Aldi claims UK supermarket first with own label aluminium wine bottle

Aldi is claiming a UK supermarket first with the launch of an own label aluminium wine bottle.

The 75cl aluminium bottle for Aldi’s £5.99 Costellore Pinot Grigio is stronger and almost 75% lighter than a glass one, according to the discounter.

The bottle, which lands in stores on 14 April, weighs 95g and is fully recyclable. It means a reduction in carbon emissions thanks to the weight saving per truckload.

The Costellore Pinot Grigio is shipped directly from Italy and bottled at a sustainably powered UK winery, according to Aldi.

Aldi partnered with UK-based drinks industry packaging company Broadland Drinks on the initiative.

However, it is not the first UK supermarket to sell wine in the material, with Waitrose having moved its range of small wines to aluminium cans in 2023.

Neither is Aldi the first UK supermarket to sell wine in alumiunium bottles – Tesco rolled out aluminium wine bottles from challenger brand Vinca in 300 stores last month. 

“Our buying teams are constantly exploring ways to offer greater value and greener choices for our customers,” said Aldi UK chief commercial officer Julie Ashfield.

“Shoppers are looking for ways to make a difference, and we’re proud to be leading the way with innovations like this aluminium wine bottle, building on our commitment to sustainable packaging.”

Broadland Drinks commercial director Catherine Smith said: “This initiative fits perfectly with our ambition to reduce our own carbon footprint and work with our retailers to make their businesses more sustainable.

“We know the biggest factor in a bottle of wine’s carbon footprint is the bottle itself, so by switching from glass to aluminium, we can help meet the rising demand for alternative lower-carbon formats.”