How canned wine is fast becoming mainstream

 

Wine in a can is becoming increasingly popular with more and more canned wines appearing on the shelves of retailers. 

Fourth Wave Wines has several of its brands available in cans - including Elephant in the Room, Le Chat Noir and Take it to The Grave - while Treasury Wine Estates offers Squealing Pig, and Innocent Bystander has enjoyed success with its moscato in an aluminium format.

Leading brands in the marketplace include Barokes, Crafters Union, and Riot Wines, while Jacob's Creek has also dipped its toe into the water. 

Wine in cans is a relatively new concept but is fast gaining traction - and the latest offering is not a bargain basement cheapie.

Port Phillip Estate on the Mornington Peninsula has just released its 2022 Salasso Rosé in both a 750ml bottle (RRP $27) and 250ml can (RRP $11). 

I tried the wine in a can and could discern no difference between it and the bottled wine - at least for immediate drinking. 

"Experimentation is an essential element of our winemaking philosophy , and in this case we have explored a non-traditional packaging format," says Port Phillip Estate and Kooyong chief winemaker Glen Hayley. 

"We were attracted to the slim 250ml aluminium can for its numerous environmentally friendly attributes, and its convenience."

Three 250ml cans are approximately 40% lighter than a traditional 750ml bottle, and more space efficient, as well as being durable and easily portable.

Port Phillip Estate says aluminium is "the most cost effective material to recycle". 

Hayley points out there was initial resistance among consumers to screwcaps but now over 90% of Australian wine is bottled using that format. 

"We believe it is important to challenge our current thinking and and occasionally challenge the accepted norms of premium wines," Hayley says.

The 250ml cans are available at cellar door and online at www.portphillipestate.com.au