Kegged wine as a sustainable alternative: impact on conservation and sensory quality

Abstract

Wine is not just a beverage; it represents an entire ecosystem in winemaking regions and is deeply linked to economic, social, and environmental factors. As global consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability, ethics, and health in their food and beverage choices, the wine industry is under pressure to develop greener production, distribution, and consumption models [1] [2]. While sustainability has become a key focus for the industry, there is limited academic research on the technological, ecological, and economic benefits of kegged wine and how industry stakeholders perceive them [3] [4].

The ECOFASS-vin project, initiated in 2017 under the Interreg program, aimed to evaluate the suitability of Ecofass® kegs—recyclable HDPE containers with internal aluminum pouches—for long-term wine storage and service. This study examined their impact on oenological and sensory quality over several months, analyzing different storage conditions, dispensing gases (nitrogen vs. compressed air), and pouch materials (PETMET vs. EVOH). Key parameters such as free SO₂ and CO₂ levels were monitored, along with sensory evaluations.

The results confirm that kegged wine can offer a viable conservation method, with PETMET pouches providing better oxidation protection and nitrogen gas preserving wine quality more effectively than compressed air. However, significant sensory differences were observed depending on storage conditions, highlighting the importance of material selection and gas composition. These findings suggest that properly optimized kegging systems could reduce SO₂ requirements, enhance wine preservation, and offer a sustainable alternative to traditional packaging.

References

[1] Bichescu, C. I., Stoica, D., Ivan, A. S., & Stoica, M. (2024). Innovative Packaging for Wine. 8(6), 41–47.

[2] Fiore, M., Silvestri, R., Contò, F., & Pellegrini, G. (2017). Understanding the relationship between green approach and marketing innovations tools in the wine sector. Journal of Cleaner Production, 142, 4085–4091

[3] Flores, S. S. (2018). What is sustainability in the wine world? A cross-country analysis of wine sustainability frameworks. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172, 2301–2312.

[4] Orlowski, M., Lefebvre, S., & Back, R. M. (2022). Thinking outside the bottle: Effects of alternative wine packaging. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 69(May), 103117