Wine Reviews

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The “unofficial” end of summer is upon us as the Labor Day weekend approaches, but for those of us here in Southern California or other warmer climates, we still have a few warm months to go.  Either way, as the beach days are fewer and turn into tailgating at football games, outdoor concerts, and bonfires with friends - you’ll need the perfect beverage to accompany the festivities.  It seems like everywhere you go, it appears canned wine is popping up more frequently. No doubt these cans are stylish, convenient, and easy to transport. They’re definitely gaining popularity, but does it have the same quality as bottled wine? More importantly - is it good?! As more and more wines ditch the bulky bottle for a smooth, slender can - the choices can be overwhelming. Luckily Tipping Bottles is here to guide you into the world of canned wine and ensure your taste buds will thank you!

As your Tipping Bottles Guardian "Wine" Angels, we sampled 12 different canned wines to see if the quality remains the same.  Our sample included a variety of white, red, rosé, and sparkling wines.  Chances are you can find a wide selection of canned wine at your local grocery store or wine retailer. We were amazed by the quantity to choose from and picked cans we were drawn to by their design or type of wine. 

During our period drinking these wines, we sampled each directly from the can and poured half into a wine glass. Our intent was to determine if the aluminum altered the flavor of the wine. To our surprise it didn’t affect the wine in the least bit. Directly from the can or poured into a wine glass the aroma and flavor wasn’t impacted. For some of the wines, we felt the aluminum almost added a unique layer or quality – similar to a copper mug paired with a Moscow Mule.

A huge benefit of canned wine is the ease and convenience to pack and bring them along to any event. Just toss the reds into a tote and the whites/sparkling into a cooler - and go! No need to worry about packing glasses or a corkscrew. Another advantage is the variety you can create for your gatherings. Since each can is individual (while at least in our opinion), you can purchase a wide assortment based on everyone’s personal preference. For those looking to step out of their wine comfort zone, a canned wine is the perfect option.  It provides the opportunity to sample a new wine at a lower price point than a bottle.  Should you not prefer the wine – a bottle doesn’t go to waste. (Just the thought brings tears to our eyes.)

We had the opportunity to sample the following 12 wines:

·  Underwood - Pinot Noir 

·  Tangent - Sauvignon Blanc

·  Porch Pounder - Red Wine

·  Tiamo - Red Wine

·  Essentially Geared Wine Co. - Bubbles

·  Nomadica - Sparkling White

·  House Wine - Limited Edition Rosé Bubbles

·  Eufloria - Aromatic White Wine

·  Nuclear Red California – Red Table Wine

·  Joe to Go – Pinot Gris

·  Underwood – Pinot Gris

·  Dark Horse – Pinot Grigio

We honestly enjoyed all of these wines and encourage everyone to give them a try.  However, of these 12 wines, our top picks were:

House Wine – Limited Edition Rosé Bubbles: Aromas of berries with a crisp citrus flavor. The bubbles make this wine refreshing and fun.

Underwood – Pinot Noir: Flavors of black cherry, currant, and a hint of spice.

Nomadica – Sparkling White: Blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. Flavors of pineapple and mango with refreshing bubbles.

Dark Horse – Pinot Grigio: Clean, crisp and creamy fruit flavor. 

Joe to Go – Pinot Gris: Tropical fruit flavors with the perfect amount of acidity and crispness. 

Eufloria – Aromatic White Wine: Blend of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat, and Gewurztraminer resulting in crisp acidity with floral notes.

Porch Pounder – Red Wine: This wine has a Pinot Noir base and full of berry flavor. Hint – chill slightly for maximum enjoyment. 

Cheers to being able to enjoy wine in almost any setting, along with opening your mind and mouth to canned wine! We hope you’ll continue to make memories one bottle...or can...at a time! And don’t worry, even if you tip cans – you’ll still be part of the Tipping Bottles family. We want to hear from you if you’ve tried any of these wines or any other canned wines. Submit your comments on our website, Instagram @tippingbottles or on Twitter @tippingbottles.

Have a safe and wonderful holiday! Please drink responsibly and if you don’t have a designated driver – use Uber or Lyft. 

The official start of summer is upon us as the days are getting warmer and longer. If you’re like us, one of the first things that comes to mind is Rosé. It's the perfect compliment to brunch, an afternoon with friends, relaxing at the beach, or an evening out.  Whether you prefer it sweet, dry, still, or sparkling - rosé should be part of your reliable wine selection.

Rosé continues to grow in popularity, especially this time of year – but many don’t know exactly how it’s made.  Obviously white grapes become white wine and red grapes become red wine – it’s safe to say pink grapes become rosé. Duh! If only it were that easy – but if you ever do come across pink grapes be sure to let us know.

Rosé obtains the various shades of pink through the contact with the skin of red grapes. During this very short soaking process the color from the skin bleeds into the grape juice. Once the desired color is achieved, the skins are removed.

We’ve had the opportunity to try many different varieties of Rosé recently and we’ve chosen a few from the following winemakers and/or wineries to share with you. 

Happy Canyon Vineyard – 2016 Chukker Róse

This róse blend is our top pick! Which is why we purchased multiple magnum bottles when it was released. It is a still crisp róse with hints of strawberry. Absolutely delightful for enjoyment while watching a polo match at Piocho Ranch.

Robert Renzoni Vineyards – 2016 Lyric Rosé 

This rosé surprised us, as the darker color led us to believe it was going to be sweeter. To our pleasure, this was dry with minerals, strawberry and hints of orange. This was completely refreshing with a clean finish.

Locations Wines – French Rosé

This French Rosé is all Grenache. Aromas of floral gardenias and on the palate hints of peaches and cantaloupe. Perfection while sitting outside in the sun – or any time you want a tasty rosé.

Alma Rosa Winery – 2017 Pinot Noir Vin Gris

This still rosé has flavors of strawberry and a hint of citrus. The crisp, smooth finish made this wine deliciously enjoyable for a weekend afternoon outside.  

Alma Rosa Winery – 2014 Brut Rosé

This sparkling rosé has flavors of strawberry, peach, citrus, and a slight hint of apple. The perfect amount of bubbles made this dry rosé one of our favorites. 

These five different rosé options are only a drop in the barrel of the choices on the market. No matter which you plan to enjoy, ensure it is the correct temperature when serving. Rosé should be served between 50-60 degrees, which make it refreshing on a warm day.

Let us know your favorite rosé by submitting your comment on our website or on Twitter @tippingbottles. You can also get additional information on these wineries and their expansive wine selections on our website.