Yes You CAN: 3 Canned Wine Varietals To Try

If you asked me pre-Quarantine if my snobby Veuve Clicquot-loving, Brunello-drinking, Sancerre-sipping self would be writing about CANNED wine, I would think you were mad.
But alas, here we are.

I am new to canned wine, mostly because I judged it prematurely as being REALLY crappy wine and no amount of niche was going to change that. Wine was under no circumstances meant to come out of a can. But since we’ve been in Quarantine I’ve pretty much drank through all the wine options at our neighborhood wine shop, including the mini bottles. So when it was just me, and the canned wine, I thought, “Time to put down the pinky and pick up the can.”



With that said, I didn’t hate it. I made peace with my decision to start drinking wine out of a can by putting one rule into place – stick to bubbly. Bubbly canned wine is already carbonated so that naturally makes a bit more sense to me coming out of a can. I mean, it’s not Louis Roederer or even La Marca, but it’s really not bad.

I still do prefer wine out of a bottle, but canned wine has it positives. Canned wine is very Covid-friendly if you’re throwing a socially distant happy hour. And since it’s usually in a single or double serving, you won’t feel guilty about drinking the whole thing. As an added bonus, it’s super sustainable.


(special tip courtesy of my mom on how to best use mini bottles and cans at the end)

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MY TOP 3 CANNED WINE RECOMMENDATIONS
Available both online and at your local wine store



Sofia Coppola Blanc de Blancs Mini 187 mL – 1 Glass
Description: “Sofia Mini is a single-serving of our effervescent Sofia Blanc de Blancs, tasting of fresh juicy pears, summer melon and honeysuckle. Zesty, refreshing, cool and fun, each dazzling pink can comes with its own straw for sipping, so you can take it anywhere—anytime you feel like sparkling.”
Country/State: California
Alcohol: 11.5%
Cost: $4.99/can or $15-20/four-pack
Why I Like It: My favorite of the three, the Sofia mini is inspired by French champagne and has a nice bite. Also, it’s really practical, so small it could fit into the Jacquemus Le Chiquito, AND comes with a cute straw.



Dark Horse Brut Bubbles Can 375 mL – 1/2 Bottle
Description: “This can of bubbles offers a lot of Chardonnay character in the apple and pear aromas and a lightly toasty vanilla accent. The flavors are layered but light and the acidity is fresh.”
Alcohol: 10%
Cost: approx $4.99/can
Why I Like It: Dark Hourse’s Brut can is inexpensive and super easy to drink as an every day option. Good with whatever from pizza to tacos. The flavor isn’t too much of anything, which for me is fine if I just NEED something after a painful zoom call. Also given that it’s about half a bottle, portion control is simple. Yes, senza straw, I do pour into a glass.



Underwood Rosé Bubbles 375 mL – 1/2 Bottle
Description: “It’s hard to keep your pinky up when you’re drinking wine from a 375 mL can. These are the most approachable and ready-to-travel anywhere wines we produce. Whether you’re sitting in a hot tub after a good day of riding or heading where other wines dare not travel, we have you covered without sacrificing the craft taste Union is known for.”
Country/State: Oregon
Alcohol: 11%
Cost: $4.99 – 8.99/can
Why I Like It: Of these three options, Underwood is the most carbonated and packs the most flavor punch; it also tastes a bit like fruit punch. It’s definitely sweet (I do prefer dry bubbles)…but it’s a rose so that kindof comes with the territory. Again, I pour it into a glass rather than drink directly from the can.
Bonus: This website has a lot of info about canned wines in general if you’re curious.

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Tip from Momma V!
I learned of the ‘mini wine bottle drinking tip’ from my mom, Vita.
Before you’re obliged to split the whole bottle of wine with your drinking mates, family and friends, get a headstart by having yourself a mini bottle (or can). It’s kindof like a private happy hour. And you don’t appear rude because you did in fact wait to pop the big bottle and properly cheers.