Oxygen transfer into wines through different types of PET bottles.

Th e oxygen transfer into empty, nitrogen-fl ushed PET bottles with diff erent construction and compositions as well as into bottled wines was examined in comparison with the one into glass bottles. Th ree white and two red wines were bottled and the oxygen transfer into bottles was monitored under two diff erent storage conditions. Using a new noninvasive method of oxygen measurement (PreSensTM) a diff erentiation of oxygen permeation into empty bottles of different PET types and glass could be documented over a period of 427 days. Th e results of the chemical and sensory analysis of the bottled wines showed that depending on the PET bottle type and storage conditions a shelf life of up to 24 months was possible. PET bottles with specifi c barrier technologies developed for lower oxygen, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide permeation (e. g. PolyShield®/MXD6, Plasmax, APPE (multilayer PET-bottles)) are an interesting alternative for wine packaging and storage especially regarding the ecological aspects of lower transportation weight. Consumer studies should be done to clear up the general or individual acceptance of PET bottles for wine bottling and storage.