Wine in cans is a relatively recent innovation, quietly carving out a niche.
The 250ml format is so useful for "just a couple of glasses", removing concerns over wine in the bottle losing freshness, and so handy for a picnic and outdoor events. Villa Maria has had great success in the UK with its PB can range, now available here.
Cask are what is old is new again, the 2-litre format an opportunity to showcase bottle-quality wine at a fair price, emphasising ease and no wastage, the Dicey brothers being at the forefront.
Villa Maria Private Bin Hawke’s Bay Sparkling Rosé
Rating Very Good
Appealing nose,
strawberry, white
flowers, lychee, vanilla
bean, a bready/yeasty
note in the
background. More in
the frizzante lightly
fizzy mode with a
refreshing prickle on
the tongue.
Strawberry, currants,
the sweet fruit lifted by
a tangy counterpoint,
picking up sherbet/
fruit pastille notes as it
opens. A touch soft as
it warmed up,
definitely at its best served cool.
Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Rating Very Good
Classically pungent
nose of cut grass and
gooseberry, wisps of
fruit jube and
passionfruit follow,
fragrance building. A
touch of residual
sugar balances the
tangy quality, some
peach/nectarine and
fruit pastille evident
now with cut grass
notes a core to the
wine. Generosity of
flavour, a whisper
sweeter than I prefer, but there’s good
ingredient for easy enjoyment.
Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Pinot Gris
Rating Good to Very Good
Subtly aromatic at
first offering touches
of quince and
stonefruit, opening
up more with air, not
hugely complex but
reliably honest
drinking. Texture a
key here with
creamy roundness.
Honeyed, lightly
spiced fruits, this is
soft and off-dry and
is on the money to
open and enjoy
now.
2025 Dice by Dicey Central Otago Rosé
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Watermelon
dusted with
icing sugar,
hints of plum,
savoury and
stony
minerality,
subtlety yet
rather attractive.
A deeper
register to this,
ripe yet dry,
spice notes as it
opens, a little more serious rather than a
fruit bomb. Fresh, crisp, engaging, nicely
balanced and good length. With air a
note akin to fresh tobacco, nicely zesty
on the close. This works well.
2025 Dice by Dicey Central Otago Chardonnay
Rating Very Good
The nose is
quite shy,
hints of nuts
and tropical
fruits, air
brings a little
peach and
citrus into
play. A game
of two halves
as the palate
ramps up the
volume,
sweet fruit unimpeded by oak to let the
fruit shine, peach notes with a citrus
lift, bright acidity giving this freshness.
One to enjoy in its youth.
2023 Dice by Dicey Central Otago Pinot Noir
Rating Excellent
The nose
leaps out of
the glass, oak
char initially,
spice and
cherry, nicely
aromatic with
a little wild
herb accent,
nicely done
and
demonstrably
Central. Clear
generosity on the palate, continuing the
journey begun by the nose with good
flavour depth and excellent length.
Typifies the convenience and lack of
wastage in this format.
