DAN’S WINE BLOG- PACKED UP

HOODIE-LESS

2024-06-07

The tops of Champagne bottles have been covered by a hood for neigh on 200 years. Initially introduced to mask the fact that the bottle was not full to the top as other wine bottles were. Over time they became mandatory as proof that the wine had not been tampered with; however they are no longer mandatory.

A year ago the regulations were changed to drop this requirement as more and more environmentally responsible producers arced up about this matter. Already many of the smaller “grower” producers have stopped using foil hoods but it is unclear whether the big production houses will follow suit or stick with what is now merely tradition, especially as the Champagne authorities are currently considering making it mandatory for the wines from their region. Progress is slow in France.

Likewise, here in Australia more and more sparkling wine producers are foregoing the use of the foil hood, especially those who have opted to use the more reliable crown seal instead of the subject to taint, old fashioned cork.

BOTTLED-UP

In other packaging news Staatsweingut Freiburg (Freiburg State Winery) in Germany has recently started bottling some of its wines into the standard German re-usable brown beer bottles. These bottles are returned, washed and reused. The initial offer of wines sold out in a record three weeks. They are planning to sell around 40,000-48,000 bottles of wine in reusable bottles.

The winery also offer some of it’s first PIWI wines (see earlier blogs as to what PIWI wines are) in these bottles. They are the very first VDP "Verband deutscher Pr?dikatsweingüter e.V. winery to do so.

VIABLE BOTTLING

The European Parliament has approved a new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation subject to the EU Council's final approval.

The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation is aimed at more sustainable packaging as well as reducing packaging waste. By 2030, all packaging must be recyclable, to address the growing volume of waste and support the growing circular economy.

Producers and importers will have to use lighter packaging of smaller volumes.

By 2030 producers must adopt re-usable system for most beverages, including wine. In addition, there will be strict rules on recyclability of packaging and on the use of recycled plastic.

?This move shows that the EU is strongly committed to reducing packaging volumes. The aim is that by 2040, packaging should be reduced by 15% relative to 2018 levels. Whilst not sounding very significant, it will have a considerable positive impact on the environment.

Hopefully other countries/regions will follow suit.

Changes will keep on coming and we need to be aware of them and ready for them, rather than being caught short and having to react to them.

Right now wineries need to consider how to deal with:

Deposit Legislation

Lower carbon footprint bottles e.g. lightweight or Packamama flat bottles

Re-usable bottles

Lower chemical usage

These are just some of the challenges/opportunities that the industry will face in the near future.

Have a great weekend, stay safe, think of the future and always #chooseaustralianwine – when possible drink #emergingvarieties.

Cheers