Page 23 - Grapevine NovDec 2021
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In The Winery
glass will always be the preferred choice, especial- and continue to be favored by following the suc-
ly when bottling premium wines. “Glass provides cessful methods pioneered by canned cocktails and
an extended shelf life, providing a premium touch seltzers. Aluminum is easy to handle and customize
and visual aesthetic without changing the taste, with uniquely designed sleeves for shelf appeal
aroma or overall quality of the wine inside. We see and is perfect for occasions where glass containers
increased use in the smaller 375 ml bottles. And are not allowed or practical. In addition, aluminum
the smaller, single-serve bottles are another way packaging is much lighter to ship and can ultimately
to appeal to customers who love wine but drink it help cut price points on wine.
only occasionally or want to avoid waste. Honestly,
the bigger issue in packaging right now is supply. Polyethylene Terephthalate and
Like everything else right now, supply channels are Plastic Find a Niche
difficult to maneuver. It’s a constant battle just
trying to get the amount of glass needed, and it’s The pandemic brought on the idea that consum-
not going to get better anytime soon. Again, it’s a ers would more frequently look to purchase and
global issue. Orders that used to be ready in three drink wine at home. To support this, wine compa-
weeks might now take six to nine months, so some nies looked to offer minimal contact accessibility,
winemakers are just going with what they can and plastic provided a solution.
obtain.”
Garcon Wines acted on that new dynamic, finding
When asked if the glass shortage may be driving that traditional bottles used in the wine industry
some producers to choose aluminum packaging, no longer fit the dynamics of how and why most
Tucker told The Grapevine Magazine that it might wine is purchased and consumed. With the growing
be accurate, but aluminum distributors are going belief that the existing carbon footprint of wine
through the same supply difficulties as everyone is unsustainable, they developed a 100% recycla-
else. ble, 750 ml, flat Polyethylene Terephthalate wine
bottle. It is designed to fit through mail slots and
“The most important thing to do is choose a is manufactured from 100% food-grade, post-con-
packaging supplier that also can provide a type of sumer recycled PET, saving energy and weight.
supply insurance. Encore Glass fulfills your order
by offering great selections of glass bottles, expert
preparation, and a commitment to get your bottles
to you when you need them.”
When compared to the traditional glass bottles,
they are 87% lighter and 40% smaller spatially.
The flat bottles are a little taller than standard
bottles and are stackable to save space. The taller
Aluminum Brings Versatility into Focus profile helps them stand out and be a little more
noticeable on a retail shelf. They pack tightly into
Like glass, aluminum is a solid and cost-effective shipping cartons without additional packaging, bet-
choice for overall packaging effectiveness and per- ter utilizing the space on a standard pallet. Fewer
formance, but similar difficulty in sourcing can be deliveries are needed, and with more efficient load-
an issue. Aluminum offers convenience, recyclabil- ing and unloading times, the savings add up.
ity, maximum portability and, in some cases, the
ability to be resealed. Canned wines gained popu- However, under 30% of PET containers are recy-
larity and broader acceptance during the pandemic cled in the United States, so good intentions aren’t
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