Study finds plastic packaging is bad for wine
It may be more ecologically friendly than glass bottles, but plastic is not a friend of wine, according to the first major scientific study into wine packaging.
The Institute of Vine and Wine Sciences in Bordeaux found that red and white Bordeaux wine, such as Petrus and chateau d'Yquem, saw considerable changes over the course of a year when stored in plastics.
Analysis of the white wine after six months found significantly increased penetration of oxygen and a corresponding decrease in carbon dioxide when stored in plastic, while remaining stable in glass bottles.
Lecturer Remy Ghidossi said the study was an attempt to dispel misinformation regarding new packaging alternatives for wines.
"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," he added.
This may be bad news for high street retailers like Marks & Spencer and Waitrose, both of which recently introduced plastic packaging for some of their wines.