Wine merchant targets outdoor market with PET bottles

UK wine merchant Roger Harris Wines (RHW) is targeting two new ranges bottled in multi-layer PET bottles at outdoor consumption and retailers looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Norfolk-based RHW said the PET bottles kept the wines fresh for two years and were 100% recyclable. They are also 35% lighter than a 465g, 75cl glass bottle, that the firm said was the equivalent of loading 10,000 more bottles onto a container.

RHW sales director Clare Montgomery said consumer research carried out in October found that participants only realised the bottles were not glass when they picked them up.

"They found both ranges were ideal for those wanting to grab a bottle of wine to take home or out and about as they are lighter to carry. And they won't break or clank in shopping bags," she said.

Two wines are available – La Perle by Paul Sapin from France and South African wine Khulu Sky.

APPE makes and blows the pre-forms in facilities in Belgium and France on Sidel equipment. The material is made of a layer of resin and barrier material Bindox sandwiched between two layers of PET.

The bottle provides a complete mechanical barrier to oxygen and taste tests found no difference between the wine in the PET bottles and in glass.

"On the shelf, the bottle looks just like glass, yet it won't break and has a [recyclable PE] screw cap making it quick and easy to serve and then reseal. "The wine is perfect for venues that have outside bar and drinking areas," said Montgomery.