The Australian alcohol industry is experiencing a shift towards smaller packaging, with many producers moving from traditional 750-milliliter bottles to more convenient options like cans. This trend is evident across various sectors, including spirits and wines. Recently, Australian Vintage introduced a 187ml bottle for its Poco Vino wine range, while Brown Brothers launched a 750ml aluminum bottle that is notably smaller than its glass equivalent.

Andrew Shedden, the premium general manager at Endeavour Group, which oversees several alcohol retail outlets, noted that smaller wine packaging is just beginning to emerge. "We're at the genesis of packaging innovation for wine, and I see that as a really positive development for the Australian wine industry," he said. Shedden emphasized that wine can be intimidating due to its vast variety, and smaller formats allow consumers to explore different varieties, regions, or brands without the commitment of a full bottle.

The rise of aluminum cans has caught the attention of the wine industry, which has faced challenges in recent years due to oversupply and changing consumer habits. Emily Harper, chief marketing officer at Australian Vintage, believes that smaller packaging could help attract younger drinkers. "When you think about Gen Z in particular, they're quite promiscuous," she said. "They have a really wide variety of things that they like to try, and drinks that they like to buy. People don't want to open a big bottle of wine, especially if they don't know if they are going to enjoy it."

Harper pointed out that the ready-to-drink (RTD) sector has successfully utilized small formats, vibrant packaging, and interesting flavors. "I think the category has done a great job with small format, interesting flavours, vibrant packaging," she said. "It has really turned the alcohol industry on its head."

In Mildura, Wade Aunger, co-founder of Methanol Moonshine, has observed a shift in consumer preferences since starting his distillery five years ago. He noted that convenience is now a priority. "You can't exactly walk into a party with a 750ml glass bottle of moonshine," he said. After testing cans at a recent event, Aunger reported that customers expressed a clear preference for this format. "That was a one-off, but now … we're gearing up to do more with cans right here in Australia," he added.

Sebastian Raeburn, a distiller at Anther Distillery and head judge for the Australian International Spirits Awards, has been monitoring the trend towards smaller packaging. He noted that the awards included a category for smaller packaged spirits for the first time last year. "For years, they were seen as purely convenient or cheap — sometimes using low-quality spirits masked with flavouring," he said. "That's no longer the case. Today, people are making thoughtful, innovative, high-quality RTDs that are absolutely worth seeking out, especially beyond the big mainstream brands."

Raeburn also mentioned that wine producers are exploring new ways to package their products for a younger audience that may not want to commit to a full-sized bottle. "We're seeing things like wine-based Limoncello spritzers, some of them are excellent; some are forgettable — but that's true of any product category," he said. This trend towards smaller, more convenient packaging appears to be reshaping the landscape of the Australian alcohol industry.