I’m going, I’m going
Where the water tastes like wine
I’m going
Where the water tastes like wine
We can jump in the water
Stay drunk all the time– Going Up The Country by Canned Heat
Love that song and Canned Heat’s unique sound. In any case, the wine industry can advance at a glacier-like pace when it comes to change. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but with the popularity of wine now being marketed to the masses, change will come. As to that end, the unique idea of canned wine may be here.
This is unique but actually Winestar, a French company – of all people – produced some canned wine a few years. Of course, they insisted it be drank in a glass. Those French blends came from the south of France. Now, over 5,000 miles away, a small winery in Boise, Idaho, is bringing vino in a can to the public. Split Rail Winery who are the makers of La Boheme White Wine – this most recent stab at canned wine – suggests you should drink it right out of the can.
Egads!
I’m sure the bulk of wine drinkers are cringing at this thought. Pop a aluminum top can, rather than a cork?! The horrors! Established and longtime lovers of wine wouldn’t possibly drink vino out of a can. However, the canned approach to drinking wine is aimed at a new following, who are younger and don’t need the pomp and circumstance or care about the history that can go with traditional wine.
Although the folks at Split Rail Winery like to say the idea is new, Union Wine Company, just 400 miles to the west, came out a year or so ago with their Underwood Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio in a can. By the way, La Boheme is a Riesling, branded as Strange Folk Wines.
And the idea of canning quality spirits isn’t new in this area where craft brewing is so big, what with quality micro-brews also being canned on a regular basis (Forbes).
Heading up and outdoors to the country
Campers or just outdoor enthusiasts will understand the draw. Canned wine is easier to dispose of than a bottle, plus when you’re out and about in the sticks like at a lake, river or ocean, it will be much easier to enjoy from an ice cooler while sitting around the campfire, partying or just having a fun time.
The issue I see is people will be drinking a can of wine like they drink beer, and that could lead to folks getting plastered much quicker and easier. At $6 each, La Boheme comes in 12.7 oz lined aluminum can which is equal to half a bottle of wine. Yee Haw will likely lead to Heave Ho – if you get my drift.
There are others making canned wine, but it figures that wine in a can would take off in a place like Idaho where being outdoors is a way of life. The Strange Folk Wines’ cans say it all: ‘PULL TABS, NOT CORKS’. The process of drinking wine may be changing. As they state on Split Rail Winery’s website:
“Its time to think outside the bottle.”
Cheers,
Daryle W. Hier
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Paso Wine Barrels 