Rewe Austria has been working on a new project for two years, and the time has finally arrived for them to start selling wine in plastic bottles. The new PET wine bottle is described as extremely light, aesthetic, handy, and unbreakable by Herbert Toifl, the managing director of the Wegenstein winery, which is a Rewe Group own brand. Around 600 predominantly Austrian winemakers supply this brand.
The production of conventional glass bottles requires gas, so they needed to find an alternative due to the energy crisis. Christoph Fingerlos, responsible quality manager at the Wegenstein winery, explains that they tested if it was possible to fill a PET bottle with alcohol and collaborated with a Vorarlberg packaging specialist to make it feasible.
The new wine bottle has several advantages over traditional glass bottles. It significantly reduces CO2 emissions and lowers transport costs due to its lighter weight. Additionally, it is recyclable. The first variety available in PET bottles is the “Heuriger 2023,” priced at 2.99 euros per bottle and sold at various grocery stores. By January 2025, these bottles will also be included in the disposable deposit system for recycling.
According to Toifl, the shelf life of the wine in these PET bottles is a maximum of two years, but they are not meant to sit on shelves for longer than three months. The potential for cheaper production might lead to lower prices in the future depending on customer feedback. Other winemakers have shown interest in this innovation, but currently only Wegenstein offers it until autumn.
In conclusion, Rewe Austria’s new PET wine bottle project aims to address environmental concerns while providing consumers with an affordable and practical solution for their wine needs. With its unique features and benefits, this innovation has already set a positive trend in the industry that other winemakers may follow soon.