Would you like your wine in a recyclable aluminium bottle?

Brown Brothers has just unveiled an Australian first - releasing a limited-edition prosecco in a slick-looking aluminium bottle. 

The bottle is being promoted as recyclable and 40% lighter than glass.

"Delivering the same vibrant taste you know and love, this eco-friendly bottle makes it easier than ever to enjoy our prosecco," the promotional material says. 

"Lightweight and portable, it’s perfect for a picnic in the park, a weekend away, or simply embracing the everyday moments worth raising a glass to."

The Brown Brothers team says the new vessel also chills faster. 

The wine is made in Victoria's King Valley and Brown Brothers says it is "a sip in the right direction when it comes from environmental impact – without compromising on flavour or quality".

The RRP for the limited-edition Prosecco Brut NV is $25. 

See https://brownfamilywines.com.au/products/aluminium-premium-prosecco-brut

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/ 

Europe set to ban single-use plastic toiletries in hotels

The European Commission is considering banning single-use plastic items in hotels.

The European Union body is talking about banning all miniature shampoo, lotion and shower gel bottles as part of new proposed rules on packaging and waste control, Travel Mole reports.

Hotels will be required to provide larger reusable pump-pack dispensers or do away with free toiletries.

“About 40% of all plastics and 50% of paper in the EU are used for packaging, according to a recent European Commission report.

“Without action, the EU would see a further 19% increase in packaging waste by 2030,” it says.

Several companies have already discontinued hotel single-use plastic items but the EU plan would mandate it across the the continent.

The proposal is set to be considered by the European Parliament soon.

The new rules will be aimed at limiting overpackaging, and ensure clear labels are on each product to support correct recycling procedures.

"For the industry, they will create new business opportunities, especially for smaller companies, decrease the need for virgin materials, boosting Europe's recycling capacity as well as making Europe less dependent on primary resources and external suppliers," the report says.

"They will put the packaging sector on track for climate neutrality by 2050."

It is a move that is part of the wider European Green Deal's Circular Economy Action Plan, which aims to make sustainable products the norm and all packaging recyclable by 2030.

The proposed ban would, of course, not affect the UK, which is no longer a member of the European Union.

Image: Jessica Lee, Scopio.