Trends in Wine Packaging
Wine Packaging is an increasingly important topic. Glass bottles are the traditional format, but economic and environmental concerns have led to increasing popularity of alternative packaging options such as BIB, Tetra Pak, and aluminum cans.
The traditional glass bottle is relatively heavy and has a large carbon footprint. New lightweight alternatives reduce weight and have a lower environmental impact.
Glass
Glass wine bottles are a popular choice among consumers and can help brand’s stand out on the shelf. The glass packaging can be customized with a variety of colors, shapes, and finishes. It is also an excellent option for wine that benefits from ageing.
Glass doesn’t require a plastic or chemical liner and is safe for food. In addition, it doesn’t harm biodiversity and requires fewer resources than other materials for production. Glass bottle manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to make the product even more sustainable, such as using hydrogen technology and expanding recycling programs.
Alternative packaging formats are a growing trend in the wine industry. However, many wine drinkers view them as less premium than glass. In fact, 80% of wine drinkers believe that bottled wines taste better than those packaged in other formats. Some companies have attempted to address this image problem by introducing cardboard packaging in a bottle shape. However, such products can be expensive and have a higher carbon footprint than glass. They are also difficult to recycle.
Aluminum
The traditional glass wine bottle has been facing competition from boxes, cans and Wine Packaging paper bottles for some time now. However, in August 2020, Limerick Lane Cellars launched Revelshine, a line of sustainable premium wines packaged in reusable aluminum bottles. The bottles are almost indestructible and infinitely recyclable. They also allow consumers to enjoy their wine on the go – whether it’s a picnic in the park or a hike on a rough trail.
In addition, the bottles’ resealable design allows them to keep their freshness for longer. The caps can be decorated to reflect the style of the wine. This packaging option is becoming increasingly popular among consumers.
As a result, it’s important to consider the sustainability benefits of these new packaging formats when selecting a product. For example, rPET bottles require less energy to produce than glass bottles, which requires a great deal of raw material and energy to mine. This reduces environmental impacts in the supply chain and can even open up transportation options that would be impossible for other packaging materials.
BiB
BiB wine packaging is an alternative to traditional glass bottles and corks. It consists of a flexible, airtight bag inserted in a cardboard box that preserves the organoleptic properties of wine for a long time, protecting it from the permeability of light and oxygen. This type of packaging meets the expectations of modern consumers and provides them with freedom of consumption, easy handling and transport, and value for money.
However, the new format is not ideal for all wines and occasions. It is primarily suitable for young, fresh wines that are not intended for aging. The bags are made of high-quality polyethylene, which is not transparent, but is resistant to sunlight and oxygen. It is also biodegradable and recyclable.
The packaging is manufactured by form seal fill (FSF) technology, where the bag is sealed to an integral rotary head filler. It is used to package wine, soda fountain syrup products, milk, and Wine Packaging liquid chemicals. It is a popular alternative to PET, which has an increased risk of spoilage and can only be used for short-term storage.
Tetra Pak
Traditionally reserved for juice and dairy products, Tetra Paks have gained popularity with premium wine producers. These cartons are now seen in liquor stores as a new and trendy alternative to glass bottles. They are easy to open, require no corkscrew, and are shatterproof. The cuboid-shaped packages are also easily stackable, making them an efficient way to store wine.
The cartons are insulated and light-resistant, making them an ideal option for cold climates. They also have a lower carbon footprint than glass, requiring less energy and emitting fewer greenhouse gases to produce. In addition, they are much lighter than bottles, saving money on shipping costs.
Despite the advantages of the packaging, some consumers have been resistant to trying wines in cartons. Some people believe that Tetra Pak wine loses quality, while others are concerned about the safety of the containers. However, most of these arguments are false. The cartons are safer and more environmentally friendly than bottles, and they can be recycled if you live near a recycling plant that processes them. The cartons are also a great choice for bringing wine to parties and picnics, as they can be easily carried in a backpack or basket.
Cans
In recent years, the wine industry has experimented with several kinds of alternative packaging, including aluminium cans and Tetra Pak boxes. These innovative containers offer a number of benefits to the wine consumer, including their portability and sustainability. However, these new formats are often misunderstood by consumers.
For example, some consumers believe that canned wines are of lower quality than wines packaged in glass bottles. Others claim that the metal taste of a can is unpleasant. Although these claims are unfounded, the wine industry is working hard to address these concerns.
Using cans to package wine can help producers reach a younger demographic that is accustomed to drinking beer and seltzer from cans. This format also allows winemakers to use smaller quantities, which can encourage consumers to sample more wines and find their favorites. In addition, cans are more portable than glass bottles, making them a great choice for picnics, beach days, and road trips. Cans are also more eco-friendly than glass bottles, because they can be recycled more easily and contain less carbon dioxide.
