ProWein: Premium Wine Can From Ball

25 Mar 2013 --- Joining forces with EB Secco, the specialist contract wine filler and holder of an official “Bio-Zertifikat”, Ball Packaging Europe is appearing at the international trade fair for wines and spirits, ProWein, in Düsseldorf, March 24 to 26, 2013.

In Hall 6, Stand G03/G04, Ball will be showcasing in particular its premium wine can with the “Protected Quality” mark. Cans carrying this claim offer optimum protection for wine against external influences, assuring both quality and a long shelf life.

The specially developed can from Ball is the ideal container for all wines – whether red, white, still or sparkling. At the major trade show ProWein, a dry Riesling from Rheinhessen, 2012 vintage, a lightly dry rosé, also from Rheinhessen (also 2012) and a white sparkling wine, all from EB Secco, will be showcased in the premium wine can. Connoisseurs will be invited to taste the wines at the stand. There, Antti Laakkonen, Business Manager for Alcoholic Beverages at Ball Europe GmbH, and Maril Kamp, Manager Special Can Applications at Ball Trading Netherlands B.V., will also be looking forward to engaging with trade visitors from the retail and hospitality segments in lively and interesting discussions.

Convincing quality and longevity
The “Protected Quality” seal means that the product offers three benefits: a special manufacturing process for the beverage can; each wine is quality-tested in Ball’s laboratories in the Bonn Technical Center prior to packaging; and the provision of customer support by Ball’s Technical Service team in the packaging of the wine – checking in particular compliance with the special canning parameters that assure the quality of the wine concerned. The specially developed wine cans have an increased internal coating and a thicker wall, and are sealed with their own special wine lid. Thus the “Protected Quality” mark from Ball serves as a guarantee for the consistent quality of the wine, with a shelf life of at least twelve months.

One of the fillers selected by Ball as offering the high technical standards required is EB Secco from Wörrstadt in Germany. The company carries a “Bio-Zertifikat” (organic certificate), specifically uses the beverage can for its products and is particularly appreciative of the outstanding barrier properties of this convenient packaging. The can keeps both light and oxygen away from the contents and thus offers optimum protection of especially delicate beverages – such as wine – against deleterious external influences.

New consumer and market segments
The European market for canned wine is showing promising development. Each year, the segment grows by ten to fifteen percent. In addition, beverage can manufacturers are predicting sales of 150 million cans of wine across Europe in 2013, with sparkling wines accounting for over 60 percent. Consumers are particularly attracted by the small “single serve” sizes. These 20 cl or 25 cl (6.8-oz. or 8.5-oz.) wine cans are ideally tailored to a consumer’s needs and aligned specifically to the young adult demographic. This target group of 18 to 35 year olds is attracted by innovative, practical and trend-setting drinks, but is not part of the traditional wine drinker community. Unbreakable, easy to chill and light in weight, premium wine cans are the ideal alternative for those wishing to enjoy a high-quality tipple when out an about – on a trip or having a picnic.

Wine in cans is also of interest to the travel industry. The single serve cans are easy to stack and transport thanks to their cylindrical shape and flat lid. Whether airline, railway franchise or cruise company, all find that canned wine is a good travel companion. And wine cans are also a popular alternative in hotel minibars, with business travelers often preferring to consume single serve quantities.