Which statement correctly describes a disadvantage of glass bottle packaging?

• A. It is lightweight and inexpensive to transport
• B. It has a low carbon footprint
• C. It has a high carbon footprint, heavy, fragile, and can be subject to light strike
• D. It is always airtight

Answer: (C)

Glass bottle packaging is challenging because its physical properties and how they interact with wine storage create clear drawbacks. The weight of glass makes transport more energy-intensive and costly, boosting overall emissions per bottle. It’s also fragile, so breakages during handling and distribution lead to product loss and waste, increasing costs and environmental impact. In addition, bottles—especially clear ones—allow light to reach the wine, which can trigger light strike and degrade quality through photo-oxidation; this is why winemakers often prefer darker glass or require careful storage away from light. While a properly sealed bottle can be airtight, the real issue highlighted here is the combination of heaviness, fragility, and vulnerability to light, which together describe a genuine disadvantage of glass packaging.