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50 W i n e s & V i n e s M A R C H 2 0 1 4 example) will increase the number of bottles that are customized for specific wineries or specific brands," Gordon suggested. Giovanni cited "The steady gain of glass made in Asia.…Chinese factories have con- tinued to invest and improve, and they can now provide a wide array of wine bot- tles with reliability and shorter lead times at very competitive prices. This will continue, while leaving plenty of room and market share for European and North American glass." Global Packaging does not deal in these lower cost "standard" bottles, Harrop said. "We feel it is not sustainable. These standards are mainly coming from China at low costs. With international cur- rency valuation equilibrating, we might see these value products becoming less competitive. Our focus is on producing what is most rational for production sizes and value-added proposals." Demand for premium-shaped bottles will continue with recession recovery, Schwandt predicted. "Alternative" packaging does not have as much potential impact as the trend toward kegs and bottles refillable at wineries (growlers), he said. Sustainable shipping remains a concern, according to Sychowski. "Wineries of all sizes—including small—are continuing to advance in their capabilities, and desire to operate their bottling out of bulk glass rather than having glass in cases delivered to them. Eventually they'll be able to have bulk glass delivered with flat cartons and partitions, be able to bottle from bulk and erect their own cartons on site. "This reduces the carbon foot- print, the number of times that the glass and components are touched prior to being bottled, and reduce packag- ing costs. This would defi- nitely impact the future of our packaging industry," he said hopefully. Did you see it? Many of the suppliers showcased new products at January's Unified Wine & Grape Symposium. TricorBraun introduced its Ecologic wine bottle system—pressed paper with internal bag. "The availability of this package has greatly increased since last year," Gordon said of the packag- ing similar to Truett Hurst's Paper Boy package featured in the story "Bleed- ing-Edge Packaging Tests the Market" in our January 2014 issue. Bruni spotlighted its Ultralight bottles in Burgundy and Bordeaux styles, with cork or screwcap neck finishes, as well as some of the innovative models for which it is famous: Due Fondos and Regine ranges, and samples of the win- ning bottles at its biennial glass design competition, Progetto Millennio. All American showcased higher range bottles and a 375ml, cork-finished Bur- gundy-style bottle that is "tra- ditionally difficult to find." The company also informed attend- ees about its new, Sonoma County re-pack capabilities. w w w . w i n e s a n d v i n e s . c o m MARKET DATA AND ANALYSIS Wineries DtC Shipments Off-Premise Sales Flash Sales WINES VINES ANALYTICS Market Research for Wineries and Suppliers A bladder filled with wine is wrapped inside the paper bottle from Verallia (left). All American Container distributes glass for bottle makers such as Bennu Glass LLC in Washington state. P A C K A G I N G