www.montereycountyweekly.com NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 6, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 45 CHILL It’s no secret that Americans appreciate convenience. Phrases like grab-and-go or heat-and-serve are commonplace, even as many of us slow down to a farm-to-table pace. This same contradiction exists with wine. At the same time that winemakers are exploring age-old traditions, more and more canned wines are appearing on shelves. According to data from Nielsen, in fact, sales by volume of wine in a can shot up by a whopping 3,800 percent between 2017 and 2021. Mini Vacay is a new line of sparkling wine in slender—their press material dares to say “sexy”—aluminum pop tops from Salinas Valley producer Tamara Franscioni. The 2022 vintage Bubbly Rosé is from organically grown Pinot Noir and presents a familiar friendly demeanor. On the nose it smiles with impressions of whole strawberries and fresh plucked petals—although it’s easier to sort the bouquet when the wine is poured into a glass. However, that’s not the point of Mini Vacay. It is meant to be taken along for the ride. And the wine expresses itself well when sipped from the can. It is lively and crisp, with kindly fruit up front, followed by a floral note that leads gently into a bittersweet zest. It is a bit more nuanced in a glass, but the celebratory fizz of the sparkling wine quickly wanes. Franscioni launched the Mini Vacay brand in 2020, imagining an enjoyable wine with an emphasis on portability. The pool, a golf cart, a picnic, a backpack (or even whatever they call fanny packs these days)—such places are best served from a pop top. Visit minvacayrose.com for more information. Can It Mini Vacay puts celebration— and convenience—in a pop top with a sparkling Rosé. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@mcweekly.com DAVE FARIES THIN CRUST PIZZA SALADS & CALZONES TAKE-OUT TODAY SOURDOUGH PIZZA SEASIDE’S FINEST Tues – Sat 11am – 9pm Sunday 11am – 8pm 720 BROADWAY AVE. SEASIDE PASTA & SUBS BEER ON TAP DESSERTS EAST COAST PIZZAS NY style, thin crust w/ butter & garlic. 14” has 6 slices. 18” has 8 slices. WEST COAST PIZZAS SF sourdough crust w/ garlic olive oil. 14” has 6 slices. 18” has 8 slices. STUFFED CALZONES Made from pizza dough, stuffed w/pizza sauce, garlic, mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of basil. (Onions upon request). 831-899-1762 DELIVERY AVAILABLE DINE-IN TOO CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA SAN CARLOS & 7TH Wind-powered Wine GIVE THE GIFT OF BEST TASTING ROOMS 2018– 2023 ESTATE WINERY & TASTING ROOM 1972 HOBSON AVE. GREENFIELD
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