When picking out the perfect wine to pair with dinner, the usual options are red, white, or rosé – but what about green? Cannabis-infused wine, a.k.a. “cannawine,” has become increasingly popular over the past few years.
Unique from any other wine on the market, weed wine brings consumers all the flavor of the vine and the euphoric comfort of the cannabis plant, packed in one delicious glass (or two).
While the concept of weed wine seems new, the concoction has been around for centuries, dating back to the B.C. era in ancient Egypt. Cannabis-infused wine may have been created using different methods back then, but the expected outcome was the same: a relaxing, uplifting, and soothing experience.
Researchers are unsure whether cannawine was consumed in a medical or recreational manner, but both are surely plausible. As one of the original ways cannabis was consumed, cannabis-infused wine has a rich history that has evolved into today’s legal market.
While ancient cannabis wine was an infusion of alcohol and THC, modern cannawine is significantly less intense. Because of laws that work to prevent mixing the two in one product, most weed-infused wines on the market today are dealcoholized in the process, eliminating the chance of suffering a hangover the next day.
There is also CBD-infused wine or hemp-infused wine, which is both nonalcoholic and non-psychoactive – a relaxing and flavorful beverage. Because of its federal legality, CBD has dominated the market over the past few years, although states still have their own rules and regulations surrounding sales of the product.
While stripping alcohol from wine has resulted in diminished flavor in the past, the weed wines of today are dedicated to capturing the original essence of the drink, making it almost indistinguishable in taste from regular wine. Once the wine has been stripped, it is sent to a cannabis-infusion manufacturer for the next and final step.
As this method of ancient cannabis consumption continues to make its comeback, more and more brands are popping up on the market. Here are some of the top-rated cannawine brands we recommend trying out:
#1) Cannavines
One of the most esteemed cannabis-infused wines in the game, Cannavines is crafted in Napa Valley, California.
A robust wine with an elegant blend of terpenes and CBD, these wines come in red, white, or rosé – all skillfully infused with classic brands like Grand Daddy Purple, Headband, and Sour Diesel.
These wines are currently only available for purchase in California, but they plan on selling online soon.
#2) Rebel Coast
Formed in 2012, Rebel Coast started out as a traditional wine brand. Within a few years, the brand began to notice its potential within the cannabis industry and the decision was made to begin infusing.
The brand dipped its toes in the water in 2017 with the release of Rebel Coast’s cannabis-infused sauvignon blanc.
Since then, Rebel Coast has gone on to produce an expanded line of cannabis-infused beverages, from fruity seltzers to sparkling versions of their classic Sauvage and Pink Passion flavors.
#3) CBD Vines
Based in Texas, CBD Vines offers a line of CBD-infused wines, offering some benefits of the plant without the psychoactive effects.
Derived from hemp plants, these beverages boast a wealth of potential health benefits like a healthy heart, anti-aging properties, lower risk of cancer, and more.
Their two signature flavors are cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay – a.k.a., CaBD Sauy and CBDonay.
When it comes to cannawine, there are a lot of factors that go into finding the perfect combination of grapy flavor and terpene-y goodness.
Terpenes are the star of the cannabis plant, accounting for much of the strain’s flavor, color, texture, and effect.
If you’re interested in trying weed wine but unsure where to begin when it comes to taste, here are few helpful tips to keep in mind when browsing the market:
Although most weed wines on the market are alcohol-free, there are still brands that combine alcohol with THC and/or CBD – not to mention the good old tried-and-true crossfade that comes from a nice glass of wine and a joint on the side.
No matter how you choose to pair these two substances, there are definitely some risks to watch out for. Here’s how to remain responsible while mixing cannabis and alcohol:
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