Helix Bottle-Cork Combination Wins Gold in 2017 IPSA Goldpack Awards

Every year the Institute of Packaging SA (IPSA) Gold Pack Awards recognise the finest examples of packaging excellence and every year, Consol and glass achieve accolades for excellence in specific categories. This time was no exception with Helix - the definition of quality, innovation and the measure of true distinction – honoured with two Gold medals: Best in Beverage and Best in Glass (Substrate Excellence Awards).

The award winning Helix is a twist-to-open, ergonomically-designed cork agglomerate stopper, used with a glass bottle that has corresponding grooves – an internal thread finish – to ensure an airtight seal. The result of a four-year global partnership between Amorim and Owens-Illinois (O-I), it’s a consummate example of innovation driving progress and the use of ground-breaking technology.

Addressing why the Helix is so popular, Consol spokesperson, Dale Carolin, says that the development of Helix represents the evolution of the traditional partnership between glass and cork which is part of the very DNA of wine. “The Helix design combines the best of both worlds. The timeless heritage, premium image and experience of traditional cork which is associated with quality wine - with the convenience of a screw top closure.”

Adding to this he says, “With Helix - the wine ritual is preserved - as is the wine and its ageing process. The quintessential pop of uncorking a bottle is a big part of the wine drinking experience and in an age where screw top wines dominate the shelves, the allure of cork is lost.  The Helix twist to open action keeps the pop, the premium appeal and it’s practical.”

Developed to be used for traditional bottling lines for the premium fast turnaround still wine segment; the concept can be easily implemented by wineries as it requires minor adjustments to the existing filling line equipment.

Interestingly the fully compressed partial insertion-cork doesn’t arrive with grooves. Consol’s threaded bottleneck creates the grooves over a two-week period. The bottles need to stand vertically before being shipped ensuring the wine bottle can be opened and closed quite easily by hand thus creating an airtight barrier with a simple twist of the wrist.

Validated by wine drinkers - global consumer research shows that 83% of wine consumers under 45 are interested in Helix with 68% interested wine buyers willing to pay more¹. Elegant, easy to handle, modern, premium, re-sealable, convivial and surprising, are just some of the ways this closure has been described by audiences surveyed.

Locally, Anthonij Rupert Wyne is the first wine producer to convert to the Helix closure and all eight of the wines in its Protea range are now bottled in Consol’s 750ml glass bottles (BN1766 and BN1767) that make use of the twist out cork solution. For this winery, upcycling is of particular importance and one of the many benefits associated with the Helix closure is that it adds to the concept of sustainability and encourages reuse of bottles. The Helix closure, combined with the Mark Eisen Protea designs that adorn each bottle, contributes to their aesthetic appeal and lends them an assortment of alternate uses within the home.

It’s expected that the new Helix twist cork will further enhance the expectancy of this popular everyday drinking wine which is directly available from the estate, select specialist wine shops and retail outlets nationwide.

For further information on Consol, visit www.consol.co.za.

The best things come in glass!

Distributed by SIMONSAYS Communications