Minimalism

The wine aisle is filled with package designs of all styles, and while that isn’t likely to change, minimalist design is gaining popularity. This refers to brand design that embraces a simple, subdued, and uncluttered aesthetic. For some consumers, minimalist design provides a small mental escape from today’s everyday stressors and a visual break from over-stimulation. For others, minimalism signals sustainability, and pared-back design without all the “bells and whistles” aligns with their values of conscious consumerism.

A recent Journal of Marketing study of 1,300 packages in the largest supermarket chain in the U.S. found that “consumers often assume that simple packaging signals few ingredients, which enhances perceived product purity.”

Minimal brand design is often associated with premium or “clean” products with higher quality or fewer ingredients. Being selective with front-of-pack copy and imagery maintains a minimal aesthetic that appeals to consumers. Custom and eye-catching bottles can nicely complement minimalist label designs. Studio One Eleven created a custom bottle for Rosae by Bodegas Arzuaga with vertical debossed ribbing that adds uniqueness while maintaining an elegant simplicity that elevates the minimalist label design.

Interactivity

A recent GlobalData study found that 42% of global consumers are always or often influenced by how digitally advanced or ‘smart’ the product or service is. As mentioned, QR codes can provide information about a wine or winery. They can also allow for personalized, customized, or seasonal content, including food pairing suggestions.

Younger consumers are especially interested, with one in four Gen Z and Millennials saying that interactive packaging is a key purchase driver.

Beyond QR codes, other innovative technologies can help create unique, immersive, and entertaining user experiences. 19 Crimes, Rabble, and Phantom are just a few brands using augmented reality to bring their wine labels to life. Technology-enhanced labels can also prevent counterfeiting within the fine wine industry by providing product tracing and authentication. According to Sommelier Business, the global market for counterfeit wine is estimated to be around $65 billion.

Responsible Design

Consumers want to support brands that align with their values and lifestyle choices, with ongoing demand for environmentally and socially responsible products. Using recycled materials, lightweight bottles, biodegradable inks, and sustainable labels can appeal to eco-conscious wine consumers. Berlin Packaging has a portfolio of sustainable wine packaging options, including our in-house carbon-reduced and compensated Aurelia wine bottle with a quantifiably lower environmental footprint than a conventional wine bottle. We produce Aurelia using furnaces powered by biomethane, a renewable energy source obtained from waste and certified by Eco Power. Along with the Aurelia, we offer the Helium Mixology bottle. Helium is made with lightweight and half-flint glass, which can incorporate up to 75% recycled glass.

Berlin Packaging has a dedicated team of sustainability experts to help brands meet their goals with our expansive suite of sustainability services ranging from quantitative assessments to sustainability communications strategies and more.

Inclusive and accessible design is also becoming important to socially-minded consumers. Studio One Eleven is proud to have designed the label for Flor de Chasna, incorporating braille to ensure the wines can be enjoyed by everyone. This thoughtful detail demonstrates the brand’s strong commitment to fostering inclusivity.