Bottled Wine (750ml)

Material Composition Assumptions

The standard bottled wine assessment assumes a 750ml glass bottle containing liquid wine with standard closure and labeling. The glass bottle represents approximately 85% of packaging-related emissions and weighs between 400-600 grams depending on bottle style and thickness. Natural cork closures contribute roughly 4% of packaging emissions but achieve carbon negativity when forest carbon sequestration is included in the assessment boundary. Labels and capsules combined represent approximately 1% of total packaging impact. Secondary packaging materials include corrugated cardboard for case packaging. The liquid wine product itself consists primarily of fermented grape juice with minimal additives, though the agricultural production phase generates the majority of cradle-to-gate emissions before packaging considerations.

Manufacturing Geography

Wine production occurs globally with concentrated regions in Europe, North America, South America, Australia, and emerging markets. The manufacturing process involves both agricultural viticulture phases and industrial bottling operations that typically occur in different locations. European wine regions benefit from higher recycled glass content in bottle manufacturing and established lightweight bottle standards that reduce overall carbon intensity. The global weighted average grid intensity of 475 gCO2/kWh reflects the mixed renewable and fossil fuel energy sources across major wine producing regions, with significant variation between countries like France with lower grid intensity versus regions relying more heavily on coal-fired electricity generation.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
European Union	295 gCO2/kWh	105	-13% (high recycled glass, lightweight bottles)
California, USA	260 gCO2/kWh	125	+4% (lower recycling rates, heavier bottles)
Australia	700 gCO2/kWh	140	+17% (coal-heavy grid, long distribution)
Chile	450 gCO2/kWh	110	-8% (renewable energy, efficient viticulture)
South Africa	900 gCO2/kWh	155	+29% (coal-dominated electricity)

Provenance Override Guidance

1. Vineyard-specific data including nitrogen fertilizer application rates, organic or biodynamic certification status, and documented carbon sequestration practices in soil management.

2. Glass bottle specifications with actual weight measurements, recycled content percentage, and supplier-specific production emission factors for bottle manufacturing.

3. Winemaking facility energy consumption data showing renewable energy percentage, processing efficiency metrics, and measured emissions from fermentation processes.

4. Transportation documentation covering grape transport to winery, finished product distribution distances, and shipping method carbon intensities for primary distribution.

5. Packaging details including closure type with cork forest management certification, label material composition, and secondary packaging material specifications with end-of-life disposal methods.

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-gate emissions including viticulture, winemaking, packaging production, and distribution to retail, excluding consumer use and disposal phases.
• Scope 1 emissions reflect direct fuel use in bottling facilities and winery operations including fermentation processes.
• Scope 2 covers electricity consumption for temperature control, bottling equipment, and facility operations during wine production and packaging.
• Scope 3 dominates due to upstream glass production, agricultural inputs including fertilizers, and transportation throughout the supply chain.
• The functional unit assumes a standard 750ml glass bottle with natural cork closure and paper labeling.
• Consumer transportation to purchase location and end-of-life disposal impacts are excluded from the assessment boundary.
• Significant data gaps exist around carbon sequestration in vineyard soils and regional variation in glass recycling infrastructure effectiveness.