Definition: other packaging

At Vinexpo 2007, aluminium cans were on display in some aisles, offering an alternative to small bottles or cartons.
The development of snacking habits, the search for convenience and formats adapted to the quantity consumed, and the ubiquity of cans in Western societies are undoubtedly very good commercial arguments in theory. But what about in practice?

Pink Grap: Bruno Aouanes believes in responding to this strong growth in snacking. He has created Pink Grap, an aluminium can with a sleek design, the contents of which took a year of thought and research to develop. A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, this Bordeaux wine was selected for its smoothness, lightness and fruitiness, bearing in mind that this type of packaging is generally intended for immediate consumption, even though it offers "the same preservation qualities as a bottle", insists its creator. He entrusted the design of this 25cl can to young designers, but there was no question of giving in to fantasy.
"Our aim was to remain classic, to reproduce the look of a high-quality product," explains Bruno Aouanes. Although Pink Grap does not target a specific customer base, but rather specific moments of consumption, it may be more readily accepted for export initially. In fact, the Spanish company Bodegas Elosegi in San Sebastian distributes Pink Grap in Europe. Vinexpo has enabled the company to establish contacts further afield, particularly in the United States, where the retail price is around €2.50. For the time being, the can is sold individually, but Bruno Aouanes hopes to market multipacks.
Other projects currently under consideration include the launch of a sangria and a white wine, which is much more difficult to package in cans. Although this type of packaging has been around for a number of years, service providers are not yet accustomed to it and certain technical problems may persist. Despite this, the technical progress already made and new trends in occasional, individual and snacking consumption, etc., encourage Bruno Aouanes to continue and develop his project with confidence. For more information, please contact Pink Grap at the following web address:
http://pinkgrap.com/WordPress/

Otherwine: individuality above all else - The "squat" format was chosen by the VinyRoussillon company in Alénya in the Pyrénées-Orientales for its "Otherwine" brand.
Still packaged in 25cl cans, "Otherwine" places greater emphasis on the individual nature of consuming this type of product. The range includes three Vin de Pays d'Oc blends, a red, a white and a rosé, and while the design is in keeping with the same classic spirit as "Pink Grap", it takes a more irreverent approach. Colour-coded slogans emphasise the individuality of drinking wine in small quantities: independent white, narcissistic red and singular rosé. The can contains the equivalent of two glasses of wine and retails for between €1.75 and €2.80 depending on the distribution channels and markets.
Launched in May 2007, "Otherwine" is already sold in certain delicatessens in Paris and in the GMS network and local convenience stores. Following a presentation at SIAL, the brand is also distributed in all three colours in Belgium, where it is sold in delicatessens, wine bars, convenience stores and DVD shops. An initial run of 60,000 units was produced, divided equally between the three colours, and contacts have been made with operators in Great Britain, Ireland, Holland and Barcelona in Spain. "We chose the 33 cl cut format because it is easy to hold and because this format is already well known, but not in the wine sector," explains Patrick Margat, the company's manager. "We also wanted to differentiate ourselves from energy drinks." VinyRoussillon has been involved in the processing, preparation and packaging of bottled and bag-in-box wines for over 20 years and therefore had the technical environment necessary to consider this type of packaging, even if it had to purchase a dedicated production line. Depending on its commercial development, the brand could subsequently be available in other forms of packaging, such as bottles or bag-in-box®, and the company is currently working on new packaging designs in order to offer different labels depending on its commercial partners. For more information, please contact Otherwine at the following web address:
http://www.otherwine.fr/fr/index.html

Kapsi®:
A new way of presenting and consuming spirits. Kapsi® are mini 5 ml capsules of high-quality alcohol, fun in their shapes, attractive in their colours and pleasant to the touch.
Kapsi® is divided into two families: Kapsi® Tradition, with a design representing the fruit and its flavour, and Kapsi® Design, a sleek model that uses colour codes to suggest the flavour.
While Kapsi® Tradition is recognisable for its authenticity, Kapsi® Design is more trendy. Kapsi® in general is a mass-market product that is user-friendly and modernises the distribution of spirits. Packaged in trendy 5 ml capsules, Kapsi® is a product for both discerning connoisseurs and customers new to spirits. Associated with various flavour concepts, it adds a special touch to the presentation of dishes and decoration.
They could almost be mistaken for scented soap capsules for the bath. In fact, they are digestif (brandy) pods containing 5 ml of alcohol. These small plastic containers are easy to open (simply by removing the cap) and are not fragile. Kapsi France has focused on the more user-friendly aspect of these new-generation mignonettes. Two ranges have been developed, playing on shapes (pear, apple, raspberry, mirabelle plum, plum) and colours (red, green, purple, orange) to suggest the flavours of the brandies.
How can they be enjoyed? These mini capsules, which combine aesthetics, user-friendliness and flavour, can be enjoyed in a variety of ways: added to coffee, soft drinks and fruit juices for flavour, in cocktails to enhance the flavour, or simply to flavour a dessert (sorbet, red fruits, cake, etc.).
For more information, please contact Kapsi France at the following web address:
http://www.kapsifrance.com/fr/concept-kapsi.html

Bag-in-Box: "to each his own glass".
Another innovation set to revolutionise home wine cellars: the Bag-in-Box. This worthy successor to the old "cubitainer" is a cardboard box containing a perfectly sealed bag with a capacity equivalent to four 75cl bottles. It preserves the flavour of the wine and allows for quick serving. Simply place your glass under the small built-in tap, press the button and the wine flows at your convenience. More and more châteaux are adopting this practical and modern new concept: Bordeaux, Médoc, Monbazillac and other clairets are now also distributed in Bag-in-Boxes. This should please occasional consumers or simply those who do not necessarily want to finish the bottle after opening it, as it is a way of avoiding abuse and
waste. However, we note that not being able to see the level of liquid in the packaging, as is the case with a bottle, can actually lead to excessive consumption!

Sopardis Glass by Glass Collection
For more information, please visit the website at: http://www.sopardis.fr

SOPARDIS sells wines from independent winegrowers in Bag In Box ® packaging. This magical container allows for moderate, everyday consumption of quality wines without waste. Our philosophy: to establish an ethical, sustainable business with a fair trade focus.
Our Glass by Glass Collection presents more than 60 wines from over 30 appellations in the catalogue section.
For consumers with an average age of 35.
Why offer wines from Château Propriétaires Récoltants in BIBs?
Because out of 30 million French wine consumers, only 10% open a bottle during the week.
What is a bag in box®?
It is a cardboard container fitted with a bag made of several layers of film, which is completely airtight. The tap for serving wine by the glass is an integral part of the container (no need to open the box to check!). Filled under vacuum, this retractable bag preserves all the organoleptic qualities of the wine, which is protected from oxygen and light.
Is the wine as good as in bottles?
Yes, because it is not the container that makes the wine, but the winemaker. If the wine is good before it is packaged, it will be good regardless of the container (bottle, half bottle, magnum, BIB).
What are the advantages of bag-in-box packaging?
• Anti-waste
Under normal storage conditions (temperature below 20°C), once opened, the BIB will keep the wine for several months. Unopened, it can be stored for between 10 months (for whites and rosés) and 15 months (for reds).
• Lightweight, practical, safe
Equivalent in volume to 4 75 cl bottles or 25 12 cl glasses, the 3-litre BIB is lightweight, compact and not very fragile. Its shape allows it to be stored in the refrigerator door (white, rosé, sweet wine - always ready for an aperitif, for example), and the risk of the wine becoming "corked" is eliminated.
• Fun and friendly
Its small capacity combined with its "anti-waste" aspect allows you to vary your pleasures. You can have two or three BIBs of different appellations open at the same time at home to suit different tastes or different food pairings.
• Moderate consumption
You no longer have to finish a bottle or refrain from opening one... You can enjoy a glass at a time, in a relaxed and moderate manner.
What about serving wine?
On a daily basis, if you are alone or with one other person, you can pour wine by the glass directly from the bag-in-box. When dining with friends, you can put the wine on the table in a carafe.
Who drinks wine from a BIB?
Of the 30 million people in France who say they like wine, only 10% open a bottle during the week. For us, the BIB is a way of meeting the expectations of the 90% of people who do not accompany their daily meals with a glass of wine! In fact, these 90% of potential consumers are afraid of the waste associated with opening a bottle and feeling obliged to finish it! The fact that BIBs preserve wine perfectly for several months also offers the advantage of being able to vary the pleasures and cater to the different tastes of a family. It doesn't matter if three different BIBs are opened at the same time, as they can be stored.
You may enjoy a glass of sweet wine as an aperitif, you may prefer white or rosé, or you may only like red wine, but BIB offers all these possibilities without any second thoughts. In addition to colour, you can also vary the appellations. In short, "Collection Verre Après Verre" offers freedom, diversity and pleasure.
Why the name "Collection Verre après Verre"?
Because we wanted to find a brand name that speaks for itself and explains both its use and its diversity to consumers: Collection (to indicate that there are several châteaux under the visual presented) Glass After Glass (to explain that the wine can be consumed by the glass).
What is the ideal temperature for storing a BIB?
Just like a bottle, wine in a BIB does not like heat or temperature fluctuations. Room temperature in a home or restaurant is therefore suitable for red wines, while white and rosé wines should be stored in a cool place, such as a refrigerator.
Are you distributed to restaurants?
Yes, Châteaux en Bag in Box wines are perfect for serving wine by the glass in restaurants. In record time, restaurateurs can offer an extensive and diverse wine list by the glass. The price of a glass of wine is well suited to a lunchtime meal, but also to the moderation imposed on us by the responsibility of driving home after lunch. We can still enjoy ourselves.
What type of wine goes with cheese?
The answer is that it depends on the cheese! We are often mistakenly accustomed to pairing cheese with red wine, but sweet wines with blue cheeses, for example, are particularly surprising and a real treat for the palate!
Is a bag-in-box the same thing as a Cubitainer?
A bag-in-box is a smart Cubitainer, a tool of the third millennium. It differs from a Cubitainer in that it is anti-waste and preserves the integrity of the wine. Thanks to it, we no longer have to "draw" the precious beverage to bottle it at home. You can serve it by the glass or in a carafe, without any deterioration for several weeks after opening.
What developments can we see?
In recent years, we have seen real marketing efforts to attract new consumers, particularly young people, a target group that has been largely overlooked by the wine industry and is yet to be conquered.
Although this trend first emerged outside the French market, it has gradually spread to our territory. There are more and more examples of attempts to attract a young, trendy clientele who are less interested in grand speeches about terroir than in the image of the products they consume. We are thus witnessing a rejection of elitism and incomprehensible advice about wine tasting, and an expectation of a simple wine with an easily identifiable taste, packaged in a traditional bottle with an original label.
Why young vintages in BIBs?
Because today's winemakers, at the cutting edge of winemaking, harvest grapes at perfect maturity, we are able to offer you wines that do not need to age. Did you know that 25 years ago, grapes were harvested when they were much less ripe and that destemming was not very common? For these reasons in particular, the wines of that era were more acidic and only a more or less long ageing period in bottles could remove some of their greenness.
Why are there great appellations in BIB?
What a joy it is today, thanks to this magical container, to be able to drink a glass of Château d'Eck 2004 (Pessac Léognan) followed by a glass of Château Moutinot 2005 (St Estèphe) and finally a glass of Château de Géraud 2004 (Monbazillac). This is the privilege offered by Collection Verre Après Verre, whereas alone or with a partner, you would not have opened three bottles!
Remember...
It is not the bottle that makes the wine, but the winemaker. An excellent wine will remain excellent regardless of its packaging, while a mediocre wine in a beautiful bottle adorned with an attractive label will remain mediocre, even after ageing.
Source: Vinexpo 2007
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