A whole lotta bottle(s)

Whatever time you’re reading this, in whatever time-zone, a factory in Manchester is bottling countless litres of wine. Not quite countless, in fact; in 2010, they handled 73.3 million litres, and in 2011 they expect to reach a thirst-quenching 82 million. To do so, they operate 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Kevin Wilson is the marketing and corporate affairs manager at Kingsland Wines and Spirits, the bottling plant in question. He estimates that up to a third of wine in the UK is now bottled within her shores. With increased emphasis on sustainability, carbon footprint and...