Its popularity in the international wine market-place and interest among South African wine producers has seen Amorim’s revolutionary HELIX cork concept now being made available locally in its entirety, with Consol Glass producing the specific bottles required for the HELIX closure.
The HELIX ‘twist to open’ cork was launched in South Africa in 2015 by Amorim Cork and producers wishing to offer wine-lovers this modern closure solution initially had to source the wine bottles from O-I glass manufacturers. Now Consol, the leading supply of bottles to the South African wine industry and O-I’s technical partners globally, has stepped into the equation offering the specially threaded bottles required for the convenient HELIX ‘twist to open’ cork.
Joaquim Sá, MD of Amorim Cork South Africa, says that Consol’s local manufacturing of the HELIX bottle will have a profound effect on this convenient cork closures future in the local wine industry.
“Since launching the HELIX cork, the concept’s uptake was impeded by the fact that only imported bottles were available to wine producers wishing to make this exciting new development a part of their wine offering,” says Sá.
“Now that Consol is manufacturing the bottles on local soil, HELIX suddenly becomes a much more attractive proposition in terms of availability and costs, and the local wine market can look forward to a proliferation of wines closed in this manner,” he says.
The new HELIX concept combines an ergonomically-designed stopper made from cork and a glass bottle with an internal thread finish in the neck, creating a high performing and sophisticated wine packaging solution. HELIX combines all the benefits of cork and glass – quality, sustainability and premium image with user-friendly, re-sealable convenience.
HELIX is the result of a four-year partnership between Amorim and O-I, during which both companies drew on their respective innovation capabilities and expertise in serving global wine markets, gained from a heritage that stretches back over a century.
“There is a romantic connotation with wine, and it is important to preserve that association, this is important for the consumer and therefore essential for wineries competing for attention in a very competitive and cluttered market,” says Sá.
HELIX can quickly and easily be implemented by wineries with only a minor adjustment to the existing filling lines.
“HELIX meets consumers’ growing desire for sustainability and quality, while delivering the brand building and premium image packaging wineries rely upon,” added Sá, “We are offering the market not only a 100% renewable, modern product, but also a solution that enhances the wine drinking experience through opening and resealing convenience.” In extensive testing conducted by Amorim and O-I, wine packaged in HELIX glass bottles with cork stoppers showed no alteration in terms of taste, aroma or colour. As part of the development process, market research in France, UK, USA and China revealed great consumer acceptance of HELIX for fast turnaround and popular premium wines. In addition, consumers also appreciated retaining the festive ‘pop’ associated with opening a bottle of wine.
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