Wine belongs in a bottle, many thought, and still think. But then there are those that aren’t satisfied with the status quo, and so those risk takers decided to put wine in a box. Then, they pushed further, thinking outside the wine box by putting wine in cans. Crazy. Or is it? We needed to find out for you, so we searched the web to find the consensus best canned wine brands, according to experts, and we’ve listed them here for you.
Luckily, having a can of wine to sip on makes it even easier to enjoy anywhere you go. And research shows drinking wine won’t necessarily harm your health. In a new study, researchers in Canada say enjoying a daily beer or glass of wine does not raise the risk of a premature death. It may not harm you, but it also won’t help you. This study reveals that you will not gain any health benefits from light, moderate, or, of course, heavy alcohol consumption.
Now that you can justify popping a bottle (or can), get to it! And did you know that your taste in wine may actually reveal something about you? A new study shows that those who enjoy red wine said they’re introverts (48%), while respondents who enjoy sparkling wine, are the most likely to be outgoing, identifying as extroverts (40%). With cans being a new addition to the market, we’re not exactly sure yet what it means to be a can fan, but let’s find out!
So, if you love a good bottle of wine, why not try a can this time? Below is our list of the top five best canned wine brands, according to experts. Of course, we want to hear from you. Which canned wine is your favorite? Comment below to let us know!
The List: Best Canned Wine Brands, According to Experts
1. Underwood by Union Wine Company
Experts recommend a variety of canned wines from Underwood. Martha Stewart appreciates the rosé: “The state of Oregon is renowned for its roses, and it turns out the cool, moist climate is also excellent for rosé, as this easygoing wine shows. Sip it poolside, porch side, or pair it with grilled fish, chicken, or summer salads.”
The Spruce Eats opts for the pinot gris. “One of the first canned wines everyone should try is Underwood Pinot Gris. If you were to pour this Oregon white into a wine glass and hide the can, most people would guess that it came from a bottle. It is the same 13 percent ABV wine you’ll find in Underwood’s bottle, made with locally-sourced grapes, but in a convenient 375-milliliter can. This is a classic example of pinot gris: dry, crisp, bright, and silky, with a wonderfully fruity bouquet of apples, lemons, and pears. That makes it a perfect picnic wine, pairing wonderfully with any of the typical foods you’d pack for the park.”
But if you’d prefer a little pinot noir, StyleCaster is with you: “Underwood’s canned wines came recommended by several sommeliers. But Kathleen Bershad had a different favorite than the rest: the Underwood Pinot Noir. ‘I love that you get all the wonderful qualities of pinot—its light body, violet and strawberry flavors, and earthy undertones—in such an unexpected package,’ the sommelier says. ‘Cans also make it easier to serve this wine chilled, [creating] a delightfully refreshing red wine for a warm summer day.’”
2. House Wine
If you’re looking for another rosé, try this limited edition recommended by Insider. “Created in Walla Walla, Washington, House Wine was conceived by an ex-rock n’ roll manager (yes, really), and the head winemaker has a motto truly fit for canned wines: don’t overthink it, just drink it. From what we tried, there doesn’t seem to be a bad option in the mix. The Brut Bubbles was especially refreshing in the New York summer humidity and the Sauvignon Blanc was one of the best straight-forward, non-bubbly wine options we tried.”
PureWow ranks Underwood first on their list of canned wines. “When it comes to choosing crowd-pleasing wines, look no further than Underwood. Whether you’re into a crisp bubbly, a juicy rosé or a smoky Pinot Noir, you’ll find it here. The flavors are bold but not overwhelming; the kind of drink that’s memorable yet has a clean finish, so you don’t feel the need to brush your teeth 20 minutes after your final sip. (The Pinot Noir does have a lingering, leathery aftertaste—but we weren’t mad about it.)”
“Union Wine Company has taken the world by storm when it comes to canned wine, and I’d be remiss if I left it off this list of best canned wines! It’s one of the easier cans to find in the market at wine shops and grocery stores (even some Trader Joe’s!). Founded and featuring Oregon wines, Underwood is a larger wine company that still pays attention to the details, crafting quality wines. Their cans measure out to 375ml, or half a bottle of wine, so be careful when sipping! It’s the largest size can on this list, so far. In their lineup is a Pinot Gris (fruity, with notes of citrus, pear, and a dash of peach), a Rosé (jolly rancher-like aromas on the nose, not my favorite), and a Pinot Noir (surprisingly good, with ripe red fruit aromas, bright acidity, and a little tartness),” writes Wine with Paige.
3. Lubanzi
A wine stumbled upon by accident? Maybe. Food52 says, “Two American students traveling in South Africa hit upon Lubanzi, a line of bottle- and-canned wines with a strong ethical component: In addition to being fair trade, carbon neutral, and a B-corp, the company sends 50 percent of its profits back for the healthcare and education of vineyard workers. What’s in the cans is the same luminous, vibrant wine that’s in the bottles, including some less-usual offerings like a Chenin Blanc that tastes of clean minerality, pear, white peach and lemon peel, and a Rhone blend with notes of blueberry, plum and black pepper.”
“The 2018 Lubanzi Red Blend wine in a can begins with pleasing aromas of red and black cherry, strawberry and cranberry with spice notes and a touch earthiness. Taking a sip reveals a smooth, medium-bodied, tasty wine with lots of sweet, juicy fruit plus nicely integrated spice notes and hints of chocolate. It’s a light, fresh style of Rhone blend that’s quite enjoyable and it fits the can format perfectly. The touch of earthiness from the nose continues and leads into the dry, long, tart, mouthwatering finish. Bulk Buy! The 2018 Lubanzi Chenin Blanc wine in a can begins with pleasing aromas of pear, touches of tropical fruit and a little fresh baked bread. This is terribly refreshing stuff. The light-bodied wine features a nice mouthfeel and viscosity, bright acidity and good depth of flavor on the yummy peach, citrus and green apple fruit. Touches of spice lead into the long, dry, finish of long-lasting tart fruit,” explains Reverse Wine Snob.
Insider adds: “Lubanzi was created in Cape Town by two young travelers in partnership with South African winemakers, viticulturists, farm laborers, and humanitarians. This is also a wine you can feel good about drinking since the company is big on sustainability and 50% of the net profits go to non-profits supporting the communities whose labor makes the country’s wine farms possible. I particularly loved the easy-to-drink and refreshing rosé, which drinks a lot like a prosecco thanks to the fact it is produced via a second ferment in tank. However, you also can’t go wrong with Lubanzi’s Chenin Blanc cans, which have bright notes of melon, green apple, and white peach.”
4. Archer Roose
You may want to chill the Malbec, according to StyleCaster: “Searching for a juicy red you can sip from a can? Archer Roose’s Malbec doesn’t disappoint. ‘Archer Roose did an amazing job with their Malbec,’ Gerstein says. ‘Malbec is generally quite rich, [and] this wine [is] very fruit-forward.’ To balance out all that juice, Gerstein recommends serving the wine ‘a bit cooler than you’re used to.’ The wine will go down easier—but it’ll still pack a punch.”
PureWow lists the Archer Roose Sauvignon Blanc as their best dry white wine: “Just because Archer Roose’s ads are lighthearted doesn’t mean the brand isn’t serious about vino. Its Sauvignon Blanc can hold its own against high-end bottles, with citrus-meets-bell-pepper notes, dry taste and shimmering minerality. It’s excellent paired with seafood or Mediterranean dishes (it can really hold its own against salty feta and olives and garlicky shrimp, in particular).”
And for a little more about the brand, Food52 adds: “The smart and funny Elizabeth Banks has just become the CCO and tongue-in-cheek spokesperson for this luxury-hip canned wine brand. Archer Roose offers rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, and a sparkling white blend, and incorporates neat touches like skin-contact fermentation, low interventions, and atypical grapes from niche regions in France, Greece, Argentina, and Chile.”
5. Scarpetta
Listed as the best bubbly red, Martha Stewart writes, “If you’re not familiar with sparkling red wines, it’s time to give them a try. Lambrusco, a lightly sparkling red from Italy‘s Emilia-Romagna region, is a great place to start and a wine you’ll want to quaff again and again. It’s intended to be served chilled, and is very food friendly. It might just be the ultimate pairing for your grilled pizza or burger. The slim cans from Scarpetta are easy to tote and hold 250 milliliters.”
StyleCaster seconds the Lambrusco, and the pizza: “Lambrusco doesn’t take itself too seriously, so it’s the perfect thing to drink from a can. This Scarpetta Frico Lambrusco is rich, juicy and just a little bit tart. And it’s quickly become a fan favorite. So crack open the sparkling red wine while snacking on charcuterie, or serve it alongside a piping hot pizza. Just remember to pop the wine in the fridge first—Lambrusco is best served chilled.”
It’s becoming quite clear that pizza is a must when drinking this wine. Food52 advises to “look for the pig’s hind-quarters on the visually striking label for Scarpetta, a respected Italian maker of bottled wines that offers just two chic cans: a red Lambrusco with tiny little bubbles meant to be served chilled, and a white from Northern Italy, made in the Prosecco style. Lambrusco is a personal favorite of ours with charcuterie or pizza.”
You may also be interested in:
- Best Wineries in America
- Best Wine Fridges for 2023
- Best Boxed Wine
- Best White Wines under $20
- Best Red Wines under $20
Sources:
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links.