Jeen Akkerman sent me a The Winepack bag-in-box for the Sparks podcast and I was skeptical. The claims were bold: 80 percent less CO2 emissions, 30 days fresh after opening and 100 percent recyclable packaging. In this episode we find out whether that is marketing or reality, and what it means for the way we buy and drink wine.
Who is Jeen Akkerman
Jeen Akkerman combines decades of experience in the agricultural industry, including a stint at FrieslandCampina, with a passion for wine. Three years ago he founded The Winepack together with his son Auke. The company focuses exclusively on organic European wines in sustainable packaging. His motivation is not abstract: watching his two grandchildren play made him think about the planet they will inherit.
“If you put bad wine in bag-in-box, bad wine comes out. But if you put good wine in bag-in-box, good wine comes out.”
What you learn in this episode
- How bag-in-box technology achieves up to 80 percent less CO2 emissions
- Why the perception problem around alternative packaging is psychological, not technical
- How the filling works: oxygen out, nitrogen in, without an aluminum layer
- Why Jeen travels to the Biomillésime trade fair in Montpellier every January
- How direct sourcing from producers combines quality and sustainability
- What the Domaine Villemain Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire shows in the glass
- Where the opportunities lie in hospitality and where glass still holds its place
In the glass
During the recording we opened the Domaine Villemain Sauvignon Blanc. The nose shows crisp citrus, green apple, tropical fruit and a floral note. On the palate it is fresh and lively, with depth and a clean finish. At around 10 euros per equivalent bottle when you buy a 3-liter package, you get a Loire Sauvignon Blanc you will not easily find at that price in a shop. Every The Winepack wine carries at least 3.7 stars on Vivino and is also available in bottle, which proves it is not leftover stock.
Frequently asked questions
Does wine keep its quality in bag-in-box?
Yes, as long as good wine goes in. The filling is done with the same precision as bottling: oxygen out, nitrogen in to prevent oxidation. Once opened, the wine stays fresh for 30 days, longer than an opened bottle.
How much more sustainable is bag-in-box than glass?
A single truck carries twice as much wine in bag-in-box as in glass. The Winepack uses 100 percent recyclable bags without an aluminum layer, which delivers up to 80 percent less CO2 emissions.
For which wines does bag-in-box work and not work?
Fine wines that need years in the cellar belong in glass. But 90 percent of what we buy is consumed within weeks, and for those wines alternative packaging works well.
Where does The Winepack source its wines?
Every January at Biomillésime in Montpellier, Europe’s largest organic wine trade fair. Jeen goes directly to producers rather than through importers.
Listen on your own podcast platform
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