Wine industry embraces sustainable development

Clean vineyards, ‘green’ wines and lighter bottles? Many in the global wine and spirits business believe their only chance of long-term survival lies with sustainable development.

“Within five years, there will be a global standard of sustainability and a level below which you cannot be,” said Robert Joseph, a London-based writer and wine producer. Joseph and his partners at Hugh, Kevin & Robert Wines, have launched a new line called ‘Greener Planet Sustainable’, which is a low carbon footprint wine. One of these, retailing at roughly $10 and packaged in a lighter plastic PET bottle, has been snapped up by importers for Norway and Holland.

Sustainable development, independent of organic or biodynamic production, was very prominent at the recent Bordeaux Vinexpo, the largest wine trade show in the world. Val d’Orieu, a wine cooperative whose members’ vineyards stretch over 9 000 hectares along the French Mediterranean, even rethought its stand at Vinexpo. The cooperative ordered an ecologically designed exhibit stand, including re-useable glass and wood panels, rented furniture, and eco-friendly paint. According to the stand creator, it was the first such order they had ever received.

On the production side, the emphasis for Val d’Orbieu is on fewer vine treatments, waste reduction, renewable energy sources, water management and diversity amongst employees. “The economic crisis has accelerated sustainable development,” said Michel Mathieu, Director of Marketing and Business Development. “But I just call it good sense.”

Another buzz at Vinexpo was for an innovative line of bottles called Ecova produced by Saint Gobain, Europe’s largest glass manufacturer. The bottles which weighs up to 90 grams lighter than a regular bottle and is made entirely from recycled glass. Lighter bottles will dramatically lower the carbon footprint left by transporting wine. In total Saint Gobain reckons the Ecova range has a 15% carbon reduction during manufacturing and 6% reduction during transport. This is because the lighter weight allows about 1000 extra bottles to be transported during a trip.

In another development, Castel, the world’s third largest wine producer, recently spent €3m on a water treatment and recycling system at their Loire region bottling facility. This, they believe, puts them ahead of what requirements will be 10 years down the line.

Original article: AFP. 30 June 2009. Read more…