The weight of wine bottles is a permanent topic between wine makers, retailers, producers, distributors, glass manufacturers and supply chain departments. We also see wine and writers highlighting the weights of a wine bottle in their reviews, making the topic more to the consumer agenda. Retail dealers are also actively looking for more information on this topic and they are making lighter weight bottles for their suppliers.
The higher the weight of the bottles, the higher the cost of production, transportation and the high emissions of carbon dioxide. Inside the industry, it is recognized that more should be done to reduce the weight of wine bottles in an attempt to reduce emissions and energy consumption, carbon stain and make the entire supply chain to the planet. But how can this be addressed in a way that maintains the integrity and quality of the product of the wine, while ensuring that there is no negative effect on sales or brand reputation.
Although the traditional 750 ml glass bottle was a uniform bowl for centuries, its weight (average of 550 grams) and its environmental effect, carbon fingerprint and production and dealing with it are undergoing continuous scrutiny and the entire industry under pressure to lower the weight of the bottle of fixed wine.
Consumer perceptions and the preferences of the wine maker
Consumers do not always realize the weight of bottles, and there is a general perception that the bottle is heavier, the higher the quality of the wine and the shorter bottle on the shelf means lower wine. Consumers also tend to connect a longer bottle with higher quality.
These perceptions are also shared by some wine producers because they offer their wine at a certain price point, and they feel that the heavy bottle is synonymous with quality, and it also has concerns about fracture with lighter weight bottles.
In fact, the main purpose of the bottle is to ensure safe storage and wine transmission inside. It is time to challenge the perception that the heavy bottle indicates high -quality wine.
Research was done in this matter, as consumers and retailers were asked and a review of whether the bottle weight has an effect on sales. The result was that sales decreased if the wine was not in the right bottle of the product, the price point and the liquid quality, so the main meals are to obtain the bottle correctly to the product. In addition, it has been highlighted that consumers want to do their home, so they are pleased with a lighter bottle if it reduces the effect on the planet.
Bottle weight goals
Last year, during the sustainable wine table, an agreement was submitted by the main retailers and supermarkets in the United Kingdom to reduce the average weight of a 750ml wine bottle to less than 420 grams by the end of 2026.
“This is a realistic and realistic goal, but we feel that the industry can go further. In KingLand drinks, we are at the forefront when it comes to sustainability in reducing the weight of the bottle and glass. Emissions, energy savings and smaller carbon making in general,” says Dave Wardel, Director of Purchases.
“We are working closely with the producers of our partners, brands and retail dealers to focus on” correct weight ” – ensuring that all wine, packing and shipping in the most environmentally and economically practical ways of this individual product.”
Save, save, save
Bottle bottles are an important part of the carbon fingerprint of wine and even a slightly reduced the weight of the bottle can have a major effect. With a lighter weight bottle, saving power is large in all areas – lighter bottles require lower raw materials, lighter transportation and lead to low carbon emissions. In addition, the use of a column (recycled glass) allows the ovens at a lower temperature.
It is also a consideration for producers, suppliers, bottles and filling where they export their glass. It may seem that sources and shipping of bottles from distant places such as China have been provided in the short term, but carbon dioxide emissions, carbon costs and transportation costs will definitely start over time.
“We are the source of a lot of our cup locally because we are lucky that there are many suppliers of reliable glass and a good reputation, not only in the United Kingdom, but in a radius of 50 miles from our site in Salford. In fact, many of our suppliers are local, from paper and cardboard to bottles and cans, and all of this helps reduce emissions during the entire supply chain.”
Commercial money savings and economies can also affect decisions to adopt lighter glass bottles or recycled for wine – these savings can keep the prices a decrease in the consumer.
Glass lift – movement from KingLand drinks
“The weight of the bottles and where we reach them in our agenda through environmental teams, purchases, technology and laboratories that work in cooperation to ensure discomfort on our glories. There is always what is done,” says Channon Appleton, the Kingsland Drinks.
“Some of our continuous initiatives include increasing the recycled glass content, monitoring suppliers and reviewing the review on how their ovens carry out emissions, strict testing on pressure points, influence, thresholds, production lines, and dealing with them. We know that the fracture will happen if the wine is not in the right bottle for us, it is a space of its continuous decline on the basis of the individual product.
“We have clients, each on the side of the wine maker and the side of the retail stores, they determine a lighter bottle, so our mission is to test at every level of the supply chain to ensure the completion of its journey and the consumer enjoys it in perfect condition.”
Since 2020, 73 % of the wine bottles that we used were 350 grams or less than 88 % of the bottles that we used last year by the size obtained in the UK 73 % of all bottles obtained from 30 miles from the factory by 100 % of corrugated cases of 35 miles from the factory.
Appleton continues: “Thanks to our focus on sustainability and in -depth suppliers, many of our trademarks and wine partners are already working to reduce the weight of wine bottles brought to the United Kingdom. I have identified Andrew Peade Wines, one of the largest wine exporters in Australia, currently lighter bottles.
“A partnership between hidden marine wines (the Sustainable Australian brand) and Aldi have seen a new product on the shelf in weight bottles lighter, with liquid charged from the source and packed here in the United Kingdom. A great example of how to produce quality wine product, shipment and stadium in bottles, sell and sell carbon declines in each step of the supply step.”
We also work with many retailers to bring wine from all over the world, including European countries such as Spain and Moldova, to the United Kingdom, allowing our customers access to a wide range of packaging options we offer. From Spain, we notice, and the Campaneo wine group, with two liquid -packed reds, and two bottled eggs and a bag with packed boxes here in the UK.
Alternative lifestyles
Alternative wine format is a growing region in the United Kingdom and Europe where both retailers and consumers turn into wine with Bag-In-Box (BIB), thanks to recycling, the ability to withstand costs, and longer wine. New consumers in the bags of bags realize positive versions in terms of comfort, freshness and quality, and there is a real appetite for coordination that provide environmental benefits and sustainability. We have seen growth in a bag in box wine over the past few years, and developments will continue in packages, such as the introduction of more 1.5 -liter mirrors, in echo with more consumers.
The cans are also a great ship for wine – they have “unlimited recycling”, and consumers are usually used to recycle boxes at home. The cans have worked to the main current in terms of RTDS and cocktails, and while wine grows in the box, it is less widely available than other canned drinks, so they have not yet been destroyed. However, consumers completely realize the benefits of boxes against plastic or glass bottles, and canned wine is more easily available throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. With the development of retailers and trade on a larger range of wine in cans, the consumer acceptance is likely to grow.
“We have always made a priority to improve the sustainability of our products constantly. Physical improvements such as corrugated improvements, and the use of new overcoming, which provides the same level of protection for the product while reducing the number of physical platforms required as well. Harmful and unnecessary plastic materials from the materials we use in the package, and we confirm partnerships with farmers and brands that put sustainability at the forefront of their operations.
“Our bags box supplier is also currently working on the bags/taps that will be fully recycled at home for rest, as this part of the bomb is currently recycling only by recycling the soft plastic materials of the supermarket.”
In summary
Appleton concludes: “We expect more developments and priority placed on the weight of a wine bottle, as well as alternative formats. We expect to see more canned wine, a bag in the box wine, paper bottles, and lightweight glass on the shelf in the very near future.
“The movement will continue towards a 300 gram bottle, and the glass manufacturing will use the most recycled glass content, and the ovens may move to electric power or hydrogen. We expect a similar shift in the perception of the consumer as we have seen with Screwcap wine, which is now completely acceptable, and in many cases, preferably expected in the retail field. Emissions continue.
“Many multiple retail chains are determined throughout the United Kingdom and Europe lighter bottles of wine and the imposition of weight borders on their suppliers. We expect that retailers and trademarks will invest more in connecting their sustainability adoption data with a focus on each element of production, supply chains, partnerships, and beyond to ensure that sustainable decisions are taken at each point in the production process.
“Finally, there is no kind of packaging and packaging is the silver bullet in terms of sustainability. We need to reach a point as an industry where we can discuss the positives and negatives of each coordination for packaging and make the most educated decisions and the best as possible.
