Meet the new wine trend set to make a sales impact

People pour their wine from glass bottles of various sizes, from casks, pouches, cans, and even paper containers.

Now aluminium bottles are the latest trend in wine packaging.

There are growing moves to change the way wine is packaged and sold to reduce its environmental impact by using aluminium bottles instead of glass.

Bogle Family Wine Collection in the US unveiled 750ml aluminium wine bottles that are lightweight, recyclable, and constructed in the shape of a traditional wine bottle a couple of years ago.

Element[AL] Wines are sold in 100% recyclable aluminium bottles for $US14.  

“Element[AL] is more than just the launch of a new wine brand, it’s the beginning of a new way of thinking for the wine industry,” said Jody Bogle, VP of consumer relations at Bogle Family Wine Collection.

“We began by looking for ways to lightweight our existing glass bottles, and that led to a more radical approach that we feel consumers are ready to embrace.”

And trade publication the drinks business this week reported that two major brands in Europe have officially unveiled wines in aluminium bottles, with more expected to come.

Canned wine brand Vinca is releases wine in brightly printed aluminium bottles (above).

The 750ml wine bottles contain and organic white (made from Sicilian-grown catarratto grapes) and a syrah/Nero d’Avola blend.

Vinca’s initial pre-sale of 100 gift sets (offering both wines for £20) sold out within 24 hours and the wines are now on sale via Vinca’s website www.vincawine.com and Tesco stores. The wines will cost £9.

Supermarket chain Aldi has announced that its own-label The Costellore Pinot Grigio (£5.99) will be sold in an aluminium bottle from Monday.

Both Vinca and Aldi have touted the many positives of using aluminium. For starters, Vinca says, the material is “infinitely recyclable” without impacting the quality of the aluminium. Every gram of its bottle, so the brand says, is made from recycled aluminium.

What’s more, both companies claim aluminium bottles are significantly less carbon-intensive to make than glass bottles.

“Because they weigh just 68g, they cut carbon emissions at every step,” Vinca said.

Additionally, Aldi has declared that its aluminium bottle is stronger than its glass counterparts, despite being “75% lighter than a standard glass bottle” at just 95g.

“Our buying teams are constantly exploring ways to offer greater value and greener choices for our customers,” said Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer at Aldi UK.

“We are looking for ways to make a difference, and we’re proud to be leading the

One consumer concern might be how effective an aluminium bottle is at keeping the wine inside fresh, but Vinca’s bottles feature a special lining which it says does the job well. The B-Corp-certified company further says that its aluminium bottles are “five times faster to chill than glass.”

The argument goes that aluminium cools faster than glass because it has a higher thermal conductivity.

An interesting development. 

Winemaker wants you to drop an ice cube into a glass of his wines

It's OK to drop a cube of ice into your glass of wine on a warm day, one leading winemaker says. 

But not all wines - just fresh, crisp white wines. 

 
"Some wine enthusiasts might scoff, some may question me, but once you try it this summer, I bet you'll be on board." says veteran winemaker David Lowe, formerly of the Hunter Valley and now based in Mudgee at Lowe Family Wines. 

"What am I referring to you? Popping a large ice cube in your glass of white wine this summer. 

"Now, I'm not claiming this is a new trick, and there's plenty of wine out there where if you add an ice cube to it, yes it will chill it, but in doing so it also compromises the structure, flavour and alcohol of the wine through dilution. 

"What I'm banging on about, after much experimentation, is that I have found two varieties that are not diminished when I put an ice cube or two in the glass: ansonica (also called inzolia) and vermentino, both from the 2023 vintage.

"The ice chills the wine, whilst keeping the same aroma and intensity of colour, and the taste is just as good, maybe even better. If you're a non- believer, I challenge you to grab a bottle."

Of course, it just so happens that Lowe makes an ansonica and a vermentino that he would very much like to sell to you. 

But it is also a reminder than wine snobbery can also be foolish and self-defeating. 

Are you ready to enjoy your wine from a bagnum?

Looking for a wine to take to the beach, or on a picnic?

Bottles are heavy, casks can be unwieldy. So how about a bagnum? 

Wines from Wolf Blass and Squealing Pig - both part of the Treasury Wine Estates stable - are now available in 1.5-litre carry bags, which have been dubbed bagnums as they contain the same amount of wine as two bottles.

The bagnums are lightweight and easy to carry and designed for summer entertaining. The blurb says they "offer convenience that doesn’t compromise on the quality".

You can also easily take home whatever wine is left over and pop it back into the fridge  

The Squealing Pig wines are a sauvignon blanc and a pinot gris.

Wolf Blass, meanwhile, has produced three varietals in a 1.5-litre format, including Wolf Blass Chardonnay, Wolf Blass Shiraz Cabernet and Wolf Blass Cabernet Sauvignon.

The wines are described as "soft and approachable". I'll report back after I have tried them.

The bagnums are billed as having seven times lower carbon emissions than a traditional 750ml glass bottle and it is easier throw one into the esky than two glass bottles.

“The Squealing Pig style has always been to produce approachable, flavour-packed, fun wines," says Kaushik Lal, Squealing Pig’s senior brand manager.

"The expansion into Bagnums felt like a natural extension for this already playful and irreverent brand."

Shehan Ananthakumar, Wolf Blass’ senior brand manager, said: "“When it came to an iconic brand like Wolf Blass, it gave us the perfect platform to play in this category as its reputation for quality, character and exceptional winemaking can be extended into a valued product that will be enjoyed by all and for all occasions.”

Bagnums are available exclusively to Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores and are priced beteeen $28-$32. 

UPDATE: I have sampled the full range and there are two standouts. The sauvignon blanc is impressively bright and varietal - a terrific summer wine. The Wolf Blass cabernet sauvignon is of excellent quality and maintained its appeal a week after being opened. 

French producers turn to gluggable chilled red wines

French winemakers and merchants are turning to chilled red wines - unusual in France - as a way to increase revenues. 

Despite many French drinkers being very traditional in their approach, a new wave of French reds is designed to be enjoyed as young and at the same temperature as rosés, wine industry newsletter Vitisphere reported this week. 

New ways of presenting wines can result in new customers, says Jerome Busato, who served his red wine served at 10°C in a bucket filled with ice at Inter Rhône wine bar in Avignon. 

"It's the wine that I sold the most during this evening when I presented my range of Côtes du Rhône wines," says the owner of organic producer Château Cohola in the delightful village of Sablet. 

This cuvée is called Fruit and is vinified to be drunk chilled.

“In summer, tourists are more likely to choose rosés and whites than reds, which nevertheless constitute the heart of our production," says Busato. 

"So, two years ago, with my wife, we decided to offer them a cuvée to drink during their holidays. It was a real success. 

"Customers who buy a bottle come back to take a box. The return rate is truly amazing!"

And at €11 a bottle there is money to be made in chilled reds. 

Maison Laurent Brotte in Châteauneuf-du-Pape has just launched its Rouge Frigo, a Côtes-du-Rhône rouge with an alcohol content of 12.5°, designed to be drunk chilled as its name proclaims. See www.rougefrigo.com/ 

“We want to find the moments of consumption such as the aperitif, the grills, the unstructured meals”, says winery commercial director Thibault Brotte. 

Rouge Frigo sells for €5.95. 

"We have never had so much interest in a product launch," says Brotte. 

In Bordeaux, too, the machine is in motion. 

The Larraqué Vins International group has created a red called Hors-Piste (off the track), a cabernet franc with an alcohol content of 12.5°. 

“Rosés are doing well and now almost all year round,” says observes Grégoire Delangre, the company's communications manager. "We think there's a place for fresh drinking reds." 

Main [hoto by Marie Dashkova on Scopio

Brown Brothers unveils a $20 pinot noir

A pinot noir from a "big name" wine producer for under $20? Pretty rare. 

Brown Brothers has expanded its refreshed Classic range with the launch of Brown Brothers Classic Pinot Noir, marking the first time in decades the 137-year-old family winery has introduced a pinot noir on a major scale.

With an RRP of $20, the new release targets one of Australia’s fastest-growing red wine segments. 

Consumer demand for lighter-bodied, fresher and more versatile red wines continues to drive the growth of pinot noir across the Australian wine category, as drinkers increasingly seek reds that feel approachable, modern and suited to a broader range of occasions, the Brown Brothers winemaking team says. 

This shift is helping to:

• Divert drinkers from heavier red styles

• Increase purchase frequency through more flexible drinking occasions

• Reduce shopper risk through familiar varietals and trusted brands

• Drive incremental growth within the red wine category

The fruit for the 2025 vintage is grown in cool-climate vineyards in Victoria including the King Valley.

I've asked for a sample to try and will update soon. 

Brown Brothers Classic Pinot Noir and the refreshed Classic range are available nationally at participating retailers and online at brownbrothers.com.au.