🍷 The Weekly Sip: The Hero Your Summer Didn’t Know It Needed: Canned Wine

Yes, You Read That Right

Canned wine. Yes, you read that correctly. I wanted to go ahead and rip the Band-Aid off early and get the shock factor out of the way.

Now before you panic, take a breath and stay with me for just a minute.

Summertime is traditionally filled with cookouts, family time, and outdoor activities. All of these endeavors are great fun, but aren’t exactly conducive to enjoying delicious wine. If you’re traveling, spending time outside or around kids, wine can sometimes be tricky. You have to think about a corkscrew and drinkware, packing the bottles in a way so they’re secure, and broken glass outside or around children is never a good thing.

This is where canned wine can really be a hero. The history of canned wine actually goes back decades, with the first (unsuccessful) experiments happening in the US as the nation was coming out of its Prohibition era. It finally broke onto the scene as a satisfactory option in the 1980s and has only gained in popularity since. Now, if you were to ask around, a lot of people might tell you that canned wine is never good and not worth your money. I am here to tell you that is simply not true.

This week, I want you to meet Lubanzi

More specifically, the Red Blend and Chenin Blanc canned wines from Lubanzi. This brand was started by friends Charlie Brain and Walker Brown who, while in South Africa as exchange students in 2014, encountered a stray dog the locals called “Lubanzi”. The pup accompanied them for 6 days and over 100 miles of hiking along South Africa’s Wild Coast, and the attitude of curious wandering combined with determined grit embedded itself.

By 2016, the two friends moved to South Africa and partnered with local winegrowers to help bring their dream to life. Their motto - Locally run, globally minded - reflects their thoughtful and sustainable approach.

Here’s why I love what they’re doing:

• Their Red Blend is a beautifully balanced combination of floral, fruity and earthy with notes of cherry, blackberry, stone, and a hint of smoke. It holds up wonderfully to the grilled meats and early summer berries common at a weekend cookout.

• The Chenin Blanc is vibrant with notes of honeydew melon, lemon peel, and white peach with a bright nose and clean minerality. Pair it with your summer salads, grilled chicken and fish, or enjoy it solo for a light, fresh sip. Whether you’re hiking, grilling, at the lake, or sitting poolside, canned wines have a lot to offer in both flavor and convenience, and I highly encourage you to give them a chance.

As I stated several weeks ago in my introduction, a core purpose for this column is to help teach thoughtful, respectful, and responsible enjoyment. Note that these cans are the equivalent of a ½ bottle of wine, so please be mindful when enjoying them.

As always, if you need help finding a wine or spirit suited to you, or have questions or comments, you can reach me at [email protected]. You can also find me at Spirit Shop Falls Road if you want to stop by and see me. Here is to a fun and safe summer spent with friends and family!

Cheers!

Haley