Over the last 15 years, there has been a sea change in the wine industry’s attitude towards environmental and social responsibility. Many wine leaders “speak sustainability”; their wineries have adopted a breadth of environmental practices; and some vineyards are certified by a myriad of sustainability authentication programs.
But this has all led to confusion among consumers. Many people ask me, ‘What’s the difference between organic, biodynamic, regenerative organic, natural and other certified sustainable wines? I know it can be easy to get caught up (and confused) by the many labels floating around. That is why I wrote this book – Vines and Values : A Consumer’s Guide to Sustainable Wine– to help define all the different sustainability labels and certifications that we as consumers will encounter in our shopping. Vines and Values also explores the comparison to mass-produced and conventional winemaking, all presented for consumer understanding and perspective. Next will be a discussion of the changing climate for wine, providing consumers with specific advice on how they can help mitigate climate change through their wine purchases.
When consumers choose socially responsible wines, they impact further down the supply chain. Those purchases can lead towards more resilient farming communities, healthier workers, balanced ecosystems, a stronger commitment to social responsibility and producers’ economic vitality.
This book includes guidance on how to reduce our individual carbon footprint. Readers will learn how sustainable practices– organic, biodynamic, natural, and more– are applied in both the vineyard and in the winery. Discussing the impact of climate change, I share the ways that we as wine consumers can best support wineries that are working towards a healthy planet. For example: alternative packaging can dramatically reduce emissions and be easily recycled. Not to mention the impact heavy glass bottles have on emissions!
Did you know that the glass bottle itself can contribute nearly 50% to a wine’s carbon footprint? The manufacture of heavy glass bottles is very energy intensive, and shipping of very heavy bottles also adds to emissions. Plus, by choosing a boxed wine (technically known as BIB, or bag-in-box), you can lower your own carbon footprint by over 80%?
As consumers, we are privileged to choose from thousands of wines, from a growing list of regions around the world. Faced with so many choices, it’s no wonder people find wine puzzling and intimidating–be it choosing from a restaurant list, the local wine shop, or, increasingly, online marketplaces.
Consumers crave simplicity and expedited shopping experiences. Most don’t want to spend extra time on research and confusing responses. My new book grew out of a need to make the lives of conscientious wine drinkers easier and more enjoyable, helping to align their values with their purchasing dollars.
A Consumer’s Guide to Sustainable Wine is clear in purpose: I want everyone to buy sustainable wine.The book not only explains why they should, but provides lists of sustainable wineries and selected wines, categorized by flavor and grape varietals. And yes, value wines (under $20) are noted throughout to assure consumers at every economic level that they too can be conscious consumers. Consider this an extensive (but by no means exhaustive) companion to have by your side this year! A Consumer’s Guide to Sustainable Wine will be a game changer – to help people understand what sustainable wine is — people who are new to wine or those who want to go deeper in their understanding of wine. Consumers will be able to show their support for responsible wineries and winemakers who are working to keep our planet healthy – while enjoying a good tasting wine. Why not change the world for the better and enjoy doing it?”
