better wine for you and the planet
getting your weekend wine but want to make it better for you and the planet?
read on.
a few quick tips to start:
— (if possible) find a local shop and walk or bike instead of driving. this will both reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and give you a little exercise.
— support small and local shops vs. big box stores
— learn more about your wine! the easiest way to do this is to ask someone at the wine store about practices of the vineyard that the wine comes from.
if you’re flying solo on wine picks, here are a few certifications/terms that can tell you more about the practices that the vineyard follows and how your wine was grown:
organic: this is a label issued by the a governing body (USDA in the US, ECOCERT in Europe) that means the grapes are grown without the use of pesticides or GMOs. everything that goes into the wine (yeast, etc.) must also be organic to be certified.
biodynamic: this is a holistic practice of farming that considers the entire ecosystem, considers the lunar calendar, and looks to build healthy soils. biodynamic wines use organic practices, such as avoiding any chemical interference (no pesticides or fertilizers). i like to think of biodynamic as organic but with a systems view of the farm within the surrounding environment/earth.
natural: the natural wine making process includes the organic and biodynamic process of not adding any chemicals or commercial yeasts. the distinguishing factor with natural wine is that is has little to no intervention. the wine is typically hand harvested, unfiltered, and has little to no additives.
sustainable: this is a very broad term that doesn’t carry any specific requirements. generally it should mean that the vineyard engages in practices that are environmentally friendly, such as energy efficiency practices, water conservation, minimal or recyclable packaging, land conservation and restoration, or minimal/no pesticide use. when you see this term, it’s a good practice to do a little more research into the specific vineyard. there are two location based certification for “sustainable wine” - in long Island and california that include policies for energy use, conservation, and how the grapes are farmed.
it is important to remember that certifications (like organic) can be pricey and therefore not always accessible to smaller vineyard, even if they are implementing some of these practices. these terms can be a quick way to know more about the wine you are purchasing :)
for my San Diego readers, my favorite places to get organic /biodynamic / sustainable / natural wine: Clos, Madison on Park, Mabel’s Gone Fishing, the Rose, and Little Thief.
