Ban these bottles

If we ask you what happened on 1 May, there is a good chance that you will answer trains, speeches, flags – or outdoor beer and that spring is finally here! But almost imperceptibly, a small environmental revolution has taken place at Vinmonopolet. Now they scrap even more goods that are not climate-smart.

– We set requirements for all the world’s producers: In order to sell wine at the Pole, the wine must be in climate-smart packaging, says Kristine Sanne, communications advisor at Vinmonopolet, to DinSide.

Check this date

Heavy glass bottles are a climate disaster, and it is not the first time that Vinmonopolet has taken action. In 2018, they introduced similar rules for new wines priced below NOK 150 a bottle. This limit has now been raised to NOK 250.

Sanne clarifies that the new requirement does not apply to wine with bubbles. Bubbles create pressure that makes it physically unsuitable with a weight limit of 420 grams per 0.75 litre.

The reason for the NOK 250 limit is simple: the largest volume of bottles sold at the Pole costs less than NOK 250, according to Sanne. It is therefore in this segment that the greatest climate effect is achieved. She believes the requirement could affect the beverage industry internationally.

– Vinmonopolet is a significant buyer, so this can create ripple effects globally. There are some really big suppliers and best sellers that have to change.

Can give more expensive wine

Although the ban applies from 1 May, and will apply to all goods from January 2026. Producers who already have wine on the shelves will have a little more time to adjust, but on 1 January 2026 it will be over. Then all wine must be in climate-smart packaging.

– There are some variants that may be difficult to transfer to climate-smart packaging, but in the long term we want to transfer all products at Vinmonopolet to lighter glass bottles, or other climate-smart packaging.

When the order only applies to bottles under NOK 250, it is natural to think that the easiest thing to do is to raise the price. Some of these bottles will probably cost more than NOK 250 per piece when the calendar shows 1 January 2026, while others are so close that it may be tempting to raise the price an extra notch.

– Do you fear that this requirement could result in more expensive wine?

– How many producers choose not to change, and instead raise the price, is up to the Norwegian wholesaler and the producer himself, says Sanne,

– However, we now see that many of the remaining heavy bottles are starting to switch to lightweight ones.

She says that customers are increasingly concerned about climate and the environment when they shop at the Pole, and that this can be a competitive advantage.

– Then we hope that all products will join the journey, but it will probably fall from some.

Positive attitude

Symposium Wines is one of the importers of several bottles that will be affected by the ban, including JP Chenet Cabernet Syrah and Santa Rita 120 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Caroline Uhlen, managing director of Symposium Wines, does not believe that it will pose significant problems.

– This is something everyone must follow. All manufacturers are informed, and know that this is the future, so I would think most of them are changing to meet this requirement, says Uhlen to Dinside.

Tear away: – Magical!

She has not received information that anyone has no plans to meet Vinmonopolet’s new requirements.

– Everyone is positive about this, it is rare that we meet strong opposition to such climate measures.

– A change in bottling and production lines can result in an additional cost. What will that do to the price?

– It is a bit too early to say anything about yet, but not necessarily. I don’t think this will have such an enormous effect, says Uhlen and explains that several of the manufacturers they import from have already invested in more climate-smart packaging.

– Even small producers know that this is something they will have to do to meet the future.