I tend to think of rosé as the hefeweizen of wine. It’s easy to drink, it doesn’t offend the senses, it definitely won’t break the bank and it has the potential for subtle but tasty notes. And although I’ve been known to drink rosé during the heart of South Texas winter, summer is really the ideal season to throw back a bottle or two. But summer also means river outings and poolside hangs where big, beautiful bottles of glass are usually frowned upon. Enter canned rosé.
Canned wines have had a place in the market for the past several years, but the pink stuff started gracing shelves in 2016. Much like beer, the aluminum cans help keep the wine from sunlight (not that you’ll be cellaring these teensy cans, rosé isn’t that kind of wine). Bonus: they’re recyclable, lightweight and have a higher alcohol content by volume. It’s still relatively hard to find canned rosé in SA, but we hit up a few notable shops to score our bundles. Here’s what we found.
Infinite Monkey Theorem Rosé Wine
Size // 4 250-milliliter cans, roughly two pours per can
Price // $14.99 at Whole Foods
Infinite Monkey Theorem began in 2008 when winemaker Ben Parsons opened a back alley warehouse in which to make his wares. With “no vineyard…and no pretense,” the wines are easy drinking and available in bottles or cans. The rosé in this case was our panel’s favorite. Described as a “bowl of fresh summer berries drizzled with cream” the IMT was more bodied than the others, leaned dry with just the slightest hint of sugar and packed in the berry notes. The cans are also slightly bigger than the rest and total eight cups when added together. Perfect for sipping along the Guadalupe.
Bollicini
Size // 4 187-milliliter cans, essentially a big pour
Price // $10.99 at Central Market
Here’s what we know based on this wine’s can: it’s a sparkling rosé, it’s Italian, and it’s a product of Italy. Oh, and it’s 11 percent ABV. The Bollicini and Presto (from Whole Foods Market) are basically identical down to the price. Aesthetically, the only thing that sets them apart is a different pink hue and a name. Bollicine translates to bubble, as noted by the silver dots on the can. But while the cans might be entirely too similar, the Bollicini is darker, less sweet and definitely more layered. Let it sit a few minutes after cracking the can open. Take it with you for your next nail appointment.
Presto
Size // 4 187-milliliter cans
Price // $10.99 from Whole Foods Market
Fizzy and sweet, perfect for the Moscato lovers out there looking to dip a toe into the rosé pool. Again, we don’t know much about this wine other than it’s perfect for the pool or for mixing with more booze. It made for a fun mimosa on a recent Sunday morning, but could also be mixed with Aperol and club soda for a modified spritz.
Simpler Wines Brand
Size // 4 187-milliliter cans
Price // $3.99 from Trader Joe’s
Listen, for $4, we weren’t asking for a whole lot from this wine in a can. That said, the results were pleasant and extra fizzy from this Italian offering. The bubbles from this number were slightly larger, but flattened as time passed. Still, it did have a crispness that would help cut through rich foods during Memorial Day barbecues.
