As the trend in premium wine continues unabated, Global Package offers customized bottles and is expanding its inventory of distinctive glass bottles, including stock Bordelaise and Burgundy bottles, European specialty imports, oversized bottles and, of course, our signature Elegant Light Line, unique European style bottle shapes at affordable prices. A link to selections is here: http://www.globalpackage.net/wine-bottles/

In response to the growing interest in fine wines, auction house Bonhams decided to extend its fine wine sale from one to two days to meet rising demand in the category. According to Richard Harvey, head of Bonhams’ wine department: “We’ve seen a definite growth in demand during the first half of 2016. This trend has been particularly marked in the traditional markets of Burgundy — in our last sale we sold a case of Domaine Romanee Conti 1988 for $147,815 — and Bordeaux, which is experiencing a renaissance at auction.” https://www.luxurydaily.com/bonhams-sees-spike-in-fine-wine-interest-post-brexit-vote/

Also, Constellation Brands’ recent purchase of the Prisoner Wine Co. for an expected $285 million in cash supports this trend in fine wines, adding five “highly rated wine brands …that will help the company capitalize on US market trends that favor high-end wine brands while strengthening its position in the ‘margin enhancing super-luxury wine category.’” http://www.marketwatch.com/story/constellation-brands-buys-luxury-wine-brands-2016-04-06

The Wine Institute’s July 8^th report, “2015 California Wine Sales in US Hit $31.9 Billion Retail Value,” states that “the lower 2015 winegrape crop has helped drive the premium wine emphasis” and “because of the move to higher value wines, dollar sales grew significantly faster than case sales in 2015.” http://www.wineinstitute.org/resources/pressroom/07082016

Finally, in Silicon Valley Bank’s most recent report, “State of the Wine Industry 2016,” author Rob McMillan forecasts “a sales growth range of 9–13 percent for the premium wine segment in 2016” and “a strong and strengthening US dollar, available foreign supply, and willing millennials will encourage imports at all premium price levels.”  This report also made the point that “millennials are beginning to impact the lower price of premium sales …but will trend higher as their income allows” and the “Gen X cohort will surpass the baby boomer cohort around the year 2021 to become the largest fine wine consumer demographic in the US” and “a short five years later, by 2026, the millennial cohort will surpass the Gen X cohort to become the largest fine wine consuming cohort.” This is a report worthy of review:

http://www.svb.com/uploadedFiles/Content/Blogs/Wine_Report/2015_Report(1)/state-of-industry-wine-report-2016.pdf

So it’s clear …premium wines continue to trend upward, which means packaging needs to reflect the prestige associated with the brand. In an article entitled Emaker’s Benchmark, 2015, authors Klaus Heine and Francine Espinoza Petersen suggest that “luxury wineries are particularly good at two major symbolic characteristics that high-end brands must fulfill at least to some extent: authenticity and prestige.” They also make the point that “authenticity is not inherent. It is a perception. As a result, carefully crafted marketing materials can be used to enhance perceptions.”

This is where Global Package comes in. We have a well-established reputation for helping customers craft packaging that supports their brand’s identity. According to Erica Harrop, Global Package’s founder and CEO, “the Euro exchange rate will make imported European glass—long the gold standard in premium wine and spirits packaging—more affordable.” Global Package has long-standing relationships with top European suppliers, including Vetro Elite, Vetreria Etrusca, Estal Packaging, as well as Saverglass and other leading European producers. Give us a call to discuss how we can help raise your wine’s profile with smart packaging.