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May 15, 2010: Wine stored in plastic bottles and boxes loses
its flavour within six months
Wine stored in plastic bottles and boxes loses its freshness within six months, new research revealed today. The flavour and chemical composition of white wine changes within half a year of being packaged in plastic bottles or the bags used inside boxes of wine, a year-long study concluded. Researchers at the Institute of Vine and Wine Sciences (ISW) in Bordeaux, France, found that the alcohol starts to oxidise in this time period if it is packed in single and multi-layer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles or a bag-in-box. The wine, however, was found to remain stable in glass bottles. Red wine was also more stable in the glass packaging, the study said. This contradicts claims made by high street retailers including Marks & Spencer and Waitrose on the long shelf-life of increasingly popular plastic packaging. Both stores have launched wines in the format for the summer season, claiming environmental benefits due to their lighter weight when compared to glass bottles. The ISVV scientists tested both red and white Bordeaux wines which were packed in a range of glass, single-layer PET, multi-layer PET and bag-in-box packaging and then stored in laboratory conditions. They then tested the level of oxygen, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide in the wine, as well as its taste and colour intensity, at regular intervals over the year. While gas levels and the taste of white wine were found to changed in the plastic and bag-in-box packs over the year, there was little change in the red wine. The ISVV is planning to continue testing into a second
year.
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'It is now necessary to establish the truth, based on scientific information and quantitative data, to determine the legitimacy of each package, as its main function is to preserve the flavour and characteristics of its content.' The study has been published in trade magazine Packaging News just a week before the London International Wine Fair and comes at a time when major retailers are looking to PET bottles as a lightweight alternative to glass. Marks & Spencer last week launched a range of 19 wines in mini 25cl multi-layer PET bottles, saying that the wines were guaranteed to stay fresh for 12 months. Waitrose has also launched two of its wines in PET bottles that it is aiming at the outdoor summer market, especially festivals such as the Henley Regatta and Glastonbury. Waitrose wine buyer Nick Room said the bottles of South African wine brand Khula Sky's Shiraz and Chenin Blanc had a shelf-life that was guaranteed for 12 months and have been proven for 24 months. He said the shelf-life of the format, which includes an oxygen barrier, highlighted 'that the product is as good as glass for wine quality'. 'Wine-drinkers can be quite precious about compromising taste and quality, which is something we have been very careful to ensure doesn't happen with the new plastic packaging,' he said. Daily Mail Reporter
Προσθήκη:
15/5/2010 Για παλαιότερες δημοσιεύσεις κάντε κλικ εδώ. |
