Boisset Family Estates announced last week that this bold and innovative move will apply to wines from its Mommessin and Bouchard Aîné & Fils Estates.
"Were all of this year's Beaujolais Nouveau imported to North America similarly packaged in PET or other alternative packages, we estimate saving millions of pounds of greenhouse gas emissions from entering our atmosphere," says Jean-Charles Boisset, President. This will be a first time ever for this type of packaging in France for the Nouveau, he notes.
Analyses conducted by third-parties indicate that PET bottles produce 40% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a traditional bottle. It is also cheaper, resulting in an expected saving of about $1.50 per bottle. "Our Beaujolais Nouveau in PET bottles weigh a mere 22 lbs per case vs. 38 pounds for the traditional bottle- a 42% savings in shipping weight," notes Boisset. "This directly translates into fuel savings and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions."
Boisset is well-known as a pioneer and innovator in alternative packaging. It introduced 'French Rabbit' wines in Tetra Pak in the US, It has also introduced Yellow Jersey and Louis Bernard Côtes du Rhône Bonus Passus AOC in PET bottles. Mommessin Beaujolais Grande Reserve has been released in aluminium bottles
Boisset is also releasing in the US, Fog Mountain, the first California wine in PET bottles. It will be an organically produced wine.
Boisset is a family-owned producer and importer of wine and spirits. With roots in Burgundy and wineries in France and the US, Boisset is a leading producer of Pinot Noir and one of France's top wine exporters.
Boisset has been distributing Burgundy wines in India through Global Tax Free Traders. It faces tough competition from several quality producers like Albert Bichot, Joseph Drouhin, Louis Jadot, Louis Latour, Bouchard Per & Fils and Georges Duboeuf etc. Recently, it gave the distribution rights for Bouchard Aîné & Fils to UB wine division. Confirming to delWine, Jean-Charles who was visiting India last month had said that the move was to expand the base of the family wines in a planned manner so that the two distributors will promote wines of different wineries avoiding any clash in interest.
Abhay Kewadkar, the Director and Chief Wine maker of UB wines division, when contacted by delWine about this novel idea, said, 'Although we are not importing any Beaujolais this year, I would definitely support the idea. Nouveau has to be imported by air immediately after its release, and has to be drunk very young. It makes logistical sense to get it in PET bottles. However, I would not support any wine which has to stay longer than 6-9 months in the bottle, to have a plastic container.'
UB has already placed the order for a container of Burgundy and Rhone wines which are expected to arrive in a couple of weeks after which they will be formally launched.
PET may work in the US but its acceptance will follow into India after the success in the US market, since PET bottles are associated with low end, cheap table wines. |