Packs and Closures

An Austrian wine brand will launch in the UK next month with a crown closure and a patented bottle carrier.

Merry Widows wines will be available in a 250ml bottle, fastened with a crown closure, which is aimed at the picnic and outdoor markets.

The range, which will be available in the UK from June, also comes in 500ml and 750ml bottles with rubber corks.

The carrier is made and printed by The Rotawise Printing Company in London, from a single piece of folded 350gsm Frovi Carry board.

It sits over the shoulders of two 250ml wine bottles and enables consumers to put their fingers between the bottles to grip them securely. It does not obscure the bottle labels, removing the need to duplicate information on outer packaging.

The carrier was designed by Polish artist Zygmunt Piotrowski, who previously worked for a number of multinational brands, including Danone on its yoghurt packaging.

Merry Widows founder and director Linn Rothstein said there had been interest in the smaller bottles from hamper companies and restaurants that open during the day and may not want full-size bottles.

"Women living on their own may not want to open a whole bottle of wine, only to have to pour half of it down the sink. These wines are designed to make women feel special, without the guilt of opening a whole bottle," she added.