First English wine in paper bottle launches in the UK

Specialist online retailer The English Vine has launched what it claims is the first paper bottle for English wine to house its own range of wines made in Essex.

The ‘Frugal Bottle’ is made in the UK by sustainable packaging firm Frugalpac and is five times lighter than a glass bottle with an 84% lower carbon footprint.

Inside the paper packaging is a recyclable food grade pouch to keep the wine sealed and secure.

The introduction of the paper bottle is part of the Essex-based retailer and producer’s aim to sell all of its wines in non-glass bottles by 2026.

According to the retailer, a recent poll by Survation of 1,700 UK wine drinkers found that 63% of those surveyed would buy wine housed in a paper bottle.

“As winemakers, we have a responsibility to make positive steps towards more environmentally friendly methods in winemaking. Packaging is a good place to start, as apart from in certain areas of winemaking where glass bottling in required, there is no reason not to make this change other than misplaced preconceptions about packaging for wine,” said The English Vine founder, Neil Walker.

“Consumers often view the non-glass packaged options of wine as lower quality, perhaps because in the past it’s fair to say there were some more mass-produced, lower quality wines that have used this form of packaging.

“However, we want to lead the way to show that your wine will be just as enjoyable and high quality in a more environmentally friendly packaging, such as our new paper bottles,” he added.

The English Vine will also be rolling out is the bottomless bottle service in Essex this summer using its electric wine van.

“Think milk float, but with wine. We’ve created a service which we’ll be offering to local Essex customers, who can use our refillable bottles, and we’ll refill them direct from kegs in the van and deliver them to the customer’s door and collect their empties,” Walker said.

“Our aim is to be 100% non-glass packaging over the next five years. We now need our customers to come along with us on this journey and help break down those preconceptions about non-glass packaging for wine.

“We’re hopeful that with an increasing number of people more aware about the carbon footprint of a glass bottle of wine, many will be supportive in this step forward. We’re proud to be leading the way in sustainability for wine packaging in the UK,” he added.