"canned wine" news and stories

When wineries first began to ditch cork as an enclosure, people got nervous. Turns out this panic over the usage of screw caps was a false alarm. In a blind tasting, it's impossible to determine which enclosure was used.

Perhaps fueled by this brilliant concept, in 2004, Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville, California -- founded and owned by the film director of the same name -- debuted the first U.S. wine brand in a can. The hot-pink cans of 187ml can of "Sofia" Blanc de Blancs "Mini" are sold in four pack, and they've been a huge hit with consumers.

And now another U.S. winery joins the trend. Flasq wines -- from St. Helena, California-based JT Wines -- are packaged in 375ml aluminum flask-shaped bottles. Currently available as 2009 Chardonnay (Monterey County) and 2009 Merlot (Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County; and San Antonio Valley in Monterey County) they launched in January and cost $6 each. There is enough vino in each can to equal about two (6-ounce) glasses of wine.

These canned wines are a godsend for the summer season. Much lighter than glass, they are unlikely to be banned from places like public parks or swimming pools. (If you've ever toted wine in a backpack or shoulder bag you can vouch for how back-breaking this can be.) Also, with a wide mouth opening, you can sip straight from the bottle. It may not be classy, but who said drinking wine has to be a five-star experience anyway?