Nicolas Joly on biodynamics
At the first ‘natural wine fair’ held in London in May 2011, Nicolas Joly of La Coulée de Serrant in the Loire, gave a seminar about biodynamics. This is much of what he said.
A watershed moment in sustainable global viticulture
As it becomes more recognised that water is the new gold, stewardship programmes for water management are being created to develop systems of sustainable river basin management, considering issues such as water risk, availability, quantity, quality, and fair-share usage.
Sustainability seal for South Africa
The key initiatives, in terms of moving a little further along the path of sustainability in South Africa, are the IPW (Integrated Production of Wine) and BWI (Biodiversity and Wine Initiative), and a new one, SWSA (Sustainable Wine South Africa).
Re-discovering biodiversity
Biodiversity is the latest in a series of buzz-words in the field of sustainability as all agriculturally-based industries address the vagaries and pitfalls of mono-culture. Viticulture is also adapting to the new order.
Lighter Champagne bottles, and biomass potential
The Champenois have officially launched a lighter glass bottle, aimed at cutting carbon emissions. They’ve calculated a reduction from 900 grams per bottle to 835 grams could result in an 8,000 tonne reduction in annual carbon emissions.
Alcohol harm reduction
Possible measures to reduce alcohol-related harm.
The language of green
Carbon footprints, carbon dioxide emissions, food miles, lifecycle analyses, sustainability, and what would be comprehensible on the label?
Follow the yellow brick road? The green grass track?
Across the wine world, different initiatives are evolving, all aimed towards greater sustainability.
Carbon footprints treading the path to sustainability
Carbon footprints fossilised in stone, or just a step along the way to greater sustainability?
