The irony of driving a completely loaded 2022 Bentley Flying Spur hybrid to Boonville for the Canned Wine Competitors was not misplaced on anyone.
After we arrived on the Mendocino County Fairgrounds, everybody wished to scent the leather-based inside, an aroma not unusual to the best cabs and merlots cash can purchase. Vehicles like this make you need to splurge.
However splurging isn’t needed. Because the fourth annual Canned Wine Competitors proved, the sensation of luxurious might be had in a well-made wine in a well-dressed can. No cork, no sediment, no drips, no fuss. Pop the tab and revel in. No marvel cans are the quickest rising a part of the wine market.
However which of them are greatest? Winners have been introduced in 5 classes from amongst 300 canned wines from all around the world, together with Chile, South Africa, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Colorado, Japan, New York and California:
White wine—Maker Wines 2021 chardonnay, Handley Cellars, Anderson Valley, CA
Rosé—Djuce Wines 2021 Rosé, Famille Chaudiére, Provence, France
Crimson wine—Joiy 2018 The Gryphon Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand
Glowing wine—The OBC Wine Undertaking Rosé with Bubbles, American
Spritzer—Riot Wine Co. Rose Spritz, South Australia
That first winner ought to get your consideration. Handley Cellars out of Anderson Valley is celebrating its fortieth anniversary this yr. Winemaker Milla Handley was the primary lady to construct her personal vineyard model in California. The identify Renault & Handley is perhaps acquainted, as Milla’s dad Raymond Handley was a scion of actual property within the heyday of Silicon Valley.
Since Milla’s passing, the vineyard has been run by her daughter Lulu. She embraced the idea of cans when the ladies of Maker Wines got here to her and recommended a partnership. Maker was born of a Stanford Enterprise College undertaking. They assist small producers put good wine in great-looking cans that inform a narrative.
The Maker gals—Sarah Hoffman, Kendra Kawala and Zoe Victor—did their homework to make sure they have been utilizing one of the best cans (250ml, coated) and one of the best science, plus they've their very own canning line, which they ship on to the person wineries.
The profitable Handley cellars chardonnay was the primary of this varietal that Maker has canned. They searched far and broad for simply the suitable expression of this queen of white wines and have been rewarded mightily. The Maker Handley pinot noir additionally scored gold on the Boonville competitors, the place a wine both will get a gold or nothing. Rejection is a harsh mistress: Nonetheless, 30% of the wines earned gold, a bit above common.
As with vehicles, wine is essentially an emotional play. Maker makes it simple to pattern a number of chapters of many various tales: every can is one-third of a bottle, so that you’re not making a giant dedication. They provide all the pieces from glowing sauvignon blanc to merlot to zinfandel.
Particularly beneficial are Nicole Walsh’s glowing Riesling and cabernet Pfeffer (she’s made Bonny Doon wines for twenty years), the Verdelho from Wander-Should Wines and the Proxy grenache blanc from Michael Michaud’s winery in Chalone. Michaud used to have a tasting room in Saratoga.
Maker’s can membership is an effective way to pattern the wares. A six-pack will simply match within the Flying Spur’s glove field. Like electrical automobiles, canned wines are inevitable. Would possibly as nicely embrace each ideas.