Mini "goon bags" offer a serious wine alternative

"It's a mini goon bag," said Jamie, one of the young servers, when I took a Greenskin wine pouch into one of my local cafés for a tasting this week.

He was right - and wrong.

The quality of wine going into the Greenskin pouches has never been better. Two new releases; a 2024 Chardonnay and 2024 Sauvignon Blanc from Western Australia are a case in point.

The sauvignon blanc is made by Japo Dalli Cani at leading Margaret River winery McHenry Hohnen, while the chardonnay is crafted by Gavin Berry at West Cape Howe in the Great Southern.

Two impressive vibrant and juicy whites for enjoying in their youth: and prices start from $106.50 for a six-pack.

Both would be ideal for enjoying chilled at a picnic, on the beach, out on the water, at a party or a sports event. The quality, I think you''ll find, is just as good as you'd find in $30 bottles.

I predict that recyclable pouches will be all the rage this year, along with half bottles and wine in cans. There is a new wine brand called Half Sister making wines only in 375mL bottles.

Convenience is everything and Greenskin offers premium wine in a 100% recylable format.

Here is their spiel: "Tired of lugging heavy, breakable glass bottles on your adventures? Are you frustrated with how long they take to chill or the hassle of disposing of them afterwards?

"We’ve reinvented the way you enjoy premium wine with our nifty 750ml, fully recyclable pouches.

"As experienced winemakers and wine packaging specialists, we hand-select premium Australian wines from renowned wineries and package them in a lightweight, unbreakable pouch.

"Forget those cringe-worthy “goon-bag” memories; this is all about enjoying premium quality wine in a convenient, sustainable package."

Some facts: pouches take 80% less energy to produce than glass; use fewer emissions in transport and are part of a free recycling program.

Co-founder Mike Davies reports: "Sales are significantly up over the past year, which is encouraging for the concept."

If you are keen to try medley packages offer whites, reds, rosés or a mix, you can place orders online. Apply the promo code MEDLEY10 to receive 10% off.

See https://greenskinwine.com/

Greenskin finds a new partner for its environmentally friendly wines

I'm an admirer of the Greenskin range of wines sold in pouches rather than bottles. 

Now Greenskin has announced a recycling breakthrough in the wake of the demise of former partner the RedCycle business. 

Greenskin has a commitment to sustainability and innovation and after a search for a new recycling partner this week announced a collaboration with Plasmar. 

Greenskin founder Mike Davies says that unlike RedCycle, Plasmar is not an intermediary; but a full-fledged recycling operation that transforms plastic waste into long-life, environmentally friendly alternatives to timber. 

The material is used to create a range of durable products, including pallets, sleepers, bollards, and even vineyard posts, forming a full circle that sees the wine pouches return to the vineyards.

“Even without our recycling program, the energy savings in production and transport make Greenskin Wine pouches a far more sustainable choice than glass bottles,” Davies said. 

"But by working with Plasmar, our wine industry first, closed-loop recycling system amplifies our sustainability efforts to the next level and also offers consumers more sustainable choices when it comes to indulging in their favourite wines.” 

Rose Smithers, founder of Plasmar, said she was thrilled to embark on a new partnership with Greenskin Wine.

“We have been inundated with enquiries since the demise of RedCycle and have had to be very highly selective on whom we partner with," she said. 

“Greenskin Wines' appeal to Plasmar is the fact that they are forward-thinking in terms of sustainability and are challenging tradition in the wine industry.

“Not only is the production and transport of Greenskin Wines' packaging more sustainable than traditional glass bottles, but by offering their customers a free and easy way to return their empties to us aligns both companies' shared dedication to a greener future.” 

Greenskin Wine entered the market in 2021, introducing premium wine packaged into a fully recyclable, 750ml soft pouch.

Greenskin Wine was the first in Australia to package premium wine in a 750ml format that offers convenience but also champions environmental sustainability.

Greenskin Wine is sold by the six-pack directly to consumers via their website and is delivered Australia-wide. The packaging is then returned for recycling. 

See https://greenskinwine.com/ 

Wine pouches are in vogue; and good for the planet

When I posted an image of the Greenskin wine pouches on social media a couple of days ago, it provoked an angry reaction.

Dinosaurs were out in force with comments like: "We don't need more plastic in the world, wine should be drunk from a bottle" and "the planet does not need more disposable packaging".

Wrong people. Wrong.

Greenskin Wines are promoted as Australia’s first 100% recyclable, re-sealable, glassless way to enjoy quality wine.

Ideal for taking on a picnic, or to the beach, the lightweight, "unbreakable", re-sealable Greenskin pouches each hold 750ml of wine, take 80% less energy than glass to produce, and weigh 40% less than bottles, producing far fewer emissions in manufacture and transport.

They also come with a reply paid envelope to send them away for recycling when they are empty.

“We have set up a free, easy recycling program,” says co-founder Kim McKee. “Each six-pack includes a pre-paid satchel for people to put their empties in and drop in the mail. They then go direct to our recycling partner, REDcycle. This is the first ‘mail-in’ system of this kind that we know of.”

The first Greenskin release features six different wines from the 2020 vintage made by producers in Margaret River and Great Southern.

Leading viticulturist and wine scientist Dr Richard Smart and green-leaning wine writer Max Allen are among those to have endorsed the idea. Trentham Estate is also selling wines in pouches under the Three's a Crowd brand.

Of the wines in the Greenskin range I have tasted, the rather delicious chardonnay is currently in my fridge awaiting another glass being poured, and the rosé was very dry and decent. 

Having tasted the range; the chardonnay is the star with the rose, cabernet merlot and pinot noir all very tasty. The syrah was the only disappointment. 

Co-founder Mike Davies says: "Forget your disturbing goon-bag memories from yesteryear; this is all about quality wine in a smart, convenient package."

So if you find traditional wine bottles heavy, bulky, breakable and very inconvenient to dispose of when camping or hiking or at the beach, here is a modern "easy to chill" alternative.

Greenskin Wine Series One has six different wines, sold by the six-pack direct to consumers. Prices are in line with a regular mid-level bottle at around $25-30. 

Check out the details and sustainability benefits at www.greenskinwine.com

So the scoffers are probably flailing angrily at the environmentally-friendly future.

   

Discover a casual new way to enjoy wine

 

Just last month I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the wines in Yalumba's Winesmiths casks. 

Now, in a further move away from bottles and towards alternative packaging, Trentham Estate has unveiled an eye-catching new product - a 1.5-litre wine pouch branded as Three's A Crowd. 

The pouch is being promoted as a way to enjoy wine that offers convenience, sustainability and quality.

The new pouch range initially offers a pinot grigio and pinot noir in eye-catching packaging.

With the increase in outdoor get-togethers becoming the "new norm" and many consumers limiting their alcohol intake, Trentham Estate saw an opportunity. 

The pouches are being pitched as "perfect for outdoor activities such as picnics, camping, beach holidays and even road trips". The wines will last several weeks in a fridge. 

“In this current climate consumers are looking for more affordable alternatives, however they still want great quality wine and Three's A Crowd offers that,” says Anthony Murphy, chief winemaker and managing director.

The compact pouch, which holds the equivalent of two standard bottles of wine, produces 80% less carbon emissions than glass (glass bottles and their transportation being the two biggest contributors to the carbon footprint of wine production).

Designed by Melbourne-based packaging design studio, Design Energy, the colours for each varietal reflect day and night and also the seasonal changes.

The pinot noir is lightish, fresh and lively and could easily be chilled during summet, while the pinot grigio is crisp and refreshing. 

Given both are effectively priced at around $1 per glass, you cannot go wrong. Recommended. 

The pouches are available exclusively from First Choice Liquor Market stores, Australia-wide for $16 each. 

For further information, visit www.trenthamestate.com.au/threesacrowd