Canned Wine

Filed in archive Wine News on September 16, 2007

There might be something refreshing about cracking open a can of soda, or perhaps even a can of beer. But a can of wine? Iron Wine is an Argentinian company that is producing a Malbec-cabernet blend and a Chenin Blanc that is available in handy dandy cans (though not the United States).

From the Modesto Bee:

Noting that many wines are aged in steel vats, the company says cans are the perfect container because they so effectively block out light and air. Boxed wines have similar benefits, but have been slow to catch on with consumers. That's partly because they are - often unfairly - associated with plonk, or inferior, wines, but also because they are so large.

Iron Wine's smaller cans make them perfect for picnics or other times when carrying a whole bottle or large box isn't convenient. But ignore the advice on the can that says a glass isn't needed. Drinking the wine from the can produces an unpleasantly tinny taste that disappears once the wine is poured into a glass.

One canned wine that is available in the U.S., however, is Floot - a sparkling wine in a can that comes complete with its own little straw. It's an adult juice box, if you will. Well over a year ago I originally tasted it and was not terribly impressed. Recently I decided to give it another try because I'd seen writes-up on the product in a few magazines. Unfortunately, I still was not terribly impressed. To me, it tasted like cheap, carbonated wine. And $3.99 a can (or $15.99 for a four-pack), in my opinion Floot is far from cheap.

I admire these companies who keep striving for portability, but so far I feel that something in the wine is lost when you have to pop the top to open it.