater.
Here, Morris gave us some tips for choosing the best canned wineand some of her favorite brands.
How to Shop for Canned Wine
Canned wine is definitely, I would say, more of a New World trend for American wines, Morris says. A lot of the conversation around Is canned wine a good thing? is almost exactly the same as the conversation people were having around screw caps ten years ago.
But which wines work best in a can? A fresh wine youre gonna drink right now, like 2021 sauvignon blancs, wines that are not trying to age, Morris says. She also suggests seeking out other fresh varieties, like chenin blanc and ros矇. Cans are really great for wines that are meant to be fruity. A lot of wines are fruity and dry, which I think is the perfect canned wine, she says.
Still, not all wines are meant to be canned. Much like anything else, its not a one-size-fits-all format, she says. I dont think that canned wine is great for aging. Theres something really important that happens in a bottle with a cork in it because the cork actually lets oxygen into the bottle. That cannot happen in a can. Because of this limitation, Morris suggests drinking your canned wine no more than18 months after purchasing it.
Must-Try Canned Wines
Dear Mom
If youre looking for a true glass of wine in a can, offers it. These cans are adorable, Morris says. I like that they are smaller than many cans, at six ounces, which is great for portion control. With four wines to choose from (sparkling, ros矇, red, and white ), Oregon-based Dear Mom produces classically styled premium wines at sustainable vineyards.
Leitz
Theres just one canned variety in the entire , a crisp and juicy Riesling. This one is off-dry but certainly low alcohol by volume as well, and delicious, Morris says. The company also focuses on sustainable farming, so this pick is extra eco-friendly.
Wild Arc
If youre looking for low-intervention canned wine, is a great choice. This biodynamic, permaculture-focused New York farm is all about natural, sustainable food systems. And Wild Arcs wines have some standout personality. These are super-funky, definitely for the natural-wine set. They also tend to be lower in alcohol, Morris says.