With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?

James Bailey Smith, I’m a cameraman documentary filmmaker and winemaker. Located in Bristol City Centre in the UK.

Nice to meet you James and very interesting….a cameraman and filmmaker…. so what is your background in wine?

Well I’ve been doing my camera and film work for 15 years but I decided to get into the wine industry because I got hold of a lot moment. So in the UK, we have small Parcels of land called allotments where people can grow like fruits and vegetables. And I’m very fortunate to have one outside the back of my house. And so I when I moved to this house, it, I got the allotment and I decided for the first thing I would do is plant a small vineyard with the eye. Idea of making my own wine which I have been doing now for three years and I just fell in love with wine making and I wanted to work out how I could get into the industry started researching some ideas and realize that I well discovered that canned wine was becoming popular in America and so I decided to set up a English canned wine company. So basically I’m a winemaker small scale, Back Garden, Vineyard allotments. I don’t have a background in wine other than drinking it, which I guess is the same for a lot of people but in terms of like the wine industry I have been making my own wine and that’s kind of what got me interested purely through making my own wine called NANIA’S.

That is so cool! Backyard wine from a filmmakers, this story gets better and better! How would you describe your wine in a can?

Okay, so we just have one product at the moment. It is a English Rose, a spritzer. So we made a very, very fruit forward base wine from a great called rot, the Rondo great which grows very well in the UK. It’s a hybrid grape that also is used in The Netherlands!. So it’s much better for our climates which is all we are on the margins of what is possible.

Be a small sort of disruptive brand in this space

So it’s five and a half percent and it’s bursting with summer fruit notes. So we’ve got loads of raspberries in there also great amount of strawberry, it is really delicious easy going drink. It’s not a pretentious is an uncomplicated wine, but it does have some complexity because we’ve we’ve added a small amount of a raspberry shrub.

So a shrub is a kind of cordial, but it’s not really a cordial. It’s it’s a way of preserving freedom. So Sailors used to have a shrub on their sailing ship so they would get their vitamin C on the long voyages across the Atlantic.

And so I have put a small amount of raspberry shrub into the mix in the spritzer to give it a little bit more complexity and a shrub is made of vinegar which is one of the things that preserves it. There is a very tiny amount of this raspberry shrub in the mix, which adds somebody and some complexity to the whole drink. It’s a deliciously refreshing summer spritzer!

Why are you in the canned wine industry?

Why would you not want to buy quality wines in a smaller format? I mean, it just makes complete sense. You know, if I open a bottle of wine on a Monday night or Tuesday with dinner the Temptation and often what happens is that you’d finish the whole lot or you might drink it on Wednesday. And, you know, we all know we shouldn’t be drinking so much. So it’s much better for portion control. And I think that the public will realize that very soon and can wine will be a very good it proposition.

Well, the wine industry bottles are the past, the cans of the future.

That’s why I’ve decided to go with can whine and I guess the other thing is; who am I to go up against this ancient industry of wine trading, and just do what everyone else is doing and put my wine in a bottle? That sounds to me like really hard work, why would you want to set up a company doing exactly the same as everyone else has been doing for so long? So for me can wine made more sense because it’s a new thing and exciting thing and something that I can get behind and be a small sort of disruptive brand in this space, everyone’s doing bottles and wine. Why would I do that? That’s kind of how I feel.

You sound like an innovative entrepreneur with a Millennial perspective on life, just what the world of canned wines needs! But how do you see the future of canned wines?

What I predict that will happen is that you will go into shops and supermarkets in a two or three years time and there will be a fridge full of canned wine with varieties from all over the world. And there will be a distinct section within one shot. They’ll be a range of qualities and prices. It will broadly, speaking will reflect the rest of the wine world. I also think there will be more interesting wines in the canned wine fridge in every shop.

The future? A fridge full of canned wine with varieties from all over the world

For the International Canned Wine Competition, in my role as their International Ambassador was reasonable of acquisition of new sponsor contracts. One of the news sponsors is the Ardagh Metal Beverage Europe. Below you will read an interview with Adriana Escobar, Product Manager at Ardagh Metal Beverage Europe.

What is your personal background?

I’m a positive, objective oriented marketing professional with over 15 years of international experience in translating consumer needs and preferences into new product solutions, adding value to consumers and customers worldwide. Lived, studied, worked in 3 different countries, enhancing my intercultural skills to bring different worlds together: innovation in tradition.

What does your company do in the canned wine business?

Ardagh Group is a pioneer in wine cans, having developed this specialist packaging in response to the needs of our customers in the wine and wine-based beverage sectors. We produce 187ml, 200ml and 250ml wine cans, and also offer top-to-bottom support for customers, from corrosivity testing with the wines themselves, through connecting customers with expert fillers or helping them set up their own line, to all the nitty-gritty of getting the perfect design and graphics on the final cans.

Why are you focused on canned wines?

Wine in cans is a growing sector both in Europe and worldwide, and since cans are convenient, portable, sustainable, quickly chilled etc., they have a lot of advantages for consumers – especially with the current trends toward outdoor socializing and casual drinking occasions. Because Ardagh has a long track record in the wine industry, and we are always innovating, it was a natural next step to offer the wine can as a packaging option.

What makes canned wines different from other canned products (eg. beer, soda) in your business?

It’s probably the fact that wine comes with such a specific tradition behind it, and with certain cultural expectations that are often really special for the country or region where the wine comes from. By being absolutely careful to make sure the wine can preserves the delicate and unique qualities of each wine, we want to honor all of that tradition, all of the culture inherent in these wonderful wine products, while also helping customers to expand their markets and welcome in a potentially new generation of wine drinkers. So canned wines are different because they’re the next step in a long, long tradition that has had a certain “look” for hundreds of years, and they’re uniquely innovative and exciting for that reason.

Why do you sponsor the International Canned Wine Competition?

We are delighted to sponsor the ICWC because we know just how excellent and exciting canned wines can be. It’s really great to celebrate them and see them formally recognized.

How do you see the future of canned wines?

Canned wines are a really exciting market. Particularly among, say, younger drinkers who may not necessarily have thought of wine as a casual-drinking choice before, we see them growing in popularity in quite a big way. Wine in cans really expands the possibilities for wine producers to reach new markets and offer a new and modern proposition which carries their great tradition into the future. 

With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?

Julien TOUBOUL, general manager / oenologist of la Maison Rigal since 2017

What is your background in wine?

I have started working in the wine industry as quality manager at La Chapelle d’Armentières for almost 2 years before my 6 year-experience as a wine buyer at Carrefour.

How would you describe your wine in a can?

A blend of two grape varieties from Gascony: Colombard with notes of citrus and exotic fruits (grapefruit, passion fruit) assembled with Sauvignon that brings complexity and elegance. A fruity and lively wine that you can take everywhere and drink on various occasions.’’

Why are you in the canned wines industry?  

According to wine intelligence, consumers are becoming more aware that transporting glass bottles comes with a carbon footprint, therefore, are seeking for more sustainable alternatives.  canned wine concept by Maison Rigal is driven by consumer demand for portability and convenience.

How do you see the future of canned wines?

Regarding the future for such packaging alternative for wine, it is definitely a bright one.  We were aiming for the English speaking countries in the beginning (UK, Canada) and our very first purchase order was for a Greek chain store.  Who would have imagined!  We are on out way of gaining new clients, those from New Wold wine producing countries who were rarely interested by our main production like the AOC Cahors red wine.

Our Pygat Colombard-Sauvignon is produced in Gascony from indigenous grape varieties of South-West France. Tasting notes along with wine & pairing suggestions complete the description. #onedose #sharingiscaring #pleasure #ohlala

With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?

Gil Frias, Commercial Director of JMV Group.

JMV Group is a Portuguese owned business group, with companies in Portugal, Spain, Canada, and USA. It has 7 companies developing 3 businesses (Wine Production, Coffee Production and Drinks Distribution).

JMV Group owns BORGES WINES, a company from 19^th century that produces GATAO WINE and other brands in several different wine demarcated regions of Portugal. The company exports 60% of its volume which rounds 8 million bottles per year. 

What is your background in wine?

I am working in the wine sector since 2000. Responsible for brand building and sales of wines, spirits, ports and sparkling initially in Portugal and Spain and, since last 10 years, in almost 70 different countries in which Borges Wines are being represented.

How would you describe your wine in a can?

It is a typical wine from the Northwest area of Portugal:  fresh, young, low alcohol (9 degrees), floral and citrus aromatic, slightly petillant and very easy-going. Goes perfectly with seafood, salads, light meats, and it is often connected with summer consumption.

Why are you in the canned wines industry?

Because canned wine is perfect for young consumers of wine:

–        Environmentally friendly

–        Non-complicated

–        Summer, pool, and beach consumption

We believe this format is perfect for our GATÃO WINE.

How do you see the future of canned wines?

We believe canned wines is a trend that will grow strongly next years, and it is not a short-term fashion.

Environmental concerns make people search for smarter and lighter formats of packaging.

The can is perfect for young wines that live of its fruitiness. The hermeticity of the can and the opaque surface is ideal for maintaining the fruity scents of wines.

The fine surface of the can is also ideal to get quickly the right serving temperature, with lower level of energy spending.

Do you wish to add something to this interview?

We want to send our congratulations to you for all the work you do in promoting this new concept of wine in can.

With whom do i have the pleasure of speaking?

Robert Hayk, CEO & Co-Founder of G&B Importers, was born in Armenia and raised in Soviet Russia. Having always dreamed of living in the United States, he immigrated in 1997.  Robert attended Georgetown University to study Government & Finance and then spent 15 years in the world of banking and investments, laying out the foundation for pursuing his true passion of owning his own business.

Nice to meet you Robert, what is your background in wine?

It was in the 90s, during his time working for the US Embassy in Bulgaria, that Robert developed his love and appreciation for Bulgaria, its agricultural industry, and wine in particular. There the seed for Grapes & Barley was planted, as Robert began contemplating the possibility of creating a company that could take advantage of the fertile soils of Bulgaria and the untapped potential of its wine industry and history. G&B is now the largest U.S. importer of Bulgarian wines, distributing its own brands and private labels created for retailers like Total Wine & More and Walmart in 35 states.

Your company produces the Rough Day Rosé in a can, how would you describe your wine in a can?

Rough Day Rosé is a delicately fruity rosé of 100% Gamza grape with aromas and flavors of strawberry, cherry, and rose petals. Gamza is a native grape from the northern region of Bulgaria, the Danube Plain. The rosé is dry, yet full of fruit and refreshing to drink straight out of the can. It’s easy to open and easy to enjoy.

All great charicaristics of the wines, but why are you in the canned wines industry?

There are so many reasons to get into canned wines. Cans are arguably the most sustainable beverage packaging option we have, since aluminum is already one of the most recycled materials. Not to mention the fact it’s thinner and weighs significantly less than glass, allowing us to ship more wine on fewer containers and trucks. It’s also less prone to breakage, preventing waste during transport and making it more portable for consumers as well. It’s also incredibly convenient. There’s no need for a cork screw or even a wine glass, so combine that with the lighter weight and you can take them almost anywhere. We also love how it’s sized for a single person, giving consumers the opportunity to experiment more and lower their consumption without a lot of waste. And lastly, from a business and marketing perspective, cans offer a lot of creativity for branding with the full 360 degree space, and because consumers can drink straight out of the can, anyone who drinks your wine is acting as a marketing vehicle, whether they’re drinking it on social media, at the beach, or at a concert.

How do you see the future of canned wines?

I definitely think cans are here to stay. The market for canned wines is growing rapidly in the US, but the technology still has some catching up to do. You’re already starting to see premium wines being put in cans, but I think we’ll start to see can liners that last longer, allowing the industry to expand further into more reds and age worthy wines in cans. I think once the technology is there, any stigmas against canned wines will easy be overpowered by all the benefits I mentioned.

Do you wish to add something to this interview?

We really believe cans have the power to help demystify and democratize wine. By reducing the level of snobbery often associated with wine, we can open up this beautiful product to so many more people. Wine has played such a large part throughout human history and culture––an accompaniment to celebrations and rituals, etc. Rather than feeling like cans are moving away from tradition, we actually feel like it helps bring us all back to the simple enjoyment of a delicious and natural product.

In these series of interviews I will interview many enthusiastic people who are involved in the canned wine business.

With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?

Andrea Holz, Head of Sales and Operations.

What is your background in wine?

I have started in the canned wine industry with RICH when I was 18 years old after finishing my secondary school specialising in Economics and Finance. I achieved my Business bachelor’s degree from Munich and New York City. Five and a half years later I am still going with a passion, thrive and determination greater than ever especially after we were able to expand with RICH into a number of new markets and continuing to expand our global footprint substantially. We are thrilled to be sponsoring the upcoming National Film Awards in London with our company. I am now responsible for leading the sales operations department with a focus on the UK market. My role includes overseeing all of the business activities and for driving sales efforts in order to enhance the business’ position with consumers and to solidify the position of the business in the canned wine market.

How would you describe your wine in a can?

Short but sweet? RICH is a luxury, made convenient. Our sustainable canned vegan secco provides luxurious flavour. A premium sparkling Italian wine delivers on taste as well as lifestyle making it the ideal go-to drink for our customers as the perfect treat at the end of the day or at your next event without compromising on quality.

Why are you in the canned wines industry?

I never really planned to be in the canned wine industry and what many people don’t know is that I am also working in Supply Chain for a Technology Company for the past two years but my heart does beat for RICH day and night! I cannot imagine not being part of the RICH family and continuing to disrupt the global canned wine market. And why I am in the canned wine industry in particular.. so a major advantage of cans is a reduced carbon footprint – aluminum has far higher recycling rates than glass, and the carbon effect of shipping lighter containers is significant. We at RICH thrive to produce and consume as sustainable as possible hence this is personally a very important aspect for me.

Another aspect is that I recognize huge potential for the canned wine industry as consumers are becoming more aware of how high the quality can remain in aluminum and the taste is even better than from a bottle in my opinion. As an example, the advantage of canned wine is faster chilling. This makes cans a good choice for picnics, concerts in the park and drinking by the pool, where glass is most likely prohibited.

How do you see the future of canned wines?

Well I can’t wait for the day when Prosecco in particular RICH Prosecco will overtake Champagne! (She said with a big smile on her face).

Over the past few years, there has been a rise in the popularity of Prosecco, especially canned secco. With years of record-breaking sales, it is believed that Prosecco is well on its way to overtaking champagne as the most popular choice of sparkling wine. While often compared to Champagne, Prosecco wines are made with a different set of grapes and an entirely different winemaking method. It is usually produced in a dry, brut style but its fruit flavours give it a sweeter flavour that makes it an easier drink.

When it comes to food pairing, RICH Prosecco is versatile and tastes well with a wide range of dishes from different cuisines. Not many wines can be served before and also work well with the main course, but RICH Prosecco does that perfectly. Because of its sweet aromatics and bubbles, the drink matches well with spicy dishes and Asian cuisine.

Once again, given the sustainability aspect, I think that canned secco is the way to go.

Drink RICH. The most delicious, vegan and sustainable premium secco in a can.  And thank you for being here today Dennis! It was a pleasure. Stay happy, healthy and sparkly.

In these series of interviews I will interview many enthusiastic people who are involved in the canned wine business.

To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?

Sana Khouja, Founder & CEO of Mindful Drinkers. 

What is your background in wine?

My love for the world of wine goes back a long way. For four years, I worked at Perinet, playing a pivotal role. It was there that I soaked up the wine culture and everything that surrounds it.
At the end of 2019, Mindful Drinkers was born and with it, Zeena. Zeena was created out of a desire to revolutionize the wine industry. Packaging wine in cans opens up possibilities to reach new audiences who can enjoy it free and on the go.

How would you describe your wine in a can?

Zeena is fully transparent in its ingredients and the production process, prioritizing the quality of the products, making a conscious selection of the grapes that originate the wines. We canned single varietals of the best Spanish varieties to educate the new consumer about the extraordinary national raw material, working under a firm commitment to R&D, working closely with the scientific experts of the Wine Technology Center VITEC. Our first choice has been the organically grown Grenache from Terra Alta (Catalonia), with which we have launched two young wines with vegan certification, devoid of additives and added sugars. They are Zeena Blanco, based on 2020 Garnacha Blanca, with an elegant and bright golden color, clean aroma with floral and citrus tones, dry and fresh in the mouth, with a light body; and Zeena Tinto, made from 2020 Garnacha Tinta, with purple color of medium brightness, clean aroma, with notes of strawberry and cherry, and a fresh palate with very subtle tannins. Zeena Rosé, also made from Garnacha Tinta, will soon be released, with a delicate salmon-pink tone, fruity and floral aroma, and lactic notes of red fruit.

Why are you in the canned wines industry?

Under the claim ‘a sip of freedom’, Zeena’s objective is not to fight against bottled wine but to push wine towards new ways and moments of consumption that the bottle cannot reach. Disruptive and global, with significant environmental awareness, it does not stick to specific targets but is based on attitudes and responds to new trends in the sector that point to substantial growth of young and organic wines in pick & go formats. Rebellious, young, engaging, honest and dreamy, Zeena is, therefore, a positive change that encourages consumers to overcome any complex so that they can enjoy wine wherever and whenever they want.  

How do you see the future of canned wines?

Wine in cans is the future; we intend to bring wine to new moments of consumption where it has no place now, breaking with certain stereotypes rooted in the wine culture. Zeena is not for the exclusive few.

Zeena is for everyone. It’s for the perfect imperfects.

In these series of interviews I will interview many enthusiastic people who are involved in the canned wine business.

With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?

Justin Dumitrescu and Chris Noll, Founders of STEL+MAR.

Our wine brand is the result of two friends and their families coming together to make crowd-pleasing and award-winning California wines. The name is derived from their kids, Stella and Marcus, and a brand name was born. Our combination of amazing wine and label art has resonated with consumers around the world.

What is your background in wine?

We’ve been in the alcohol industry for several years starting with cider, which is similar to wine. We are both big wine lovers and have always wanted to get into wine.

How would you DESCRIBE your wine in a can?

Better than what’s in most bottles at similar values! Our wine in can is single varietal and single ava. Low sugar (less than 3g / L). We let the terroir speak for the wine—nothing added to the wine.

Each year we personally select the best lots from each harvest; we focus on wines that are single varietal, unadultered and above all, showcase the winemaker and wine region. We enter each year both optimistic and opportunistic; paying obsessive attention to the weather, the rain, cool nights, and the delicate harvest. Growing up in Canada and being driven by the changing seasons, we see vineyards in a similar light with their distinct cycle of growth, harvest and rest.

Our red is a 100% Zinfandel from the magnificent Lodi AVA.  A classic Lodi Red Zinfandel! A robust wine packed with ripe fruit (cherries, cassis, and blackberries) yet enough acidity to give it lift. The rich berry flavours are highlighted with subtle hints of chocolate and vanilla that do not overpower. Finished with ripe tannins. This medium-bodied Zinfandel pairs beautifully with lamb, grilled beef, and pizza.

Our white is a 100% Chardonnay from Mendocino. This beautiful Unoaked Chardonnay offers aromas of Anjou pear, nectarine, and green apple. The palate shows ripe orchard fruit and citrus flavors that are light and lively, backed by bright acidity. Vanilla minerality with some lingering toffee tones. This fruit-forward Chardonnay pairs beautifully with fish, grilled chicken, and sushi.

‘The Zinfandel is absolutely mind blowing! Spicy, black and red fruit combined with acidity. The wine lingers long and it must be said that having a high quality red canned is a hard job, but at STEL+MAR they did it!’

‘The unoaked Chardonnay does not smells like an unoaked….the vanilla and caramel gives a small nod to wood aging, but that is not technically the case. It is a wine with a good body which can be enjoyed ‘stand-alone’ or combined with lot’s of food, due to its gastronomic character’

Why are you in the canned wines industry?

We think canned wine is the next major innovation in wine. Similar to twist-off tops, it will take a few years for people to get past their inherent biases.

How do you see the future of canned wines?

Bright! Millennials will be quick to adopt canned wine followed by the older demographics. There’s no good reason why canned wine won’t represent 10-20% of the total wine market in 5 to 10 years.
We also package wines in tetra pack boxes and light glass bottles. We aim to make crowd-pleasing wine at good prices with beautiful label art, all packaged in environmentally-friendly packaging options.

In these series of interviews I will interview many enthusiastic people who are involved in the canned wine business.

With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?

My name is Aimée Lasseigne New and I am the New York City Brand Ambassador for Lieb Cellars,which is a 22 hectares, certified sustainable, winery on the North Fork of Long Island, NY and also our second label Bridge Lane Wine which specializes in craft wine offered in bottles as well as alternative formats.

What is your background in wine?

I worked in fine wine retail for 14 years and have also served in restaurants.  I was selected twice to compete in the StarChefs Somm Slam at the International Chef Congress, have been a FICOFI guest sommelier, and my piece “The Struggle for Sweet” was selected as a placing entry for The Feiring Line Writing Mentorship Award. I am a graduate of Louisiana Scholars’ College, recognized as a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers, and a Diploma Candidate of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).  

As a freelance wine and spirits judge I have served on panels both locally and internationally in Paris, Beijing, Spain, Bulgaria, and Switzerland in addition to having visited vineyards across New York, Napa, Portugal, Bordeaux, Italy, and the Republic of Georgia.

How would you describe your wines in a can?

Bridge Lane is unique in that our wines are available in four sizes: 750ml bottles, 3L Bag-in-Box, 19.5L kegs, and 375ml cans.  We were the first in NY to offer wine in cans.

Our rosé is the most popular.  It is dry, known for its crisp acidity and is Cabernet Franc based with notes of strawberry, peach, and watermelon. Our Chardonnay is unoaked with notes of lemon, pear and green apple.

If you don’t like Chardonnay, you will now! Great fruitiness and wonderful layers of aromas and what an aftertaste!

We have a rather unique wine – White Merlot which is actually a white wine made from Merlot grapes with no skin contact. There are notes of ripe honeydew melon and lime with an apple peel finish.

First time I tasted a White Merlot wine. Absolutely amazing and unique in his kind. Tropical fruit and little berries arise from the glass and the can. Without a doubt a great wine with potential in a can!

Our Sauvignon Blanc has freshly cut grass and floral aromas and a citrusy finish.

This is really what you would expect from a Sauvignon Blanc from this part of the world. Crispy, juicy and great acidity!

Our Red Blend is mainly made of Merlot with notes of black cherry and spicy cedar and spends 6 months in Hungarian Oak.

A BDX blend as it should be with a lot of ‘over sea’ freshness, which referring to the cooling ocean influence preserves the fresh acidity in the wine.The wine has got depth and notes of dark fruit and a balance between acidity and fruitiness. This is an example of a great red wine in a can!

We do have a 6th Bridge Lane wine, and it is available only in cans – our Bridge Lane Bubbles which was first released in 2020.  It is mostly made of Riesling with notes of tangerine, honey, and jasmine.  Unlike our other wines which are dry this wine has a little residual sugar to balance the zippy Riesling.

Why are you in the canned wines industry?

Our General Manager, Ami Opisso discussed this with me recently.  They had talked about cans in 2014 when they rebranded Bridge Lane and launched boxes and kegs because it was logical to include cans as a part of our alternative format focus, and as she said, “because we wanted to bring them to the beach” but she quickly realized that cans were going to require a lot more research and development than the other formats.  There were multiple barriers to entry.

A purchase of an entire truckload of cans from Ball Corp. was necessary, the shrink-sleeve process would occur in the Midwest, and there were no mobile canners in the Northeast who had ever canned wine before. 

She said it took her and Russell Hearn (our winemaker) two years to figure out the logistics.  Our rosé was introduced in a can in 2017 as a small batch to make sure it was viable, and our other wines followed in 2018.

How do you see the future of canned wines?

I see only increased growth potential.  I don’t have the exact figures in front of me, but the percentages of canned wine sales are constantly increasing at a rapid pace and are even starting to be explored in unexpected markets such as India.   

Yet in the US, still wines in cans are currently less than 1% of sales. This has room for improvement here and also globally as trends skew towards interests in packaging of products that are better on the environment and choosing quality over quantity as individual canned servings of premium wines may offer.

Do you wish to add something to this interview?

Yes, I appreciate that The Wine Can Guy focuses on global matchmaking in the premium canned wine category.  I thank you for sharing your vision and for having me here.  Our industry is truly lucky to have you as an energetic ally.