Although wineries have been selling canned wine for years, the controversial use of aluminum packaging is back in the news thanks to a sleek new 375-ml FLASQ bottle by California’s JT Wines. Many attribute the first use of aluminum cans to Niebaum-Coppola’s Sofia Blanc de Blancs released in small single-serving cans in 2004, but I did a little research and found that the Australians beat them to it. Here’s a short history of the infamous wine/can pairing:
1996-1997: Wine in a can concept goes into research and development as Australian Barokes Pty Ltd is registered.
2001: Barokes under CEO Greg Stokes releases 30,000 cans (330-ml) of 1998 cabernet shiraz under the Iron Bridge label.
2003: Barokes extends it’s canned wine distribution internationally after making a partnership with Spotlight Corporation.
2004: Niebaum-Coppola ships their first 5,000 cans of Sofia Blanc de Blancs (seen left) to high-end nightclubs in major metro cities.
2011: JT Wines of St. Helena, CA introduces 375-ml “FLASQ” ™ bottles of Merlot and Chardonnay (seen below).
Having lived in Sonoma County for over a decade, I can say with confidence that those in the wine industry tend to take one of three stances when it comes to wine in a can (a) it’s a sign of the apocalypse, (b) this IS the apocalypse, or (c) most bottled wine comes from stainless steel containers before getting shipped in glass, so what’s the big deal with cans?
To be honest, I’m somewhere on the fence with this one myself. In a taste test, I would never know the difference between wine shipped in a bottle versus a can. On the other hand, it will be quite a while before I see myself serving guests with wine from a can…or wine with a screw top for that matter. It’s a mental hangup that will most likely die with the Gen Xers as GenY boldly goes where no wine drinkers have gone before…the can and beyond.
What do you think about wine in cans? Are you already regularly drinking wine from cans? If so, would you think twice about serving wine from an aluminum bottle? I’d love to hear from you on Facebook and Twitter.
Welcome to the Foodifesto!
J.B.
