If I were a winery owner in Niagara, I would tip my hat to the young upstart Between the Lines winery and get on board with their latest project — sparkling wine in a can.
I’m not joking here, it’s a brilliant idea and a game changer for marketing VQA wine in Ontario and beyond.
It just makes so much sense.
Of course, it’s not new in the world of wine; think Francis Ford Coppola’s Sparkling Sofia from California, one of the first in North America to put sparkling wine in a can, and followed recently by Infinite Monkey Theorem and Presto Sparkling. And then there’s the Bling Sparkling Wine from the Okanagan Valley’s The View that was released a couple of years ago.
But Between the Lines Origin Sparkling Wine is the first in Ontario (as far as I can ascertain) and it’s a breath of fresh air for the category.
Who would this can of happiness appeal to? Well, anyone who has a pool, a dock, a backyard, a front porch or a back porch.
And because the cans are conveniently packaged in 250 mL cans, enough for a large single-serving or for a quick glass of sparkling for two, this works year-round for any occasion that calls for anything less than a full bottle of bubbly.
As noted above, it’s simply brilliant.
Origin was released at the start of the year and has quickly turned heads in Niagara. It was one of the brightest stars at the Niagara Icewine Gala, judging by Instagram and Facebook posts, last Friday in Niagara Falls and by Saturday, a steady stream of customers was lining up at Between the Lines Winery, 991 Four Mile Creek Rd. in Niagara-on-the-Lake to get their hands on a four-pack or more.
“Family dynamics have changed,” Greg Wertsch, one of the four partners in Genesis Wine Group, the operation behind Origin, told Niagara This Week. “There aren’t always large groups getting together to celebrate. Sometimes, it’s just small groups and there’s a hesitation to open a bottle of sparkling wine because if you don’t finish it all, it goes flat. This solves that problem.”
Wertsch and his brother Yannick own Between the Lines Winery where Origin is canned. He told Niagara This Week he came up with the idea when considering new ways to enjoy wine. The can is lined with a food-safe lining and, much like soda pop, keeps the bubbles intact as long as it’s sealed. Watch a video below but please note, I made the video before I researched if it was indeed the first sparkling wine in a can in Canada.
DSC_6215 from Rick VanSickle on Vimeo.
And, to be perfectly honest, it’s damn tasty. Here is my review.
Origin Aromatic Sparkling Wine ($7 for 250 mL, winery only, 87 points) — This sparkling wine carries the VQA stamp of approval and is made with 100% Vidal with a shot of Vidal icewine and produced using the charmat method for bubbles. The nose shows left lemon, apple, biscuit, toast and fresh tropical fruit notes. It has a gentle bubble in the glass and on the palate, with a fruity, slightly sweet taste, but nicely balanced out by freshening acidity. In short, it’s a fun, tasty and enjoyable sparkling wine in innovative packaging that will be embraced by consumers. And that’s a very good thing.
Niagara wines released at Vintages Saturday
There is a tiny release of Niagara wines at Vintages this Saturday (Jan. 23). I have not tasted or reviewed any of these, but here’s what will be available:
- Flat Rock Cellars Twisted White 2013 ($17)
- Strewn Terroir Riesling 2013 ($18)
- Sue-Ann Staff Baco Noir 2014 ($18)
- Tawse Sketches Cabernet-Merlot 2012 ($21)
I’m really looking forward to trying this – I think fun packaging is a great way to market, especially if what’s in the can is good.
My wife and I have got a chance to try ORIGIN, and we simply love it!
We are social wine drinkers and having a small (250ml ) can available for occasional sip makes sense. No need to open a full bottle, when one can enjoy just a glass…or two -:)
And transporting it in a car – you’ll never be bothered by the fear of having an opened alcoholic beverage in your car!
Wonderful crisp and clean product of Ontario wineries!