It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it!
I got really into canned wines this summer, and it’s taken me this long to put a post together! Luckily, they are good year round! : ) Here are the reasons why I love wine in a can:
- It’s a single serving (most of the time). Sometimes I don’t want to open a whole bottle because a) I’m not going to drink it all and b) because I might want to drink it all and need some portion control. I learned the hard (fun) way that some of these are actually 2+ servings, though!
- Cans don’t shatter, so they are pool, beach, and water safe.
- A little can is easier to transport than a big bottle (or a box!)
- I know there are good wine preservation air suckers, that boxed wine is the cheapest solution, and that the little resealable mini cartons are also good options to satisfy the above, so I’ll add for #4 that the cans are just fun! : )
It seems there are more cans coming to the market, so my friend Emily helped me shop around and procure a wide variety of red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines (and one sangria that I do not recommend!)
We rounded up the girls and cracked open the cans one by one on a cold Friday night. It was a blast, and there was a wide variety of opinions shared!
Everyone yelled out flavors and comments, and I jotted them down as fast as I could!
Tasting Notes
Whites
Underwood Pinot Gris // A little funky on the nose, but overall floral, stone fruits, grassy, apple, pear. Drinkable. A wee bit sweet. Would be good with funky cheeses. Anne’s favorite!
Lila Pinot Gris // Crowd pleaser. Easy to drink and good on a hot day. Drier and more citrusy than the Underwood. Erin says “Mellow yellow.”
Winner: Underwood
Sparkling
Scarpetta Frico Frizzante // Very stinky! Fizzy. Not too much flavor. (Lynsie thought it was perfectly balanced, though!) May be better with food.
Presto Sparkling Cuvée // More flavor. A little orange-y? A little sweeter. Viognier sweet.
Presto Sparkling Rosé // No stinky smell unlike the others. Strawberry or cranberry flavor. Berries! Love the can’s feel too.
Ruza Rosé // Melons. Like a wine cooler in a good way. Small bubbles. “Nano bubbles.” Like the Raspberry Lime Spindrift.
Winner: Presto Sparkling Rosé
Rosé
Underwood Rosé // Smells like a chardonnay. Chard haters gonna hate, chard lovers gonna love. 375 ml = big!
Lila Rosé // Strawberry. Peach. We like the can design and that it’s only 8 ounces. More like a sauv blanc. Citrusy. An everyday rosé.
Alloy Everyday Rosé // Blander, lighter, flatter. Pickled jalapeño?! Like sour patch kids. Erin says like a beer.
Winner: Lila
Red
Alloy Pinot Noir // Barnyardy. Tastes rather Virginia and light. Cold, deep, dark fruit. Danielle did not care for the nose.
Westside Cabernet // SOLID. Great body. Fruity, medium bodied, well-balanced, “a classy wine.” Tastes “too good to be in a can.”
Underwood Pinot // Lighter, a little boring after the Westside. Rubber tire notes?! Good, but not great.
Winner: Westside Cab by a landslide. It actually got the most votes – 10 – and therefore won best of show!
Begonia Sangria // Tasted like Hawaiian punch. NO, THANK YOU!
So tell me: have you tried any canned wines that you loved or hated, and why!?
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
I had no idea they made canned wine! Sounds like a super fun taste test, though, I can see you ladies really had a lot of fun, haha! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Alana Elderbrook says
I still have not tried canned wines. They are such a genius ideas though, especially for summer and boating! I actually haven’t seen too many of them where I live but I am definitely going to be on the look out for the Presto Sparkling Rose and Lila Pinot Gris. Thanks for doing the work for us! 😉
Do dung gia dinh says
I really love Underwood Pinot Gris, especially enjoy with cheese. All the taste coming out when we drink a small shot really unforgettable.
Alyssa says
You need to check out Infinite Monkey Theorem canned wine, white, red & rose! I prefer the red best and it’s out of Denver! If you come across it, have a sip and let me know how it compares to the Westside Cab!
KathEats says
Oh cool! I will see if they have a website with a where to buy section : )
Tonya says
I didn’t even know canned wines were a thing! Now I’m off to the Total Wine website to look around.
Linds says
I loved this post! I watched Sideways recently (anything with Paul Giamatti is a winner) and now I’m chomping at the bit to take a tasting vacation. I love wine culture – the many details that go into crafting it, the food pairings, the tradition/atmosphere of a vineyard! It’s so fun. My only problem is I’m still in that “wine tastes like wine” phase, and when it hits my mouth I usually taste sour alcohol vs. all the subtle notes other people pick up. I’m trying to develop my palette though, and decided the best way to do so is to branch out from Barefoots and Yellow Tails of the world. I’ve enjoyed the wines I’ve tasted on-location in C-Ville, but I don’t seem to have much luck in the grocery store! This is a good place for me to start. Thanks for all yall’s thoughts!
KathEats says
The more you taste, the more you’ll develop that acquired taste! I went to a lot of free grocery store and wine shop tastings when I was just out of college, and that’s when I really started to enjoy and learn about wine.
Erin says
This is me too. I love Barefoot. LOL!
Cate says
West Side has a pretty good Chardonnay. I’ve never had their red but I recommend their white. We find it is a good size to split. Fun post!
Susan Bellinger says
Fun post! Didn’t realize wine came in a can. Might try some of your recommendations on my next “Girl’s Escape Weekend”. Thanks!
Jamie says
Love this! I think these are great for portion control.
Laura says
What a fun idea for a girls night!! Haven’t tried wine in a can but I’m intrigued!
Linda @ the Fitty says
Besides sardines I try to avoid all canned things.
Sam @ Grapefruit & Granola says
I’m not a beer drinker, so I LOVE canned wines in the summer. It feels so refreshing on a hot day… even though technically it is dehydrating you, lol.
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says
What a fun party I want to have a canned wine party ASAP but with only the good ones from this post ha ha!
Pat Kilmain says
Never tried canned wine. Don’t know if it’s available around here. I do like the small sizes of boxed wine. Great for when we’re traveling. We can have it say, in a hotel room, without having to deal with having an opened container in the car. Canned would do the same. Might be fun for camping though
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Kamila says
A friend of mine, who is also an oenologist, once told me that they have to add more preservatives to the small bottles of wine, which is what causes that hangover feeling. Ever since I’ve found this out, I have stayed away from small bottles of wine. Which is so sad, because I love wine so much and opening a normal sized bottle for me to consume all by myself is a bit much! Do you find that you are hungover after a couple of cans?
KathEats says
Really? I haven’t heard that. I don’t think that cans or boxes need preservatives? I haven’t ever noticed a hangover, but I also haven’t ever had 6 cans 🙂
Jeanie says
I am not a wine drinker but do love the Presto pink can. 🙂
Kelly says
LOVE the Infinite Monkey Theorem can wines!!
KathEats says
After seeing the bottle when searching I think I’ve tried these, but aren’t they sparkling? If not I will go try again!
Andrea says
Gus as the lone male in that girls picture!! LOL his face is saying “I’m part of the gang!” I love his cute face!
Andrea on says
Fanstastic post! I always am wondering about which ones in a can to buy so I end up with Underwood Pinot Noir because I know it is decent. Will def try to find that Cab next time!
Julie Landy says
Love this post! I have been trying these because I like sparkling wines but really don’t want to open a whole bottle just to have a glass. Have really liked Babe Rose with Bubbles. No can-like taste and light. I’m going to try the Presto you all liked!
Michael Rad says
Hello.
I own a local wine company and we are looking to branch into Canned Wine. I would appreciate any feedback or comments you have on what type of wine/blend you would like to see in a can? Thx.
KathEats says
The same ones that come in bottles! No fizz and high quality 🙂