Stella Pinot Grigio – Wine in a Can

The idea of wine in a can has intrigued me for some time. I’ve had a few and I’m seeing more and more wine sold in this format. I don’t know why it intrigues me. I guess I like the casual approach it suggests. I also like the light weight and easy portability of the packaging. And I like the size of the can — enabling me to easily open a smaller portion versus a full bottle.

Stella is a pinot grigio from Sicily. Although I tasted it from a can, it is also available in traditional bottle format. The cans sell in four packs with a suggested retail price of $13. The cans each hold 250ml, so the four pack is a full liter — 33% more than a traditional bottle.

Now you likely wouldn’t expect an elegant, high-end wine from a can. I know I certainly don’t. And you might even have a preconceived expectation that wine from a can would be no good. But I was pleasantly surprised by this wine.

The wine was fermented in all stainless steel and with a short fermentation process. The result is a fresh, bright and fruity wine.

The aromas are soft on this wine, but it reveals some pear, peach, citrus and floral aromas. Vibrant and slightly tart peach, lemon and pear flavors give the wine a nice palate. It’s bright and refreshing. Citrus lingers on the finish, along with a slight salinity. The mouthfeel is good but nothing extraordinary. Overall it’s a nice wine.

Wine: Stella, Pinot Grigio
Varieties: Pinot grigio
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 11.5%
Rating: 86
Price: $13.00 for a four-pack of cans (1 liter total)
Disclosure: This wine was provided as a media sample.