Choosing the Right Wine Packaging

From intricate etchings to unique punt shapes, a wide array of customization options are available that help wine stand out on the shelf and elevate its perceived quality and desirability. The proper bottle also provides an important tool for identifying and pursuing specific consumer targets.

Wine in alternative packaging—Tetra Pak, BIB, aluminum cans, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles—must be carefully managed. Oxygen scavenging technologies and barrier technology need to be modified for wine chemistry.

Glass

For generations wine has been sold in glass bottles. There’s an inextricable association between the two. Bottles are inert and robust, and their shape allows for perfect aging of the wine inside.

Nonetheless, other formats are growing in popularity, including kegs and pouches. The challenge is to raise consumer awareness that alternative packaging can offer premium presentation and quality wine.

The issue of cost is another consideration, and many wineries are looking for ways to reduce their costs. One solution is to invest in new technologies such as glass production that use less energy. These new technologies can also reduce the amount of raw material used.

A new option for packaging wine is the flat wine bottle, produced from PET (polyethylene terephthalate). This type of packaging can hold 91% more volume than a traditional round glass bottle. It also weighs less, allowing more wine to be packed on a pallet. Its space-saving design is also attractive to consumers, who will see the brand logo prominently displayed on the bottle.

For the time being, glass remains the most popular choice for wine bottles. Despite recent difficulties with international logistics backlogs, domestic glass production continues to grow and supply is steady. In the short term, it’s unlikely that a switch away from Wine Packaging glass will occur, but winemakers are continuing to experiment with alternatives to meet consumer demand for sustainable and flexible packaging.

Aluminum

Most of us are used to seeing wine in glass bottles with corks or screw caps. But there is a wine packaging revolution underway. Winemakers are now offering wines in bag-in-boxes, recyclable aluminum cans and a variety of new bottle designs and sizes.

In addition, aluminum cans are easier for winemakers to source (recent supply chain issues notwithstanding) and cost less than traditional glass. The cans are also lightweight, making them more transportable and easy to chill. And they are reusable, which is great for the environment.

One downside to BIB packaging Wine Packaging is that the polyolefinic film can absorb volatile and semi-volatile aroma compounds, potentially causing flavor deterioration. Revi et al. conducted a study that compared the impact of various bag-in-box films on wine oxidation and sensory acceptability, finding that LDPE lined pouches had the highest potential for flavor sorption.

While the trend towards greener wine packaging seems to be a natural evolution, it is important for winemakers to consider their audience when choosing a design style. The right design can help the brand stand out in a crowded market and create an emotional connection with consumers. In addition, it can convey the brand’s values and heritage. And consistency across different materials can strengthen brand recognition and loyalty. Ultimately, a great wine package design should be a silent salesperson that communicates the brand’s story and character.

Plastic

The popularity of wine in North America has prompted some wineries to explore alternative packaging options. These alternatives include bag-in-box wines, paper bottles and aluminium cans. Some wineries are choosing these alternatives because they reduce shipping costs and carbon footprints. However, it is important to consider how a change in packaging may affect the brand’s image. It’s also important to determine the per-unit cost of a new format and ensure that it fits within your budget.

One of the main concerns about wine in plastic packaging is that it could contain Bisphenol A (BPA). BPA has been used for four decades to strengthen plastic food containers, but recent research has linked this chemical to a wide range of health problems, including altered brain development, behavioral changes and a predisposition to prostate and breast cancer. However, some companies are making progress in reducing the use of BPA in their wine packaging. For example, Telmont in France has recently stopped putting its wines into plastic bottles and has replaced them with glass bottles made with recycled glass.

Another way to reduce wine packaging’s environmental impact is to produce lighter bottles. By using recycled glass and cutting the weight of the bottle, you can reduce the number of emissions associated with its production and transportation. For example, a study by the California Wine Institute found that traditional glass bottles account for 29% of a bottle of wine’s total carbon footprint, while transportation of the bottles accounts for 13%. The ISVV’s research found that lightweighting can cut these figures by up to 80%.

Paper

Despite the proliferation of alternative wine packaging, including bags-in-box and cans, the classic glass bottle remains king. But even that isn’t beyond innovation. British company Frugalpac has created a standard-sized paper wine bottle that’s shaped like the traditional bottles we’re used to seeing on the shelf but with a much lower carbon footprint.

The company’s new bottle is made of food-grade pouches molded around thick recycled paper board, with 360-degree branding printed on all sides. It weighs less than 3 ounces before being filled with wine and creates six times as little CO2 as a glass bottle. It’s also recyclable and biodegradable.

A California wine producer will soon become the first in America to produce these bottles. The Monterey Wine Company is buying a bottle making machine from Frugalpac to begin producing them in January. The company says it will use local recycled cardboard as the base material and other materials for the pouches.

The company plans to sell the wine in both traditional glass bottles and these paper bottles. It will also make it available online. The new bottles will be sold for about $8 per bottle. It’s a small price to pay for reducing your wine’s carbon footprint and helping the environment. Unlike plastic bottles, paper wine bottles won’t break or crack easily. This means they’re safer to ship and store.