Skip navigation
Reports & Analysis Strategic Insights Research Subscriptions
Sign In / Create Account Cart
Sign In / Create Account Cart
  • Reports & Analysis
  • Strategic Insights
  • Research Subscriptions

Resources

  • Analyst Buzz
  • Press Releases
  • Blog
  • Resources & Downloads

The Freedonia Group

  • Contact
  • About
  • Our Staff
  • Help Center
  • Career Opportunities
Freedonia Market Research Analyst Buzz Week 32 - 2023 Glass v. plastic wine bottles

Week 32 - 2023 Glass v. plastic wine bottles – sustainability, portability, and sticky consumer perceptions

by Freedonia Industry Studies

August 7, 2023

The Freedonia Group Analyst Buzz: A Conversation About Wine Bottles

Glass v. plastic wine bottles – sustainability, portability, and sticky consumer perceptions


The article that started the conversation: https://www.packagingdive.com/news/rpet-wine-bottle-amcor-plastic-ron-rubin-CO2-emissions/688809/ -- “Move over, glass: Amcor’s new wine bottle is 100% recycled PET”

Plastic wine bottles have a market presence in several major wine markets in Europe and elsewhere. The US has remained stubbornly resistant to wine that isn't in a glass bottle - bag-in-box and cans and such are here, but not to the extent they're seen elsewhere.

I'm doing what I can - I did buy BIB wine on my way home yesterday.

But is that because they've only been offered cheaper table wine in plastic bottles? If major high-end wine makers went plastic, would that change perceptions?

They want to do more e-commerce shipments and plastic is definitely better suited to e-commerce than glass.

Also what if people are shopping online and they don't even see that it is in a plastic bottle until it arrives (or is picked up curb-side)… will they care or is it just something still important to in-store shoppers who are looking at the shelf and are thinking more visually than any other type of shopper?

Maybe. Bag-in-box got sort of a lousy rep because - for a long time - only low end wine was all that was available. It's not really true anymore, but the packaging format still playing catch-up.

What about product degradation? Isn’t that a roadblock still to adoption of plastic on the wine maker side?

Contrary to some consumer perception, sommeliers say that few wines are improved beyond 18 months and even fewer beyond 5 years.

While the stuff in fancy people's cellars will probably be glass (with a natural cork), most everyday wine - even higher-end wines that aren't intended for the cellar – would be fine.

Many top California wineries have moved to screwcaps because they work better for wines meant to be drunk young.

For more information see our  Packaging landing page and Packaging Sustainability report and Beverage Packaging Consumer Insights report. 
 

Have unique research needs?

Freedonia Strategic Insights listens intently to your needs and objectives. Then we work diligently to define and deliver a service to meet them.
Learn About Our Custom Research Services

Subscribe to Our Blog

Stay up to date with the latest information about new market research and news in areas relevant to your business from our analysts and team members.

Freedonia Group Blog Subscription

Provide the following details to subscribe.

The Freedonia Group needs the contact information you provide to us to contact you about our products and services. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For information on how to unsubscribe, as well as our privacy practices and commitment to protecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy.
  • Contact
  • About
  • Help Center
  • Career Opportunities
  • Press Contact
  • User Agreement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map

Additional Resources

  • Market Size Resources
  • Lawn & Garden Market Research
  • Roofing Market Research
  • Pet Products Market Research
  • Countertops Market Research
  • Power Tools Market Research
  • Publishing for the PreK-12 Market Research
  • Insulation Market Resaerch
  • Cabinets Market Research
  • Flooring Market Research
  • Pet Supplements Market Research
  • Agricultural Equipment Market Research
  • Open Access Publishing Market Research
  • Silicones Market Research
  • For Legal Inquiries, contact Cohen & Cohen
Copyright © 2025 The Freedonia Group, Inc. All rights reserved.