Published on October 15th, 2024.

The Case for Canned Wine

Why Canned Wine Is the Perfect Fit for Modern Venues

Over the past few years, a quiet yet significant revolution has been transforming the wine industry. What was once seen as a niche product has now become a mainstream movement, with canned wines gaining popularity among both consumers and venues alike. If your venue hasn’t yet embraced this shift, now is the ideal moment to get on board with this promising and sustainable innovation. Canned wines not only align with the growing demand for eco-friendly options but also offer a modern and convenient alternative that appeals to a wide range of customers. It’s time to explore the benefits of stocking canned wines and join the forefront of this exciting evolution in the world of wine.

Canned Wine Is a Sustainable Choice

For centuries, the 750ml glass bottle has been the standard container for wine—elegant, timeless, and ideal for ageing. However, glass bottles come with a significant environmental cost, which is becoming increasingly hard to ignore, especially in the UK, where sustainability is a growing priority.

In fact, a study found that glass bottles contribute nearly 29% of the wine industry’s carbon footprint, and that doesn’t even include the emissions generated during transport, where the heavy weight of glass pushes carbon emissions even higher. The production process is also energy-intensive, with glass bottles requiring extremely high temperatures in their creation, further adding to their environmental impact.

While glass is technically recyclable, the reality is stark: in the UK, only about 67% of glass is recycled, which, while better than some places, still pales in comparison to the 72% recycling rate of aluminium cans. This means that a significant portion of glass bottles ends up in landfills, adding to the UK’s growing waste problem.

For UK bar owners and consumers who are increasingly eco-conscious, offering more sustainable packaging options is becoming essential. By stocking canned wine, your bar can make a significant contribution to reducing its environmental footprint. Aluminium cans are lighter, more efficient to transport, and boast higher recycling rates, making them a more sustainable choice.

Embracing canned wine not only aligns your business with the UK’s strong and growing commitment to sustainability but also attracts a new generation of wine drinkers who value eco-friendly practices.

Benefits of Canned Wine for You

Convenience and Practicality

Canned wine offers unparalleled convenience compared to traditional glass bottles. In the bustling environment of UK bars, restaurants, and pubs, the lightweight, non-breakable nature of cans makes them ideal for busy service. They stack efficiently, eliminating the need for corkscrews or glassware, and they chill faster, making them perfect for quick, on-the-go service. No more dealing with the hassle of opening an entire bottle of wine, which often leads to wastage or stale leftovers. With cans, you can serve exactly what’s needed, minimising waste and ensuring freshness.

Reducing Waste

In the UK, it’s estimated that 50 million litres of wine—equivalent to £470 million—are wasted annually. Much of this waste stems from improper storage of opened bottles. Canned wine offers a solution with its single-serving format, drastically reducing the risk of wastage and contributing to greater economic and environmental sustainability. By adopting canned wine, UK venues can help address this issue and align with growing sustainability efforts.

Meeting the Demands of Modern Consumers

The ‘grab-and-go’ trend has made canned wine increasingly popular, especially among millennials who are drinking wine in higher numbers than ever before. This demographic is known for its openness to innovation and change, and they are driving trends in the wine industry. The practicality of cans appeals to their fast-paced lifestyles and desire for convenience, making it a smart choice for venues looking to attract and retain this key consumer group.

Superior Storage and Quality Preservation

Canned wine offers superior protection against light exposure, which can spoil wine and create undesirable “wine faults.” Unlike glass bottles, which allow light to affect the wine, cans are light-proof, ensuring that the wine remains fresh and free from light-induced defects. This makes cans a more reliable option for preserving the quality of wine during storage and transport.

Enhanced Shelf Life and Freshness

Canned wine has a shelf life of up to one year and is designed to be gas-tight, preventing oxygen ingress and CO₂ loss. This ensures that the wine remains in optimal condition until it’s opened. For venues, this means fewer concerns about the wine going off and more assurance that every glass served is of high quality.