Glass bottle packaging is a preferred choice among wineries and distilleries for good reason. Not only does glass have the functional benefits of being durable, its sleek and elegant aesthetic elevates your product’s visual appeal. 

There are a number of considerations that go into choosing a glass bottle for your spirit or wine brand. To make the most of your bottles, it is important to know how to properly care for and maintain them, especially if there is leftover glass after bottling. 

Why should I look after my glass bottles?

There are numerous reasons as to why maintaining glass bottles can be beneficial. Taking care of your glass bottles is good for the environment. 

This blog contains some tips and tricks on how to correctly store and look after your glass bottles upon delivery.

Storing Your Glass Bottles 

It is important to ensure that the glass bottles are stored properly so they are safe to use. Upon receiving the glass, inspect the bottles for damage. It is important to check for cracks, chips, or scratches, or damage. If there is an issue, call your glass provider as soon as possible. It may also be a good idea to review your terms and conditions upon receipt of your purchase. 

Damage can quite easily occur in your warehouse. Glass bottles are delicate, and can break easily if dropped or mishandled, thus it is important to store them in a safe place away from any danger, limiting accidental breakage. Storing the bottle away from direct sunlight will also prevent any extreme temperature fluctuations, which can impact the bottle itself, as well as potentially ruining the contents if you are storing bottles with your product in it. 

It is important to store glass bottles in an organized manner, using appropriate storage equipment. Using equipment such as shelving units, racks or pallets with non-slip surfaces helps avoid accidents. 

Bottles should be completely dry and stored in dry conditions. Exposure to moisture can result in bloom or cloudiness, especially when they are stored for an extended period of time. 

Bloom Weatherization of Glass

The term weatherization (or “bloom”) refers to a milky, hazy or crystalline (snowflake) residue on the inside of glass bottles. At worst, it is an aesthetic issue, however the phenomenon is often a concern for customers. Customers should be made aware of this phenomenon, its causes, as well as treatment methods prior to purchase so as to avoid issues at a later date. It is important to remember that it does not come from an outside source of contamination – the ‘material’ comprising the ‘haze’ is always present in the glass. 

Generally speaking, bloom does not affect the vast majority of products, and is not something that should be concerning. 

Preventing Bloom in Stored Glass Bottles

If you are concerned about the presence of bloom, it can be eliminated by thoroughly rinsing the bottle prior to filling. Ultimately, there is no guaranteed prevention of bloom – it all comes down to the environmental storage conditions. 

 

Transporting Your Glass Bottles 

To minimize the risks associated with glass packaging, such as breaking and cracking, it is important to ensure the transportation is safe. The first step is to use appropriate packaging materials to provide cushioning and prevent breakage, such as corrugated cardboard that fits properly. It is then important to secure the glass packaging to minimize movement during transportation. Finally, the temperature and humidity levels should be monitored, as hot and humid conditions can compromise the quality of the bottles and packaging materials. 

Cleaning Your Glass Bottles

Global Package stores our glass bottles in a clean, food-safe environment in all our warehouses across the United States. It is industry standard to sparge the bottles before use, to ensure compliance with hygiene standards and quality control while also preserving the freshness and vibrancy of the product that will be stored in the bottles. Some wineries and distilleries prefer to sparge the bottles, others prefer to rinse them – it is a matter of what suits best. Rinsing is always recommended to ensure no contaminants have entered. 

About Global Package

Global Package supplies high-end glass bottles to the wine and spirits markets across North America. Sourcing bottles from around the world, Global Package has an esteemed portfolio of bottles and packaging, specializing in sourcing and supplying glass for small to large projects ensuring your product is presented affordably, effectively and professionally. Global Package has strategic alliances with innovative suppliers, designers and marketing collaborators both domestically and internationally, as well as stock across a local network of warehouses ready for dispatch.

Please contact our team with any queries you may have about our products or services. Fill out our contact form, email us at sales@globalpackage.net, or call us on  +1 707 224-5670.