Taking a leading stance in innovation in the Australian wine industry, the new Wolf Blass Green Label presents a new packaging alternative with a lower greenhouse footprint. Wolf Blass Green Label in a 51g PET wine bottle comparative to an industry standard 515g glass bottle appears to be the first Australian wine company to produce a wine with 29% less greenhouse gas emissions(GHG); of which the claim is substantiated by a full product Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)*.
Wolf Blass Green Label wines are set to launch nationally in May, following 12 months trial, development and analysis with bottle supplier, VIP Packaging.
The new unfilled PET packaging format is about 90% lighter than the industry average standard glass bottle, thus, saving on GHG emissions generated during production and transport and also making it easier to transport, handle and pour. Further, PET is a food standard plastic, 100% recyclable and shatterproof meaning no risk of broken glass and making it a perfect alternative when glass is less than ideal. The packaging can easily be crushed and folded, minimizing household waste.
“We have been working on our PET wine bottle solution for some time now and our objective was to make sure we had the best possible solution that wouldn’t compromise the taste of the wine, quality or aesthetics of the packaging. After numerous trials and international consultation, we’re confident we have now reached this point”, says Daryl Black, VIP Packaging’s PET Business Manager.
Using DiamondClear active oxygen scavenging material, available through an exclusive licensing agreement with Constar International, VIP Packaging has addressed one of the biggest stumbling blocks associated with plastic packaging for wine – the lifespan of both empty and filled wine bottles.
Technology prior to DiamondClear offered a shorter shelf life for the previous formats of PET wine bottles which generally required storage in a chilled environment prior to use and subsequent filling within 2 weeks of being actually produced. VIP Packaging’s new wine bottles, using the latest DiamondClear scavenging technology, do not require this treatment; thus in turn eliminating refrigerator usage and associated energy consumption.
At the forefront of innovation, the new Wolf Blass Green Label wines are the first wine products released in Australia to use DiamondClear technology. The core benefits of this technology include its long history of use in the food industry and that the oxygen scavenger activation is assisted by the presence of moisture introduced at the time of filling.
Gram for gram, DiamondClear oxygen scavenging material has approximately five times more oxygen absorption capacity than competing scavenger technologies. The active monolayer materials absorb oxygen, not only limiting the amount of oxygen which ingresses into the bottle, but also assists with the removal of oxygen from the head space ensuring the wine delivers the same quality, taste and fresh fruit flavours within a best before date of 12 months.
“Green Label is an ideal solution for a more sustainable alternative packaging choice presenting a lower greenhouse footprint*. The packaging is in response to market demand and a clear consumer insight suggesting that 96% of consumers today claim they’d like brands to show them how they are helping climate change and the environment” (STW Group Ltd, Climate Change 2007) said Oliver Horn Global Brand Director, Wolf Blass.
VIP Packaging offers three stock lines as part of its new PET wine bottle range; including a 750ml Burgundy style format, plus a 750ml and 187ml Bordeaux style bottle. Compatible with aluminium metal closures and plastic Novatwist closures, VIP Packaging’s PET wine bottles meet applicable food contact regulations in Australia, USA and EU.
VIP Packaging has the exclusive license to use the DiamondClear oxygen scavenging technology in Australia and New Zealand and has partnered with Uno Packaging for the distribution of this product.
* All carbon emissions statistics are substantiated by a rigorous Life Cycle Assessment conducted by sustainability consultants, Net Balance, in accordance with the relevant standards.