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Wine in cans: Fire Boat Red and Fire Boat White from Coyote Moon Vineyards in Clayton, N.Y.

(Coyote Moon Vineyards)

Forget popping the cork, or even taking off the screw cap. And let's not even get into wine-in-a-box.

The new thing in wine packaging -- in New York state at least -- is vino in a can.

Yes, now you crack open a cold one, even if you're a wine drinker.

The first New York winery to offer wine in cans is Coyote Moon Vineyards in Clayton, part of the Thousand Islands wine region.

Coyote Moon is selling its Fire Boat Red and Fire Boat White in cans, online through its web site and at its three tasting room locations (see below).

Wine in cans has been a growing trend, both globally and in the U.S., for a couple of years.

But none of New York state's more than 400 wineries jumped into it until Coyote Moon began researching the idea last year, said Elena Comiskey, who works in the winery's marketing department.

It started when the winery's marketing manager and graphic designer Christina Laparr was having a few drinks with friends last summer, Comiskey said.

"She heard the crack of someone opening a beer," Comiskey said. "And she thought, 'That makes me thirsty. Why can't we do that with wine?' "

Wine in cans: Fire Boat Red from Coyote Moon Vineyards in Clayton, N.Y.

The benefits: The cans are small and light; you don't need a corkscrew, and they travel well for picnics, camping, going to the beach or other adventures.

They come in four-packs of 250 mililiter cans, for a total package of one liter. The cost is $18.95 for a four-pack.

The two wines chosen for canning are made from native American grapes. Fire Boat Red is 100 percent Concord grape; Fire Boat White is 100 percent Niagara. Both are on the sweet side.

Coyote Moon, like other Thousand Islands/North Country wineries, makes wine from grapes that can withstand deep cold. In addition to native grapes like Concord and Niagara, that includes hybrids like Frontenac Gris and Marquette that can withstand temperatures down to 40 below zero. (Many Finger Lakes varieties are hardy down to 10 below).

Where to find Coyote Moon wine in a can:

• Vineyard and Winery, 17371 East Line Road, Clayton, NY

• Wine and Craft Beer Lounge, 524 Riverside Drive, Clayton, NY

• Tasting Room at the Salmon Run Mall, 21182 Salmon Run Mall Loop, Watertown, NY

• Online at coyotemoonvineyards.com 1-315-686-5600





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Don Cazentre writes about food, beverages, restaurants and bars for syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Contact him by email, on Twitter, at Google+ or via Facebook.