NOW EXPERIENCING:Canned wines are about to hit the mainstream – here are 5 to try right now
Hit List|Wine|White Wine|Summer

Canned wines are about to hit the mainstream – here are 5 to try right now


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Posted 19 Oct 2023

By
Brad Nash


A basket full of different canned wines

Consider your next picnic tipple sorted.

The tinnie-fication of just about every drink imaginable over the past few years has put an incredible variety of tipples at our fingertips in a way we haven’t seen before. It’s transformed a world where the super-sweet alcopop was once the only viable alternative to a beer while out and about, bringing about a new age of canned cocktails, premium spritzes and, of course, hard seltzers, all available with the pop and hiss of a ring-pull. 

Perhaps understandably for long-time drinkers, though, wine has until very recently been resistant to these winds of change. A perception remains that wine in a can would likely be lower quality or affected by the way in which it’s stored, which in 2023 is simply not true. After years of only the most mass-market wines getting the mini treatment, the tide is finally shifting. Canned wine is about to have its moment.

Following the global trend of alternative wineries and subscription services using single-serve cans to showcase their wares, more premium winemakers here in Australia are going down the canned route, offering multi-packs that combine flexibility and portability with a drinking experience every bit as good as what you’d get out of a bottle. All you need to do is pop the top.

Here are five worth trying right now.

Somme Rosé Dry with Bubbles on a picnic rug

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1. Somme Rosé Dry with Bubbles

Rosé is practically made for summer picnicking, so it feels mad that it’s taken this long for someone to think of sticking it in a can. Thankfully, the folks at Somme came along, canning a multi-regional blend that’s fresh, vivacious and fruity with a light sparkle to ramp up the party vibes.

2. Take it to the Grave Shiraz

Drinking a full-bodied shiraz from a can might take the biggest adjustment of any of the wines on this list, but this South Australian red from the award-winning winemakers smooths the transition nicely. Expect all the hallmarks of a classic Aussie shiraz, with bright berries and dark fruit balanced by a subtle spiciness and a dry finish, making it perfect for pairing with a barbecue in the park.
Take It To The Grave Shiraz in a can

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Yarra Burn Cuvee Prosecco cans at a picnic

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3. Yarra Burn Cuvee Prosecco

If prosecco is your vibe, whether you’re at a celebration or not, Yarra Burn should be your first port of call. It’s bang on for when you’re heading to an outdoor event or just want a wine you can crack without having to finish the whole bottle (or risk it spoiling). This is a convenient new way to carry what is already one of Australia’s most popular sparklings, with bright green-fruit flavours and a clean, crisp acidity that’s a stellar match for the cheese board.

4. Elephant In The Room Chardonnay

With the breadth and variety of chardonnays available in Australia, Elephant In The Room Chardonnay is the type of genuine crowd-pleaser you can rely on for more relaxed occasions. Big and oaky in flavour, but dry and light-bodied enough to go with any manner of picnic food, it’s the ultimate all-rounder to stash in the fridge if a white wine is your go-to. 
Elephant In The Room Chardonnay in a basket with picnic food

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Opening a can of SOFI Spritz Blood Orange & Bitters

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5. SOFI Spritz Blood Orange & Bitters

If you want a little extra flavour with your canned wine, try this. Admittedly, canned spritzes are nothing new, but for fans of the classic summer aperitif, the folks at SOFI make one of the best of the bunch. With premium Aussie sparkling as the key ingredient, blood orange and bitters are added to make an RTD that’s as vivacious as it is moreish. 
Need to plan the perfect picnic? Steal these ideas on how to go about it for the ultimate sunny day out with friends. 
image credits: Charlie Hawks (photography), Bridget Wald (styling).