Carpe Wine: No glass bottles allowed? No problem

Summer is synonymous for sipping outside but that glass of wine you want to enjoy can get a little persnickety this time of year. Wine has never been the most conducive beverage for outdoor activities given it doesn’t love the heat. And, most pools, lakes, beaches and even campsites don’t allow glass bottles … broken glass and bare feet have never paired well. But, there are several ways you can still sip your favorite wine at most outdoor activities without the worry of glass. Here are a few I’ve personally tested.

Canned wine

Canned wine can no longer be overlooked. Not only has the quality improved but the technology with the aluminum has as well. Like beer and soda, wine cans have a protective coating or liner so it doesn’t transmit an aluminum taste to the wine.

There are some amazing, award winning wines coming out of cans. What’s even better is many times you can buy individual cans versus a four or six pack – you can have a variety of bubbles, riesling, chardonnay, sauv blanc, red blends or my favorite summer wine – rosé.

I do want to point out that many canned wines come in cans that are the same size as a soda can, 375 ml, which means one cans is equal to half a bottle of wine. The thinner cans – 250 mL – are equal to about a third of bottle, or about two glasses.

Sip tip: I don’t know the technical shelf-life of canned wines, but I do know they’re not meant to age so I suggest you drink them within a year. Don’t try to save unopened canned wines from this summer for next year. 

Support Local Journalism

Donate

Top canned wine recommendations

• Colterris Canterris Rosé
• NV Underwood Pinot Noir
• Underwood Rosé Bubbles
• MANCAN Red Blend
• Jetway Seltzer White Wine
• Jetway Wine Seltzer Rose Wine
• Freetime Wine White Pinot Noir
• Sofia Mini Blanc de Blancs
• The OBC Wine Project, Colorado Fizz
• The OBC Wine Project, Red Blend
• Michael David Freakshow Cabernet

Boxed wines

Gone are the days of the white zinfandel I grew up seeing in my parent’s refrigerator. Boxed wines can and should have a place in your summer sipping. Not only are they more environmentally friendly than glass bottles but since they’re never “opened” the wine can last for weeks in your fridge.

Top boxed wine recommendations

Outside of some of the most common boxed wines – Black Box and House Wine – which are good choices, there are others I’ve found that are highly rated and delicious. While it’s not a Grand Cru from Bordeaux, Ami-Ami is still a fancy French wine in a box. With options that include rosé, orange wine, a red blend of syrah and malbec, as well as a white blend of sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. Tables Creek in Paso Robles received 93 points from Decanter for its Patelin de Tablas Rosé. And, I love Spanish wines so Quadrum Red – a blend of tempranillo and garnacha – is a must sip.

Sip tip: If you can help it, try not to sip your summer wines from a plastic cup.  Not only is plastic bad for the environment but wine just doesn’t always taste right in plastic cups. Since glass isn’t an option, grab a Yeti or similar metal wine tumbler with a lid to keep the sand and bugs out of your wine and keep the flavor profile right.

Sip what you want even if it comes in glass

If you have a favorite wine that is not in a can or box that doesn’t mean it’s not a “no glass” drinking option. Enter the insulated stainless-steel water bottle. My go-to is the Corkcicle. The 25 oz Corkcicle will hold nearly an entire bottle of wine. (A full bottle is 750 ml or 25.4 ounces of wine.)

Another option is to use a wine bag or wine purse. These discreetly hide your wine while keeping it chilled. My favorite is the PortoVino wine purse. Not only are they cute and come in a variety of styles but the wine bag holds two bottles of wine (or 1.5L of your favorite beverage) from a removable, easy to use, bpa-free beverage pouch.