Wine, a beverage where maintaining flavor is of utmost importance, has traditionally been dominated by bottles. However, bottles are among the worst containers for preserving consistent flavor. Traditionally corked bottle result in up to 5% of wine bottles being spoiled by cork taint, which has led the wine industry to shift towards metal screw tops, with over 30% of wine now being sold in screw-top bottles.1 While screw tops solve the cork taint problem and add resealability, they do not address issues like UV degradation, and their airtight seal is strong but not perfect.

Enter Resealable Cans

Resealable cans offer a comprehensive solution. Not only do they eliminate cork taint and offer resealability, but they also provide a fully opaque container that prevents UV degradation and offers a hermetic seal to prevent any oxygen intrusion. So why are winemakers hesitant to adopt cans?

The Challenge of Hydrogen Sulfide in Canned Wine

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production in wine is natural, but its interaction with aluminum intensifies this problem. When wine contacts aluminum, especially common in traditional cans, it can accelerate H2S production, leading to undesirable 'rotten egg' aromas. This issue is a major hurdle for vintners looking to expand into the canned wine market, as maintaining flavor integrity is paramount.

The Click Cap's Innovative Solution

The click cap introduces a groundbreaking solution with its unique design featuring a polypropylene foil barrier. This barrier effectively eliminates high-risk metal exposure points such as the rivet, panel walls, and countersink prevalent in traditional can designs. By doing so, the click cap drastically reduces the interaction between the wine and any metal, thus minimizing conditions that lead to increased H2S production.

Benefits of Canned Wine

Flavor Preservation: The polypropylene foil acts as an inert barrier, preventing the wine from contacting aluminum, thereby maintaining the original flavor and aroma profiles.

Quality Consistency: With reduced risk of H2S contamination and no cork taint, winemakers can ensure consistent quality across their canned products, enhancing consumer trust and satisfaction.

Market Expansion: The click cap allows vintners to tap into the growing market of canned beverages without compromising their product's quality, opening up new opportunities for innovation and revenue.

Convenience: Resealable cans eliminate transportation difficulties, large serving sizes, and the hassle of empty bottles, making wine more accessible for everyday occasions.

Market Impact and Consumer Response

Since the introduction of the click cap in the wine industry, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Winemakers testing this technology report significant improvements in the stability and quality of their canned wine products. Consumers appreciate the convenience of canned wine that retains the sophisticated flavors and aromas expected from bottled wine.

Conclusion

The click cap is proving to be a pivotal innovation in the wine industry. By addressing the hydrogen sulfide issue with its advanced polypropylene foil barrier, it has enhanced the viability of canned wine and set a new standard for packaging technologies. As winemakers increasingly value quality over tradition, a shift already evidenced by the rise of metal screw caps, the rise of canned wine is both inevitable and exciting. This promises a new era where quality is no longer compromised by tradition.

1. Jenssen, M. D. and J. (2023, February 28). Why it’s time for fine wine to ditch the Cork and embrace screw caps. Robb Report. https://robbreport.com/food-drink/wine/screw-cap-fine-wine-ditch-cork-1234812520/