This week’s Vessel Sustainable Wine Fair in Islington gave me pause for thought. I meet wine makers and distributors equally passionate about wine and sustainability and I tasted some great wines.  I wondered whether I (I suspect like many other wine lovers) have been too quick to dismiss wine packaged in alternative formats?

The image of a glass wine bottle, corked, labelled, and gently sweating in a cool cellar, is ingrained in our collective wine consciousness. But while beautiful, the traditional bottle is far from benign. In fact, the production and shipping of glass bottles contribute a disproportionately high share of wine’s overall carbon footprint. Heavy, fragile, and energy-intensive to produce, glass packaging is one of the most environmentally taxing aspects of modern winemaking. As the industry searches for greener alternatives, a host of smart, sustainable packaging solutions are gaining traction, not just for the planet, but for our pockets and lifestyles, too.

Here’s an overview:

PET Bottles
Lightweight, shatterproof and recyclable, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles dramatically cut emissions during transport, thanks to being up to 90% lighter than glass, and cost significantly less to produce. However, their permeability to oxygen means they’re best suited to wines designed for short-term enjoyment, typically within 6–12 months of bottling. The Wine Society, after extensive trials of alternative formats, now offers flat PET bottles for several of its wines, optimising both shelf space and environmental impact. While they still carry a perception hurdle with traditionalists, PET bottles are gaining favour among everyday drinkers seeking lighter footprints without sacrificing flavour.

Aluminium Cans
Wine in a can might still raise eyebrows among purists, but the popularity of their eye catching graphics, especially with younger and casual drinkers, is undeniable. Cans are ultra-light, fully recyclable, and offer the ultimate in portion control and portability. They chill quickly and are perfect for picnics, concerts, and midweek sipping without committing to a full bottle. Shelf life typically ranges from 12–18 months, ideal for most fresh, fruit-driven styles. While fine Burgundy in a can may never catch on, this format has found a clear place in the modern wine landscape, breaking down barriers with its convenience and accessibility.

Bag-in-Box
Once a symbol of bargain-basement wine, bag-in-box (BiB) has undergone a quiet revolution. Today’s BiB wines are often well-sourced, thoughtfully made, and remarkably sustainable. The format consists of a plastic bladder inside a cardboard box, which collapses as wine is dispensed, minimising oxidation and keeping wine fresh for up to six weeks after opening, brilliant for drinking a glass at time. Unopened, they can last 6–12 months. However I tasted a pinot noir that had been stored for 2 years at Vessel and it was in great shape. With lower packaging-to-wine ratios and reduced transport emissions, BiB is one of the greenest ways to package wine. The Wine Society now offers an impressive range of BiB wines, showing that good wine doesn’t need glass to deliver quality. Consumer perception is shifting too, especially among environmentally aware and value-driven buyers.  At Vessel Le Grappin were showing a range of delicious Burgundy wines in a very smart looking ‘Bagnum’, basically the bag without the box.

Tetra Pak
Tetra Paks, paper-based cartons familiar from juice aisles, are becoming a practical option for entry-level wines. Lightweight, compact, and cheap to produce, they offer a low-impact alternative to glass. Their recyclability depends on local infrastructure, which can be a drawback, but their portability and convenience are appealing. Shelf life is 6-12 months. While still limited in consumer popularity, they’re gaining ground among producers aiming to reach new, sustainability-minded markets.

Kegs
Mostly found in restaurants and wine bars, reusable stainless steel kegs eliminate packaging waste almost entirely. A single keg can replace dozens of bottles and dramatically reduce cost and emissions over time. Wines stay fresh for up to two months once tapped, making them ideal for by-the-glass service. Though upfront investment and dispensing equipment are required, kegs are making appearances at refill shops and festivals. As the infrastructure grows, we may see this model expand into more consumer-facing settings.

The truth is, only 10–15% of wines globally are made for long-term aging. The vast majority are intended for enjoyment within a year or two of bottling, at their freshest, brightest and most expressive. For these wines, the traditional bottle is more about habit than necessity. By embracing more sustainable packaging like PET, cans, BiB, and Tetra Paks, we can preserve the pleasure of wine while reducing its environmental impact, and often, the cost. The future of wine doesn’t need to be corked and glassed. It just needs to be thoughtful, delicious, and a little lighter on the Earth.

After all the most important wine vessel is actually a nice long stemmed wine glass for most wine how it got there is less important.

For more about Vessel Sustainable Wine Fair follow this link.