The λι 11 white, from the sustainable wine brand When in Rome, is released this week and is the first paper bottle wine to be sold in a UK mainstream supermarket. Even if the bottle gets wet, not everything is lost, says Rob Malin, the company’s founder, because the wine is safe in a recyclable plastic case. While glass bottles have been part of the tradition of wine consumption for centuries, the manufacture of the material requires huge amounts of energy at a time when companies are looking for ways to reduce the carbon footprint of their products. Glass recycling rates are also low. “Great wine does not have to come in glass bottles,” says Malin, explaining the leap of faith he asks wine drinkers to make. “Whether you drink from a glass bottle or a paper bottle, the quality of the wine is not affected.” However, he warns, do not put the paper bottle in an ice bucket. “It will soak. You must use a dry cooler. “ When he says in Rome: “Wonderful wine does not have to come in glass bottles”. Photo: When you are in Rome The bottle, made by sustainable packaging company Frugalpac, is 94% recycled paper and has a carbon footprint that is about one-sixth that of a disposable glass bottle. It currently costs about the same as a glass one, but the math is moving in its favor due to rapid glass prices as well as shortages associated with higher energy costs and the war in Ukraine, where some factories have closed. “Glass production involves huge amounts of energy, so the cost of glass bottles is skyrocketing,” said Malcolm Waugh, Frugalpac CEO. “In some cases the price is two to three times, but it depends on who you are and the type of bottle. “There is definitely an increase of 30 to 40%.” Waugh says Frugalpac sales have increased fivefold this year, with the company flooded with research into paper bottles, which can also be used for spirits and olive oil. “We have received some large orders that will be released later this year.” Subscribe to the daily Business Today email or follow the Guardian Business on Twitter at @BusinessDesk Ceri Parke, co-owner of the Cantina Goccia winery in Umbria, agrees that there is a shortage of glass and the price is going up. Her winery uses glass and paper bottles, but says: “You can not just take the glass bottles you are used to taking. For a bottling we did three weeks ago, I had to use a bottle that I would not use normally. The consumer will probably not notice the difference, but the other is not available. ” When in Rome he also tries to persuade the British to try other, greener wine cans, such as canned or canned wine. These “alt formats” unjustly have a “bad rap”, says Malin. “People think boxed wine sucks. “It’s ridiculous because most Australian wines come here in huge bags.” The paper bottle has a higher carbon footprint than its boxed wine, but Malin says it means it can “fit the glass and let the consumer decide for himself the alt-format wines”.
