Local bottling: A growing trend

Let there be light

This may sound surprising, but did you know that one out of four bottles purchased in Quebec was bottled right here? Although this may come as a shock to many, we should be pleased about this. If for a long time, we associated the quality of a wine with the location where it was bottled, a new trend based on practical and ecological considerations is presumably gaining ground and it’s time to let go of preconceived notions.

More efficient, less polluting, as qualitative

What contributes to reduce CO2 emissions for the health of our planet, is that local bottling requires the importation of wines from the producing countries in large tanks that are more stable and light (almost 50% less weight) than the equivalent quantity in thousands of glass bottles. These energy savings grow the bigger the distance to cover increases. For example, by bottling an Australian wine such as Cliff 79 Chardonnay here in Rougemont, Quebec, where its quality is as well preserved than with traditional domaine bottling.

A global trend

Another positive aspect is that local bottling is currently growing everywhere in the world. According to recent data, Germany bottles locally 66% of the wines it imports and Great Britain follows closely with 44%. If Canada is still under a third (28%), Quebec is in good position with 38% and this good practice should continue its progression. What’s more, almost all the containers made in Quebec are lightweight glass bottles. Which also constitutes an advantage health and safety wise for the workers who have to handle these bottles. The Liberado product is a good example of this: It comes in a lightweight glass container and is bottled in the city of Rougemont.

Ecological, yes! Good for our economy, yes!

Indeed, the reduction of our carbon footprint is not the only benefit of local bottling. This choice also encourages our economy, since the purchase of containers, the handling, storage and transport also occur locally. For the wine and alcoholic beverages industry, it represents 600 million dollars in retail sales and an economic impact of over 930 million dollars for Quebec. Just imagine: About 3,500 direct and indirect jobs are thus created in nearly 20 local businesses.

Wines we love

If one of the SAQ’s strength is to offer an incredible diversity in the range of provenance of the wines it sells, this advantage is also present through the offer of products bottled in Quebec. Given the commercial success obtained by these wines and spirits, we should salute these initiatives and even be proud of them.

Products bottled in Quebec by Arterra

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In collaboration with Arterra.