Following incredible success worldwide, we announce the launch of our environmentally-friendly wine format in Benelux. On April 6th, the Bijou Le Chic 1.5L rosé will be available from Albert Heijn stores in Belgium and the Netherlands. Thus, enabling consumers to enjoy excellent wine sustainably.
According to Dr. Richard Smart in his article “Carbon footprint, wines and the consumer”, glass bottles and bottles’ transportation are the two biggest contributors to wine’s carbon footprint. Therefore, introducing non-glass substitutes is imperative today.
Bijou Le Chic is a fantastic alternative to the traditional glass bottle. This innovative format brings together the quality of French wine with a series of unique benefits. Empty, the pouch weighs a mere 60g, almost 8 times less than a glass bottle. The reduction in weight and the economy of space when shipping results in a carbon footprint that is approximately 80% lower than traditional glass bottles. The pouch also has considerable advantages for the consumer, starting with a cut down in wastage of wine due to oxidation. Once opened, the wine stays fresh for 30 days thanks to the air-tight tap closure that preserves its taste and flavour. Finally, the built-in handle makes the pouch practical, portable and ideal for outdoor events, such as barbecues, picnics and beach days. Not surprisingly, the launch of this rosé is just in time for the warmer season.
Fiona Beckett recommended Bijou Le Chic as one of the top five rosés to pick last summer. In the article published in NatGeo Traveller Food, she wrote, “this wine embodies two top trends – a pale Southern French rosé in a transportable pouch […], it’s 2020’s answer to the ‘bag in box’. Perfect for picnics and pool parties“. Bijou’s 1.5 rosé pouch was also recognized by the notable wine critic Jancis Robinson in her article “Glass dismissed?”. Focusing on packaging and sustainability in the wine industry, Robinson highlights Bijou’s remarkable success and recommends the pouch as a great alternative to glass bottles.
Sustainability apart, we strive to provide unique wines that have quality, tradition and passion at their core. The grapes for this rosé are sourced from selected vineyards in the foothills of the Montagne Noire, around Saint Chinian Faugères and Coteaux de Languedoc. The Saint-Chinian region is famed for its high volcanic soil composition, bringing notable aromatics to the wines. To retain maximum freshness, the grapes are harvested early in the morning. Once quickly destemmed and directly pressed to extract the colour, the juice undergoes a cool fermentation which lasts just under three weeks. Vinified separately, each plot is then carefully blended. Bijou Le Chic is a pale, dry rosé with flavours of ripe red fruits and wildflowers. This fragrant rosé is an exquisite accompaniment to grilled sea bass with a garlic and herb crust and a side of roasted vegetables.
