There have never been more options for wine on the go. A wave of producers is packaging high-quality wine in both cans and boxes from a range of grapes, such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Rhône varieties, with some foregoing bottles altogether. Below are some of the highest-rated alternatively packaged wines from recent tastings, perfect for a day at the beach, or anywhere cumbersome bottles can't go.
Canned wine sales are skyrocketing. Read our news story on the growing trend in alternative packaging in wine.
Alloy Wine Works made one of the highest-scoring wines here, a crisp and fruity Chardonnay that was aged in stainless steel. Its Pinot Noir spent 12 months in neutral French oak, and offers good value, especially for Pinot, which can often be costly.
Winemakers typically aim for easygoing styles, sometimes adding a light fizz. Bonny Doon's La Bulle-Moose Rousse, a fresh and approachable blend of Grenache and Syrah from the Central Coast, was fermented in stainless steel and then carbonated just before canning to keep it lively.
While some winemakers focus on specific regions, others cast a wider net for their wines. Ron Penner-Ash sources from growers up and down the West Coast for the Free Public snappy red, a blend of Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley in Oregon, and Merlot from Yakima Valley in Washington.
Producers are taking a similar approach with their boxed wine, sourcing from different regions and countries to keep costs low and quality high. Hal Landvoigt at House Wine tapped Chile's vast Central Valley for its lively and fruity Cabernet, a good option for a barbecue, especially since the 3-liter box holds four standard bottles' worth of wine.
Top-Scoring Recent Canned Wine Releases
The wines below were reviewed blind in Wine Spectator's Napa office, decanted into empty glass bottles to disguise their original packaging and tasted alongside wines originally bottled in glass.
WEST + WILDER
White American NV
Score: 88
WS review: Orange blossom, fennel and lemongrass notes are fragrant up front, giving way to a crisp, sleek mix of Key lime and grapefruit flavors. Manages to pack in a lot of flavor on a weightless, juicy frame. Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Muscat and Chardonnay. Sold as a three-pack of 250ml cans for $20. Drink now. 4,500 cases made.—MaryAnn Worobiec
ALLOY WINE WORKS
Chardonnay Central Coast NV
Score: 87 | $7/375ml
WS review: Fruity, with fresh-cut pear and ripe apple flavors that feature tangerine accents. Toasty notes show on the crisp finish. Drink now. 2,750 cases made.—Kim Marcus
FERDINAND
Rosé California 2018
Score: 87 | $9/375ml
WS review: Floral watermelon and orange zest aromas open to crisp and snappy flavors. Drink now. 700 cases made.—Tim Fish
FREE PUBLIC
Rosé American NV
Score: 87
WS review: Soft and user-friendly, with zesty strawberry and spiced watermelon flavors. Syrah and Pinot Gris. Sold as a three-pack of 250ml cans for $15. Drink now. 5,000 cases made.—T.F.
UNION WINE COMPANY
Pinot Noir Oregon Underwood NV
Score: 87 | $7/375ml
WS review: Snappy and fruit-forward, with bright cherry and sassafras flavors. Drink now through 2020.—T.F.
WEST + WILDER
Rosé California NV
Score: 87
WS review: Crisp and snappy, with easygoing orange peel and strawberry flavors. Zinfandel, Pinot Noir and Carignane. Sold as a three-pack of 250ml cans for $20. Drink now. 5,185 cases made.—T.F.
BONNY DOON
La Bulle-Moose Rousse Central Coast 2017
Score: 86
WS review: Fresh and approachable, offering lively strawberry and smoky cherry flavors that finish with a whisper of fizz. Grenache and Syrah. Sold as four-pack of 375ml cans for $32. Drink now. 679 cases made.—T.F.
CANNED OREGON
Pinot Gris Oregon NV
Score: 86 | $8/375ml
WS review: Soft and a touch sweet, with moderate pear flavors. Drink now. 3,700 cases made.—T.F.
FREE PUBLIC
Red Blend American NV
Score: 86
WS review: A snappy little red, strictly generic but lively, with cherry and smoked pepper flavors. Pinot Noir and Merlot. Sold as a three-pack of 250ml cans for $15. Drink now. 4,500 cases made.—T.F.
JAM
Rosé Candy California NV
Score: 86
WS review: Easygoing, with succulent raspberry and spice flavors. Syrah and Grenache. Sold as a four-pack of 250ml cans for $20. Drink now. 15,000 cases made.—T.F.
UNION WINE COMPANY
Rosé Underwood Oregon NV
Score: 86 | $7/375ml
WS review: Crisp and snappy, with lively rose petal and cherry flavors. Drink now.—T.F.
ALLOY WINE WORKS
Pinot Noir Central Coast NV
Score: 85 | $7/375ml
WS review: Cedary hints accent the dried red fruit flavors. Offers a clean finish, with notes of smoke and slightly charred underbrush. Drink now. 2,200 cases made.—K.M.
JAM
Chardonnay California Butter NV
Score: 85
WS review: Fruity and filled with red peach and apple tart flavors. Roasted almond accents show on the finish. Sold as a four-pack of 250ml cans for $20. Drink now. 12,000 cases made.—K.M.
UNION WINE COMPANY
Pinot Gris Oregon Underwood NV
Score: 85 | $7/375ml
WS review: Crisp and lively, with grapefruit and honeydew flavors. Drink now.—T.F.
WINESOCIETY
Tempt California NV
Score: 85 | $10/500ml
WS review: Fruit-forward and zesty, with low-key cherry and pepper flavors. Syrah, Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah. Drink now. 7,000 cases made.—T.F.
ALLOY WINE WORKS
Everyday Red Central Coast NV
Score: 84 | $7/375ml
WS review: A touch sweet and simple, with cherry jam and spicy vanilla flavors. Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Graciano and Carignane. Drink now. 2,750 cases made.—T.F.
BONNY DOON
La Bulle-Moose Blanche Central Coast 2017
Score: 84
WS review: Light and lemony, with a refreshing fizziness, and a slight grassy and floral edge on the finish. Vermentino. Sold as a four-pack of 375ml cans for $32. Drink now. 2,521 cases made.—M.W.
FREE PUBLIC
White American NV
Score: 84
WS review: Refreshing and vibrantly juicy in a smooth and nondescript way, offering moderate pear and citrus flavors, with faint whiffs of dried floral and herb notes. Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Sold as a three-pack of 250ml cans for $15. Drink now. 4,500 cases made.—M.W.
Top-Scoring Recent Box Wine Releases
The wines below were reviewed blind in Wine Spectator's Napa office, decanted into empty glass bottles to disguise their original packaging and tasted alongside wines originally bottled in glass.
HOUSE WINE
Cabernet Sauvignon Central Valley NV
Score: 87 | $25/3L
WS review: Lively and fruity, with blueberry, cassis and red plum flavors. The spicy finish has some chocolaty notes. Drink now. 20,000 cases made.—K.M.
WINE CUBE
Rosé California 2017
Score: 87 | $18/3L
WS review: Easygoing, with lightly zesty watermelon and strawberry flavors. Merlot, Syrah, Gewürztraminer, Moscato and Viognier. Drink now. 27,000 cases made.—T.F.
WINE CUBE
Chardonnay California 2017
Score: 86 | $18/3L
WS review: Juicy, with touches of richness to the pear tart and dried apple flavors. The creamy finish shows hints of fennel and plenty of spice details. Drink now. 30,000 cases made.—K.M.
HOUSE WINE
Original Red Blend Central Valley NV
Score: 85 | $25/3L
WS review: A jammy and fruity style, with boysenberry and cherry tart flavors that feature ripe spicy notes. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now. 20,000 cases made.—K.M.
BANDIT
Chardonnay California NV
Score: 84 | $10/1L
WS review: A straightforward white, with pear and ripe apple flavors. Buttery hints show on the finish. Drink now. 80,000 cases made.—K.M.
BANDIT
Red Blend California NV
Score: 84 | $10/1L
WS review: Simple and slightly sweet, with moderate cherry and toasted spice flavors. Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now. 10,000 cases made.—T.F.
BANDIT
Sauvignon Blanc California NV
Score: 84 | $10/1L
WS review: Medium-bodied, with a whiff of fennel and dried hay notes mingling with lemony flavors and sturdy acidity. Drink now. 3,000 cases made.—M.W.
BOTA BOX
Nighthawk Black California 2017
Score: 84 | $20/3L
WS review: A juicy quaff, with easygoing cherry and toasted spice flavors. Zinfandel, Syrah and Merlot. Drink now. 500,000 cases made.—T.F.
BOTA BOX
Pinot Grigio California 2017
Score: 84 | $23/3L
WS review: Distinctively floral, set on a crisp, tangy frame, with candied green apple and pear flavors. Drink now. 693,000 cases made.—M.W.
BOTA BOX
Rosé Dry California 2017
Score: 84 | $23/3L
WS review: Simple, with hints of peach and watermelon. Chenin Blanc, Zinfandel and Petit Sirah. Drink now. 127,000 cases made.—T.F.
ORIGINAL HOUSE WINE
Rosé America NV
Score: 84 | $25/3L
WS review: Soft and sweet, with slight cherry and spice flavors. Drink now. 5,000 cases made.—T.F.
