Weekly Tip 97 - Sustainable Wine – Red, White or Green?
Many people went dry for January and as they start to drink again, consumption of wine will undoubtedly go up; but have you thought about sustainable wine?
With roughly 75% of adults drinking wine, it’s a lot of vino consumed and like anything with high consumption, there is always an impact.
Play It Green helps to empower you with all the facts to make your life sustainable, and, if you drink, this week’s tip is perfect for you.
With that being said, please read on to find out about the history and impact of wine and ways and brands to help you on your eco-journey.
The History of Wine
Wine has a long and illustrious history dating back
thousands of years.
Its origins can be traced back to the Near East, where early
civilizations such as the Egyptians began producing wine as early as 6000 BC.
This now popular beverage was originally used for religious ceremonies and medicinal purposes.
However, it quickly became a popular drink for people of all social classes.
The ancient Greeks and Romans believed wine had the power to bring people together, foster friendship, and promote good health.
Later, monks in the Middle Ages made wine for use in religious ceremonies and became experts in wine production.
Wine production and trade continued to expand during the colonial period, as European powers established vineyards in their colonies.
Today, wine is produced all over the world, with the major wine-producing countries being Italy, France, Spain, Australia, New Zealand and the US.
Not All Wine Is Sustainable Wine
Did you know that in 2021 we drank 23.6 billion litres of wine globally?
That’s a lot of vineyards, wine bottles, machinery, packaging, distribution and waste!
Let’s have a look at why not all wine is sustainable wine!
Modern wine production has a number of negative impacts on the environment.
The use of pesticides and fertilizers contaminates soil and water.
On top of that, it can harm wildlife in both the short term and long term.
When washed out to sea these chemicals can cause dead spots in the ocean where no plant or animal life can exist.
The production of wine also requires large amounts of energy and water.
Unfortunately, this leads to increased greenhouse gas emissions and water usage.
As well as this transportation of wine also contributes to emissions, particularly for those sourced from overseas.
Think truck, boat, truck and car to get the wine from the source to your home.
Another issue facing the wine industry is the use of single-use packaging.
Packaging such as glass bottles and wine boxes generates significant amounts of waste.
Not only that but modern Wine corks are also often made from plastic which cannot always be recycled and ends up in landfills.
How To Make Your Wine Sustainable
When buying sustainable wine, several factors are important to consider.
Firstly, look for certifications like organic or biodynamic which show the winery meets environmental and labour standards.
Try to choose wine from a local source to reduce transportation’s carbon footprint.
Additionally, pay attention to the winery’s use of energy and water.
Look for those that use renewable energy sources, conserve water, and minimize waste.
The packaging of the wine should also be considered.
Glass bottles are common but not always recyclable, choose wineries that use recycled or biodegradable packaging.
Finally, the taste is important; sustainable wineries often produce high-quality and delicious wine.
In short, when buying sustainable wine, consider certifications, origin, the winery’s use of energy and water, packaging, and of course taste.
By making informed choices, you support environmentally friendly wineries while enjoying a great-tasting alcoholic beverage.
Some Sustainable Wine Brands We Love
If you haven’t got time to do some research and want to jump straight into buying some sustainable wine, below are three of our favourite brands.
As ever there is a discount to help you save some money on your sustainable journey.
Cono Sur
Cono Sur is a Chilean wine brand established in 1993, known for its innovative approach to winemaking and sustainable practices.
Their winery produces a wide range of wines.
These include red, white, and sparkling, made from classic grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
The brand’s commitment to environmental responsibility and fair labour practices has earned it numerous awards and recognition in the wine industry.
Cono Sur is available at a number of UK retailers including Sainsbury’s.
St Supery
St. Supéry Vineyards & Estate Winery is a premium wine producer located in the Rutherford region of Napa Valley, California.
The winery is known for producing high-quality, sustainable, and flavourful wines that are made from Estate-grown grapes.
Their vineyards are certified as a Napa Green Land and Winery.
This is a recognition of its sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices.
St. Supéry offers a range of wine varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay and is available from some UK wine retailers.
Domaine des Louis
Our final brand is Domaine des Louis, a winery located in the Loire Valley region of France.
Domaine des Louis offer a range of wine varieties including Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir.
The winery is committed to sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices.
It is certified as a sustainable vineyard by the French government.
The owners are also dedicated to preserving the local environment and traditional winemaking techniques of the Loire Valley region.
Domaine des Louis is available at most wine retailers.
If you want to try some sustainable wine, including Domaine des Louis, head over to our friends at sustainable wine specialists, Collectivino.
Simply use code playitgreen10 at checkout to benefit from a great discount on their products.
Sustainable Wine – That’s a Wrap
And that’s a wrap for our weekly tip on sustainable wine.
Hopefully, you learned something new and feel you have enough knowledge to make more informed decisions when it comes to wine.
Don’t forget that by making a change and choosing a sustainable brand, you are helping them grow and in the long term the planet benefits more!
Thanks for reading.
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