The Grapevine

Wine-Industry News – October 12, 2015

October 12th, 2015

Counterfeit wines in China, marijuana-infused wine, and alternative packaging. [level-members]

Counterfeit Wines in China
Wine Spectator asks: how big is China’s counterfeit wine problem? The answer: big. Really, really big. A French group, the Wine & Spirits Commission estimates that for every real bottle of French wine in China, there is at least one counterfeit bottle. Even accounting for some bias on the part of the French group, that is still a staggering issue to be dealt with. Read the full story here.

Alternatives to Glass Bottles for Wine
According to The Drinks Report, Bronco Wine is field testing plastic bottles. Known as PET – the type of plastic the bottles are made of – the new packaging is considerably lighter than traditional glass bottles. This makes the greener and more economic alternative. Shipping is less expensive and has a smaller carbon footprint.

The field testing is underway in Trader Joe’s stores throughout the U.S.

The bottle includes a recycling friendly aluminum closure specially designed for the bottle.

Read the full article here.

The Weed / Wine Connection
Has there ever been anything more inevitable than a weed/wine connection now that marijuana legalization is moving ahead broadly?

Pot brownies and other edibles aren’t enough. Now manufacturers are exploring the possibilities for weed-unused wine. To be clear, grapes are still involved. And the point isn’t to get stoned and drunk in one quick motion. Though we don’t imagine any product marketing will play that angle down … Read the full article here.

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