Wine has been associated with a glass bottle for centuries, but even that long history can’t save the stately staple from a shake-up. Thanks to changing consumer attitudes toward wine and some adventurous brands willing to ditch the conventional classic, the bottle is making room for boxes, cans and cartons, ushering in a new wave of alternative packaging.
The bottle first emerged as an optimal packaging option in the early 19th century, when winemakers discovered that a corked glass vessel allowed the wine to age, while keeping enough oxygen out to extend the shelf life of the product. Their use spread, until the packaging format reached the near ubiquity it’s enjoyed.