We tried it: The new Swiss canned wine is good for it

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While glass bottles dominate the wine packaging market, alternative options such as bag-in-box or PET bottles are becoming increasingly popular in some countries. Fermented grape juice, such as Prosecco, has long been sold in aluminum cans. When they see such packaging, most people think of energy drinks rather than fine Swiss wine.

Young start-up Wiihaa wants to change that, and has recently launched three Swiss wines in aluminum cans: a white wine made from the Charmont grape variety and an Oeil de Perdrix from western Switzerland, as well as a maturing Pinot noir from Schaffhausen. Oak barrels. We tasted the wines and spoke with Florian Ehrler (31) the founder of Wiihaa.

Conventional aluminum cans unsuitable for wine

Ehrler has nothing against glass bottles: “Of course I enjoy bottled wine with my wife and Wiihaa co-founder Marina (34). We want to offer an additional option,” Ehrler tells Blick.

Conventional aluminum cans cannot be filled with wine, as tartaric acid will react with the metal surface. Ehrler’s aluminum cans have a special interior coating to best preserve the wine, ensuring flavor and quality. “We brought the capital from private sources,” Ehrler said when asked how the young couple financed their venture.

The wine selection took some time: «The selection took about six months. It’s backed by numerous winery visits, discussions, tasting tours and wine analysis.» In principle, his ideas were well received by the viticulturalists they visited. They should also benefit from canned wine: “We want to give Swiss wine a new boost and make it known, popular and accessible to a wider clientele.”

This is how canned wines perform

Vaud Charmont 2020 is a blend of Chardonnay and Chasselas varieties. The scent reveals aromas of white peach, pear, yellow apple and a hint of chamomile. A note of honey reveals that this white wine is a bit old.

Although the palate seems concentrated, its acidity is a bit low, which reduces freshness. Shining orange-pink, Oeil de Perdrix 2021 can also be made with more acidity and has a light metallic note in its finish.

The 2020 Schaffhausen Pinot Noir Barrique may make up for the somewhat restrained start of Wiihaa canned wines. Vibrant aromas of ripe red cherries, plums and cedar pour out of the rim of the can. This Pinot is a real treat on the palate and impresses with its intensity and excitement. Although the wine is relatively woody, it looks balanced, friendly and elegant.

Whether on a hike, on a train or at a festival: drinks in metal cans are practical and easy to open. The visually appealing 2.5 deciliter Wiihaa boxes also make a good figure in the home refrigerator. But Ehrler doesn’t want to reveal how many boxes the startup has filled so far.

Source : Blick