Last week, Adam shared with us that now is the time for rosé. This week it’s even more portable. — EH Stafford, Managing Editor
The beverage industry is constantly evolving
Craft beer is losing sales to hard seltzer that barely existed a few years ago. Trends and drinking habits change as the wind blows. One under-the-radar change is canned wine.
It all started at the pool
When the Las Vegas pool bars took off in popularity 5 years ago, they realized their wine options were extremely limited. You cannot have glass on the pool deck for safety reasons. The Vegas beverage directors went to their favorite wineries and asked if they would start canning wine for the pool bars. Almost all of them passed due to perceived loss of reputation and/or quality concerns with canning wine.
Out in front — 2 great glasses of wine from a can
Union Wine Company in Oregon took the lead. Makers of Underwood, they took the same juice that went into a bottle and started canning it. Coming in a 375ml can, it is the equivalent of 2 glasses of wine in a portable format.
Pinkies Down campaign
First released in 2013 at the Feast Portland event, Union Wine Company launched the #pinkiesdown campaign. They believe it is more important what goes into the glass than the actual glass itself. They also introduced a tasting truck that could go to events as serve the wine in cans as well.
Your new best friend
Coming in five varietals and styles, these wines go down very easy and are readily available at most retailers. They are boat- and pool-friendly and can be chilled down fast. The cans are more eco-friendly, since it is easier to recycle the aluminum. The cans are lined to prevent the wine coming in contact with the metal.
Refreshing and delicious
The Rosé and Bubbles are my daily drinkers at home. With notes of strawberry, apricot and ruby red grapefruit, this can of wine goes down very easy if you are not careful. The Bubbles are crisp, clean and refreshing with notes of citrus, green apple and nice effervescence. Available at most wine and grocery stores in the Lake Norman region.
Forget the beer, spiked seltzer, Zima and the rest — grab a six-pack of wine to enjoy anywhere those can go. Go where no wine has dared to go before! But with #pinkiesdown!
Wine images courtesy of Union Wine Company
Adam Arlen: “I am passionate about wine because it is history in a bottle.” He is the sommelier for The Peninsula Club in Cornelius, NC. Originally from Allentown, PA, he believes you should always branch out and find new things. His goal is to never stop learning and continuing to grow both personally and professionally. A fun fact about him: “I was a nuclear engineer on a submarine in a previous life.”
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