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Bottling wine has been the standard method of packaging this noble beverage for centuries. However, in view of modern alternatives, the question arises as to whether this method is still up to date and what advantages other types of packaging such as stainless steel KEGs can offer.
SCHÄFER Container Systems has taken a closer look at this issue. Why should bottling wine now be outdated and KEGs be a better solution? Our blog post gives you the answer.
Bottling wine has various disadvantages, particularly with regard to the environment. The energy and material consumption for the production and recycling of glass bottles is considerable. Bottles also take up a lot of space and can easily be damaged during transport, which leads to additional costs.
Storing wine in bottles is also not ideal. The wine is sensitive to light and air, which can affect its shelf life. Corked wine bottles also have the disadvantage that the cork can release flavours into the wine.
The longer the wine remains in the bottle, the more its flavour changes. After just a few years, corked wines can become undrinkable. A typical sign of this is when the cork starts to push out of the bottle.
The use of KEGs for wine bottling offers numerous advantages. Stainless steel KEGs are more environmentally friendly as they can be refilled over several decades and therefore leave a very small CO2 footprint. In addition, their longevity means they can be perfectly integrated into a circular economy and can be 100 per cent recycled as soon as further use is no longer possible.
Thanks to the lower production, storage and transport costs, KEGs also offer economic advantages when used for bottling wine. Another strength of KEGs is quality assurance: stainless steel KEGs prevent the wine from oxidising and ensure a significantly longer shelf life for the wine. Stainless steel does not let in sunlight, prevents contact with air and does not release undesirable flavours like a cork.
Stainless steel KEGs are easier to handle and can be used flexibly, which makes them attractive for various applications - not only for storing and distributing wine, but also for catering.
KEGs are particularly practical in the catering trade. They make serving easier and avoid the need to handle bottles.
One example of the successful use of KEGs is Borough Wines in London. This company has recognised that KEGs not only increase efficiency, but also offer logistical advantages. Stainless steel KEGs protect the wine from UV radiation and transport damage after bottling, while also saving space.
These benefits have led Borough Wines to switch to KEGs and gain a competitive advantage. The easy handling of KEGs also makes serving at events and large functions easier, as there are no bottles to store or dispose of.
Another advantage is the possibility of (digital) traceability, which is guaranteed by barcodes, NFC transponders or RFID tags. This makes inventory easier and ensures that vintages of certain wines can be clearly assigned.
The longevity of KEGs is another important aspect. A stainless steel KEG has an average lifespan of 30 years or more, replacing up to 27 0.75 litre bottles per filling. This leads to a considerable reduction in CO2 and less waste.
The continuous further development of KEG technology and innovative solutions such as the nitrogen mixture as dispensing gas ensure that the wine retains its freshness and prevents unwanted oxidation. These advantages make KEGs a promising alternative for the future of wine marketing.
As you can see, KEGs offer significant advantages over traditional bottles if you are looking for a container in which to bottle your wine. KEGs are more environmentally friendly, more economical and ensure better quality assurance. Given these advantages over bottled wine, it is likely that KEGs will continue to gain ground in the wine industry.
Stainless steel KEGs are more environmentally friendly and have a low CO2 footprint. They prevent the wine from oxidising, protect it from sunlight, avoid changes in taste and ensure a longer shelf life
The production and recycling of glass bottles requires a lot of energy and materials. Transport and storage also cause high costs and environmental pollution.
KEGs make serving in the catering trade easier as there is no need to handle bottles. They are easy to handle and save space during storage and transport.
