To create a wine list that’s one-of-a-kind, you should not be afraid of experimentation. In this guide, we will look into different varieties of wine we have not discussed before but are worth exploring.
Dive with us into the world of unique wines and the ways they will enrich both your beverage program and the customer experience of your restaurant guests!
Canned Wine: Convenience Over Tradition
Doing what’s well-known is not always good. Breaking the tradition to improve other aspects of the hospitality industry can be challenging. However, you can reap a lot of benefits if you try something different as canned wine.
Origins of Canned Wine
You may be familiar with the history of red wine, history of white wine, and history of rose. But what about the history of unique wines like canned wine?
Wine is typically aged in barrels and stored in wine bottles that are specially made to keep the unique flavor of the wine for as long as possible. But as the times started to change, people started looking for more convenient alternatives.
This is how the idea for wine in cans was born. Back in 1936, some US wineries tried to put wine in a can but their efforts were failing. The wine did not do well inside the cans, making it impossible to sell such a product. At that time, beer brands managed to package their production in cans.
It took many years for winemakers to perfect the canning process for wine and it was finally patented in the early 2000s. They resolved the canning issue by looking at things from different perspectives and perfecting the wine, the cans, and their lining, as well as the pouring process.
Canned Wine Is Great for Restaurants Too
You can offer all kinds of traditional and unique wines to elevate the experience in your restaurant. Here’s why it’s a good idea to make canned wine part of your offers:
- Convenience - The biggest benefit of canned wine is the convenience it offers. It’s a lot easier to open, as well as easier to store in temperature-controlled storage. The compact size of the cans makes it easier to stock up on larger quantities but when your bar staff and waiters need to handle it, it will be easier on them.
- Portion Control - Canned wine helps with portion control. It also helps reduce waste. That’s not only great for restaurants but for hotel minibars, country club weddings, and other events, as well.
- Faster Service - Another benefit of offering canned wine is that it’s easier to serve, therefore, it will get to the customer faster.
- Chilling Efficiency - Because of its smaller volume, canned wine can be chilled faster. The can itself helps in that regard, as well. That’s something many businesses can benefit from, especially hotels and cruise ships offering an all-inclusive drinks package.
- Eco-Friendly Packaging - Canned wine is a more eco-friendly alternative. That’s because aluminum cans are easier to recycle than glass bottles and producing them leaves a lower carbon footprint. Glass bottles require more energy to produce, transport, and recycle.
- Protection of Light and Oxygen - Cans effectively protect wine both from oxygen and light. If the wine is not protected, it will lose its flavor and qualities and won’t be enjoyable to drink.
- Reduced Risked of Breakage - Cans are not as easy to break as glass wine bottles, so you won’t have to worry about losing any quantities due to breakage.
Rise of Low-Alcohol Wines: Embracing Lighter Options
In this day and age, restaurant owners must consider more options when building a wine list. From canned wine and low-alcoholic wines to CBD wines and more. Each variety has its benefits to bring and will help you stay ahead of the curve.
What Is Low-Alcohol Wine?
Wines with ABV (alcohol per volume) less than 11% are considered low-alcoholic.
What Makes Low-Alcohol Wines Different?
Wines can have ABV anywhere between 5% and 23%. On average, the alcohol content is 12%. Regular wines have ABV above 12% while low-alcoholic wines have an ABV of around 11%.
Are Non-Alcoholic Wines Similar to Low-Alcoholic Wines?
Non-alcoholic wines have 0% ABV. Another category of wines called de-alcoholized wines has 5% ABV.
As you can see, there is a wide variety of different wines. This means that restaurants, hotels, country clubs, and even cruise ships with large beverage programs need to offer a wider range.
Why Should Restaurants Serve Low-Alcohol Wines?
The following list will help you decide whether or not low-alcohol wines are worth adding to your inventory of unique wines.
- Offering a Wider Range of Wines - Low-alcohol wines will appeal more to some groups of customers than other wines would. This will make your business one that caters to a wider range of people.
- Health-Consciousness - People, in general, are becoming more health-conscious in the last few years. Some count calories in wine, while others are looking for certified gluten-free wines. Low-alcohol wines are also on the healthier side, so you should consider stocking up on them, too.
- Versatility in Food Pairings - When there are different drink options, customers can enjoy various drinks and food pairings. Low-alcohol wines can be paired with seafood dishes, chicken and lamb dishes, steak dinners, and many more.
- Brunch-Appropriate Drinks - Adding low-alcohol wines to your brunch menu will bring more people to your restaurant, as many people love a nice glass of wine with their meal.
- Wine Flights and Tastings - Feature low-alcohol wines in wine-tasting flights and wine-tasting parties. They will balance things out with their low-alcoholic content and customers will be able to enjoy a larger variety of wines without overconsuming alcohol.
- Reduced Risk of Overdrinking - When the wine is low in alcohol, the chances of people having too much and experiencing a bad hangover the next day are reduced.
Exotic Wine Varietals: Exploring Unfamiliar Terroirs
You can serve anything you want - from wine by the glass to bottled wine from all over the world. On our website, we have discussed cheap wines, private label wines, non-alcoholic wines, vegan wines, and so many more!
Now, let’s dive into the world of unique wines, and exotic wine varietals!
What Is a Wine Varietal?
Varietal, when we are talking about wine, is a term that refers to the type of grape. Wine can be either a single varietal or a blend of different kinds.
Which Wine Varietals Are Most Common?
Certain grape types are typically used on their own, while other varieties are put into blends. The single-varietal wines that have gained the most popularity are pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, zinfandel, and pinot gris.
How Can You Tell If a Wine Is Single-Varietal?
Wines come from two different categories - Old World and New World wines. The Old World wines usually have a list of regions on their label or an appellation. The regions are typically Bourgogne or Châteauneuf-du Pape.
Wines from Bourgogne are probably single-varietal wines of pinot noir. The red wines from Châteauneuf-du Pape are blends of syrah, cinsault, mourvèdre, grenache, and maybe a few other varieties. Keep in mind that all the grape types may not be listed on the label.
New World wine, on the other hand, will most likely have the varietal listed on the front of the label - chenin blanc, chardonnay, or zinfandel. In case it’s a blend of different varieties, the name of the wine will probably be given by the winemaker.
What Are Exotic Wine Varietals?
Now that we’ve discussed wine varietals and blends, it’s time to talk about unique wines. Exotic wines are made of not-so-popular grape varieties. Let’s see what wine enthusiasts would love to see at your restaurant:
1. Tannat
2. Albariño
3. Vermentino
4. Grüner Veltliner
5. Aglianico
6. Carménère
7. Xinomavro
8. Saperavi
9. Nero d'Avola
10. Mencía
CBD Wine: Merging Restaurant Drinks and Wellness Trends
We have talked about CBD coffee and tea, CBD cocktails, and the health benefits of CBD drinks in previous articles. We frequently talk about different varieties of wine. Now, let’s combine the two and look into the unique wines with CBD that you can serve at your restaurant!
What Is CBD Wine?
CBD wine or CBD-infused wine, is a relatively new product, a blend of wine and CBD tinctures. Mixing both intensifies their effects. Check our article on the health benefits of drinking wine.
How Is CBD Wine Produced?
Special CBD tinctures are used to produce CBD-infused wine. The winemaking process remains the same, there’s only one additional step - blending the CBD tincture with the wine.
Why Is CBD Wine So Popular Nowadays?
CBD wine gives people the benefits of both CBD and wine. It’s an easy way to take your daily dose of CBD and enjoy a nice glass of wine with good company.
An additional benefit we have not mentioned before is that typically wines infused with CBD have a lower alcohol content, which helps people avoid hangovers and other unpleasant side effects of alcohol.
Challenges and Opportunities of Serving CBD Wine at a Restaurant
Any new item on a beverage menu can bring both opportunities and challenges. CBD wine is one of many unique wines that you need to think about when planning your restaurant beverage inventory.
Let’s look into some of the challenges and opportunities that will come with it!
Challenges
- Legal issues and complications - The hardest part of adding anything CBD to your menu is navigating the legal side of things. CBD products are not legal in all states and there could be some local regulations you need to adhere to.
- Uncertain Customer Perception - Not everyone is familiar with CBD products and their benefits. Some people don’t see CBD as a good thing and changing these perceptions can be a big challenge.
- Price of CBD Beverages - CBD products as well as unique wines are usually more expensive. This makes them a product that not everyone can afford.
Opportunities
- Showing Innovation - Being innovative is a great thing, especially in the hospitality industry. Adding unique offers to your menu will bring in a lot more Millennials who love new experiences and experimenting with food and drinks!
- Offering More Wellness Options - Catering to health-conscious customers will only bring benefits to your business. People will appreciate the fact you have healthier alternatives to their favorite drinks and will be more likely to return to your restaurant.
- Great Marketing - CBD products can be advertised in unique and creative ways. Doing marketing for your restaurant well will help you increase profits and will keep bringing new customers in.
How to Store CBD Wine
Storing wine the recommended way is a must. If not stored properly, the wine will lose its flavors and unique characteristics. Make sure you have good temperature-controlled storage for your wine bottles. Any type of wine bottle needs to be stored at temperatures between 45°F and 65°F.
Make sure all wine bottles are stored away from direct sunlight as UV rays can damage the wine, even if it’s placed properly on the shelf and at the right temperature.
Popular Wine Cocktails: Why and How to Make Them
Great cocktails are a must for every bar and restaurant. We are all familiar with the classics and have our favorite spring cocktails, summer cocktails, fall cocktails, and winter cocktails.
But are you familiar with all the amazing cocktails that can be made with traditional or unique wines? If not, the following information is just what you need to read!
What Wines Can Be Used to Make Cocktails?
Cocktails can be made with gin, vodka, tequila, whiskey, rum, and even wine! From red and white wines to rosé and sparkling wines - any type of wine can be used as a base of a delicious cocktail! No matter what is the wine alcohol content.
Combine different cocktail mixers with traditional and unique wines to create tasty, refreshing drinks. Either follow some of the popular wine cocktail recipes or turn to a mixologist to create something unique for your restaurant.
Popular Wine Cocktails to Serve at Your Restaurant
Wine cocktails are a great alternative to wine by the glass or a whole wine bottle with dinner. These cocktails can be super refreshing and allow for even better food and wine pairings because of their different flavors and aromas.
Here are some of the wine cocktails you need to consider when building your list of traditional and unique wines, as well as cocktail drinks!
- Sangria - This classic drink usually includes red wine, spirits, as well as fruit, and sweeteners. Use apples, oranges, and/or berries. The alcohol can be orange liquor or brandy. For sweeteners, cocktail experts recommend and use cane sugar.
- Kir Royale - An elegant mixture of sparkling wine (usually champagne or prosecco) and crème de cassis. Top it off with fresh blackberries or raspberries.
- Mimosa - A good brunch menu needs Mimosa on it! Mimosas are a mix of champagne and fresh orange juice. They are great for events like bridal showers, too.
- Bellini - The Bellini consists of prosecco and peach purée. It’s a fruity cocktail commonly enjoyed as an apéritif.
- Aperol Spritz - Aperol Spritz can include prosecco. Mixed with the Italian bitter orange liquor and soda it’s a great cocktail to have in the summer.
- Wine Spritzer - An easy way to make wine more refreshing is by mixing it with soda or sparkling water.
- Portonic - This cocktail is made with white port wine and tonic water, plus a slice of lime or lemon. This cocktail drink is for people who enjoy fortified wines.
- Kalimotxo - This cocktail is a mix of wine and coal, which may sound weird but tastes good.
- Rosé Lemonade - Lemonade and rosé go perfectly together. You can add vodka or gin to make it extra good!
- White Wine Sangria - White wines go well with lighter spirits like white rum and fruits that complement the flavors of the wine. It’s a great version of Sangria that many will love.
Implementing New Offers
Building an ideal wine list for your specific restaurant is crucial. Wine is loved by so many people and there are countless incredible food and wine pairings you can create. Whether you serve seafood dishes, different types of pasta, or anything else - there’s a wine or a wine cocktail that will go perfectly with it.
Don’t forget to spend time and resources on restaurant marketing campaigns, too. Photos and videos of your beautiful wine cocktails and other drinks, as well as sneak peeks at your menu, will help you get more customers in your restaurant.
As for restaurant inventory management, you can turn to BinWise. We will help you build a great wine list with traditional and unique wines, stay on top of your inventory, and will save you so much time. Book a demo now to learn more!