Why Canned Wine Should Be Your Favorite BBQ Drink This Summer
Like boxed wine, wine snobs look down on canned wine, but that shouldn’t stop us ordinary people from enjoying it. Canned wine is actually a much more convenient option for summer drinking outdoors than bottled or even boxed wine.
What Makes Canned Wine Great
- Easier to carry : Jars, especially aluminum cans, are much lighter than glass, so they are best used on a hike or on a picnic. Plus, they’re easier to stack in a bag or refrigerator than bottled or boxed wine. And you will appreciate their low weight when you go to take out the trash.
- Stays Cool Longer : The metal of the can cools the wine faster, which is great if you toss a pack of six cans into the shared fridge when you get to the barbecue. Chill the wine before setting off and the can will keep the wine cold even longer.
- Non-Shattering : Banks prevent the risk of glass breaking, which is dangerous and can also lead to hot water spills with authorities that patrol beaches and parks.
- Bring as much as you want : With a bottle of wine, you’re stuck with taking out the entire bottle, even if you don’t end up drinking it all (I know, I know there is no such thing as too much wine, but still. ).
What’s Not So Perfect About Canned Wine
- Price : Most canned wines I’ve come across cost between $ 12 and $ 20 for a pack of four 187 ml cans. A standard bottle of wine is 750 ml, so a four-bottle pack is roughly a bottle of wine (748 ml). Personally, I try not to spend more than $ 10 on a bottle of wine, because I just need something inexpensive and decent to taste. So for me, most canned wines are more than I would spend on a bottle of wine, with the exception of Simpler Wines, offered by Trader Joe’s, which cost $ 4 for a four-pack. If you tend to spend a little more on wine than I do, then canned wine is a great deal for your money.
- Always available : the selection of canned wines depends on the store and place of residence. If you live in a place known for wine, such as California, you can find local brands of canned wine in more stores.
- Variety : I went to several major chain stores, Target, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s to see what was in stock, and I had about five brands to choose from from three stores. Your local grocery and liquor stores may have more options, but your choices will be limited.
Canned Wine Options to Try
- Many canned wines are sparkling and white or rosé (rather than reds) as they are best to drink in warm weather. Simpler Wines , Trader Joe’s, $ 4 four-pack : TJ’s has two sparkling wine options: rosé and white. The jars are incredibly lightweight and easy to hold, even in the presence of condensation. Very light taste, great to mix with liqueurs (try Saint-Germain or crème de cassis) or drink alone.
- Sofia Mini , Francis Ford Coppola Winery, $ 16 for a 4-bottle pack : They come with a straw that I think should give you fantasy, but only made me feel like a toddler with a drunk juice box. Don’t use a straw and drink straight from the can like an adult. This one was my least favorite in terms of taste because it was quite sweet.
- Presto Sparkling Cuvee , Whole Foods, $ 12 per pack of four : This pack is also available in separate cans, but the pack is more cost effective. Very light and refreshing.
These aren’t the only options for canned wine, so visit your local grocery store to see what other brands have to offer. And be sure to tell us about them in the comments.