Glass has always played a dominant role in alcoholic drinks, with beer and wine making up 90% of global glass bottle volumes in 2012 sold through the retail channel. In the wine category, the traditional quality nature of glass has remained an asset. To date, a number of niche packaging types have failed to make an impact in wine, but with improvements in technology and changing consumer habits and perception, glass is increasingly being challenged.
In volume terms, the global wine industry amounted to 21 billion units of glass bottles in 2012. Still light grape wine (red, white and rosé) makes up a significant 72% of this volume with, also true for sparkling wine, the majority still being consumed amongst “old world” wine producing countries. Non-grape wine in glass, in particular rice-based varieties, is by contrast most prominent in Asia Pacific.
