According to Total Wine, wine found in a bottle or a can is identical, just packaged differently. Canned wine is seeing significant growth in an otherwise stagnant market with a 43% increase for canned wine sales . This segment of the wine industry is having its moment due to its initial popularity among millennials but canned wine consumption is now increasing in other generations as well.

Popping the top of a can instead of needing to pull out a foil cutter and corkscrew makes wine cans convenient. Wine packaged in aluminum also makes it easier to consume at beaches, pools, concerts, and anywhere glass isn’t welcome.

How is canned wine made?

Cans of wine have a coating on the inside, called the lining, which helps preserve the wine’s character. Recent technology advances in the lining have eliminated the aluminum from interacting with the wine. Additionally, unlike glass, aluminum is 100% infinitely recyclable . The less expensive packaging and the 360-degree marketing on the can are benefits to the winemaker. For the consumer, cans chill more quickly than bottles, which makes them perfect for a spur-of-the-moment rosé.

With cans becoming more prevalent, winemakers have three options for canning: Hire a mobile canner to come directly to the winery, ship their wine to an off-sight canner, or expand their manufacturing and can the wine in-house.

Cans have an obvious advantage here with their small size making it easy to finish or share one can. Unopened cans do not need to be refrigerated. In addition, the small size of a can lends itself better to wine pairings for your next tasting menu.

Canned wine can be packaged in five sizes: 187ml, 250ml, 375ml, 500ml, and 700ml sizes. Due to several factors, including portion size and convenience, the 187ml and 250ml size cans are the most popular.