In the wine and spirits sector, among others, bottling machines are a key element for bottling the product and being able to market it. Additionally, it is not only important for the preservation and presentation of the wines or the liquid contained in the bottle, but also because this step must be efficient to ensure that it retains all its properties, aromas, and quality.
Therefore, at Excellent Cork, as manufacturers of bottle stoppers and closure solutions for bottles and other containers, we explain how this technique works, the different types available, and the advantages of using them.
How a wine bottling machine works
As its name suggests, wine bottling consists of filling bottles with this type of beverage. To do this, it has a tank where the wine is poured, and it also has an internal circuit through which the liquid flows to the nozzles or outlet taps that are placed on the neck of the bottle. The exact process is:
- Wine preparation. It is important to have the content ready and prepared for bottling and to introduce it into the bottling tank.
- Bottle preparation. This phase includes choosing the type of bottle, washing, and sterilizing it to remove any residue.
- Bottle filling. Once the previous step is ready, the bottle is placed in the filler, and the required amount of wine is introduced in each case.
- Closure and sealing. A synthetic wine stopper, for example, is used for this, suitable for the type of product that has been bottled and, above all, ensuring its quality, flavor, and aroma.
- Capsuling. This phase can be done after the closure if the product will be marketed immediately or later if it will be sold afterward. It involves placing a capsule on the neck of the bottle to protect the stopper and provide a distinctive element.
- Labeling. Before marketing the bottles, the label with the precise information about the wine, the winery, the Denomination of Origin, etc., is also placed on them.
- Packing. Finally, before marketing it, it is boxed or packaged in the chosen packaging for sale. This could be a box, a tin, a case…
Bottles in a wine bottling machine before filling
Uses of wine bottling machines
The main use of a wine bottling machine is to fill bottles with this liquid, although it can also be used to decant it and separate the sediment from the wine before proceeding to bottling. In other cases, this type of machinery can also be used to package and bottle other liquid products such as oils, juices, spirits, liqueurs, etc.
Manual vs. industrial wine bottling machines
Depending on the number of bottles and wine to be bottled, the process should be done manually or more automatically. That is, on an industrial scale, it is advisable to use an industrial bottling machine with greater capacity and more automation to achieve greater efficiency and productivity in less time. However, for personal use and smaller capacity, manual wine bottling machines are sufficient, as they allow for controlling the entire process and are more economical.
How much does a wine bottling machine cost?
As we mentioned, this type of industrial machinery has greater capacity and offers higher performance, making them more expensive. On the other hand, a manual one is more affordable.
However, there are different factors that influence the price of wine bottling machines: the brand, wine storage capacity, features… And, therefore, the cost can vary from hundreds to thousands of euros.
Tips for bottling wine with your brand
When bottling wines on an industrial level, it is essential to have distinctive and differentiating elements of your brand so that the user can easily identify it on the shelves of retail outlets. Therefore, we offer some tips:
- Use quality bottles. The entire process is important, so both your product and everything that surrounds it should be of high quality to offer a positive experience. This directly influences brand recall.
- Proper filling. It is important that bottling and filling are done to the recommended level to avoid spills and unnecessary wine wastage.
- Choose the right stopper. This factor is key both for its presentation, preservation (of aroma, quality, and flavor), and for the brand image. For example, if you choose a synthetic stopper, you are reflecting an image committed to the environment.
- Proper storage. Once everything is ready, before marketing and selling your bottles, it is important to keep them in a dark, cool place, away from light.
Wine coming out of a bottling machine
Frequently asked questions about wine bottling machines
Next, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this type of machinery and its uses.
What are the advantages of using a wine bottling machine instead of manual methods?
Bottling wine with this specific machine offers benefits such as speed, efficiency, precision, temperature control, hygiene, less handling of the product, quality, and greater cleanliness of the bottle.
What is the difference between a manual and an automatic wine bottling machine?
There are several factors that differentiate this type of wine bottling machine. For example, manual machines have less liquid storage capacity than automatic ones. Manual machines require manual control, manual washing, etc., while automatic machines have automatic self-cleaning, filling, and labeling systems. And, of course, the price of both is very different, with the manual being much more economical.
What types of wine are compatible with a bottling machine?
In general, most wines are compatible with this type of liquid packaging machinery. From reds, whites, and rosés to sparkling and sweet wines. However, it is also important to check the specifications and characteristics of each bottling machine to know if it can be used with carbonated wines, for example.
What regular maintenance does a wine bottling machine need?
It is essential that a bottling machine is clean and disinfected before proceeding with bottling and packaging to ensure product quality at all times. Therefore, it is important to keep it in perfect condition after each use. To do this, the parts of the machine that come into contact with the wine must be cleaned and disinfected very well.
It is also crucial to frequently check the different elements that make up the bottling machine, from the hoses through which the liquid flows, to the nozzles or tanks where the product is stored.
What stoppers should I use in a wine bottling machine?
The stoppers to be used when bottling wines with bottling machines depend on each producer and each product itself. That is, depending on the needs, a cork stopper, a synthetic one, a plastic one, a vacuum one… will be used. Depending on what you want to convey with the brand and whether the wine needs to be oxygenated or not, you can choose one or the other.
