One of the main reasons wine traditionally comes in bottles is to protect its quality. Glass is nonreactive, and the cork or screw cap provides an airtight seal that prevents oxygen from spoiling the liquid. In recent years, a new rival has appeared on the scene—aluminum cans. But there are concerns that the metal may interact with the wine, altering its unique flavor.

However, for red muscadine wine, new research published in ACS Food Science & Technology suggests that cans may be just as effective as glass at keeping the wine fresh.