Top tipple swaps from bottles to cans

Top tipple swaps from bottles to cans

Forget the cork, screw cap or even a glass - 'cracking one open' isn't just for beer drinkers anymore.

Misty Cove in Blenheim is the first winery in New Zealand to start canning wine, and says it's not only convenient, but also good for storing the drink.

"The can in itself as a vessel is brilliant," winemaker Andrew Bailey told Newshub.

"There's no light strike, there's no oxygen getting in there. It's absolutely perfect for wine really."

He says the can has a protective lining, so the aluminium doesn't tamper with the taste.

While he admits the idea might not go down well with some, he says the product is just what the industry needs.

"It really needs to come up with something new and engage those new or younger consumers and get away from that stiff boring image that wine has."

Mr Bailey says the cans are made with both red and white wine, and he hopes to introduce a six pack of smaller 250ml cans.

The trend is still relatively new in New Zealand but it's taking off in the US.

Canned wine sales have more than doubled in the past year from $6.4 million to $14.5 million dollars.

So how does the concept go down with Kiwi wine drinkers?

"I don't think I would - I just don't like the sound of it, it doesn't really go with what wine is," one drinker told Newshub.

One person said cans are for juice, not wine, but another was willing to give it a shot.

"I think I would, as long as it didn't affect the taste that would be the main thing. I think there's a lot of benefits to it," she said.

The winemakers association believes people will either love it or hate it but as far as Mr Bailey's concerned, there's a bottomless can of opportunities.

Newshub.