Special Winter Treats Now Conveniently Packaged in Aseptic Carton Packs

The Wolfra winter specialities are all alcohol-free, and are available in the aseptic carton pack combifitPremium with screw cap combiSwift in the varieties Glühfein (based on the classic German Glühwein, with a hint of tangerine), Bavarian Winter Apple, Bavarian Winter Plum, Fruit Punch and Feuerzangenbowle and a special punch created for children.

Oct 21 2011 --- A hot drink after a long winter walk is good for the soul, warming you from the inside out. And special winter treats such as punches, mulled wines and 'Feuerzangenbowle' now come mixed ready to drink and conveniently packaged in aseptic carton packs. If stored unopened, the drinks will keep for long periods without refrigeration and can easily be kept in the pantry, so they are ready to hand at a moment's notice, whenever you need something warm and comforting. Manufacturers are getting ever more creative when it comes to the recipes for their winter drinks – alcohol-free variants that can be drunk hot or cold are getting a big push right now.

Wolfra Kelterei, for instance, offers its customers top-quality products that are full of natural ingredients and the ultimate drinking experience. In Germany, the company has launched a speciality range for the chilly season in addition to its regular product range. With a clever mix of herbs and spices, the recipes for the company's winter speciality drinks, juices and punches guarantee a very special taste sensation. Wolfra's seasonal specialities are aimed mainly at quality-conscious consumers who also place great value on enjoyment and variety – including in their choice of beverages. The Wolfra winter specialities are all alcohol-free, and are available in the aseptic carton pack combifitPremium with screw cap combiSwift in the varieties Glühfein (based on the classic German Glühwein, with a hint of tangerine), Bavarian Winter Apple, Bavarian Winter Plum, Fruit Punch and Feuerzangenbowle and a special punch created for children.

'Winterzauber' (Winter Magic) for example is the name of a juice created by Swiss company Bischofszell Nahrungsmittel AG (Bina) and distributed in Migros supermarkets in the winter months. The company's winter drink is made from 100 per cent orange, pineapple and tangerine juices with starfruit and calamansi juice, plus a touch of cinnamon. “This combination is unique and it is therefore very well received. To get hold of the fruit they want, fresh and in good quality can be difficult for consumers – a premium juice with a delicious, perfectly balanced taste, packaged in a way that protects the product, is a healthy alternative to fresh fruit”, says Arnold Graf, Key Account- and Product Group Manager at Bina. 'Winterzauber’ is a good example of how seasonal juices can become optimally established in a company's annual product line-up.

Tradition, perfectly packaged

In Finland, Marli-brand has been successful in positioning its three premium Glögi punch drinks, in Traditional, Vanilla and Blueberry varieties. Glögi is a traditional winter punch originally from Sweden, but it is also very popular in other far North countries. The precise 'secret recipes', using red wine, a range of juices, spices, almonds and sometimes raisins as well, are generally passed down from generation to generation in Scandinavian families. For those who like convenience and can not spare the time to put together their own home-made Glögi, Marli has pre-mixed an alcohol-free variant of this winter classic. Irma Mäki, Senior Brand Manager at Eckes-Granini Finland: “Our Glögi Traditional is based on the juice of grapes, currants, lingonberries and blueberries, livened up with a host of spices like cinnamon, clove, cardamom and ginger. The Glögi Vanilla punch has apple juice as its main ingredient, rounded off with vanilla, cinnamon and ginger, among others. Glögi Blueberry is a blend of grape and blueberry juices mixed with traditional Glögi spices carefully chosen for their flavour. In the carton packs, our winter specialities are packaged light-tight and airtight, and they can be kept for a long time without preservatives or refrigeration. The flavours, aromas, nutrients and vitamins in foods are retained. And that comes across in the taste”.

Norman Gierow, Global Market Segment Manager at SIG Combibloc: “Beverage manufacturers can perfectly complement their product range with seasonal drinks such as the winter specialities. Interesting drinks that go with the season grab consumers' attention, and can even reach new target groups. With all four packaging sides fully available for use in the package design, the carton pack is the ideal ambassador for brands and products; the Christmas designs of Hellefors' Glögi drinks and of the Tymbark drinks with cinnamon and clove are excellent examples of this. The filling flexibility offered by the filling machines from SIG Combibloc makes it possible to fill a very wide range of products. The sleeve system makes it all possible as each carton pack is individually shaped and sealed on the top only after the product has been filled. Thanks to the flexible filling technology, in addition to a variety of liquid foods, now drinks containing real fruit pieces or cereal grains can also be filled in small-size carton packs. A winter punch containing almond pieces or bits of fruit, for instance, can now be more than just a dream”.