GroovyGreen.com – Start Today :: Save Tomorrow

Browse your local wine shop and you’re bound to see selections from regions all around the world. What’s not so obvious is how much energy was expended to get that $12 Cabernet to your dinner table. Conscious of their impact on world carbon emissions and pollution, some French vineyards are returning to a tradition that was left behind in the 19th century — shipping wines by sailboat. From the article,

Later this month, 60 000 bottles from Languedoc will be shipped to Ireland in a 19th-century barque, saving about 8,300kg of carbon. Further voyages to Bristol, Manchester and even Canada are planned soon afterwards.

The wines will be delivered to Bordeaux by barge using the Canal du Midi and Canal du Garonne, which run across southern France from Sète in the east, via Béziers in Languedoc. Each bottle will be labelled: “Carried by sailing ship, a better deal for the planet.” Although the whole process will end up taking up to a week longer than a flight, it is estimated it will save 138g of carbon per bottle.

One of the shipping companies promoting a return to greener transport methods has said that up to 250 producers of wine from the Languedoc region in France are keen to take up the sail option. They’re also picky about who can sign up — choosing sustainable vineyards that use “as many natural products as possible”.

In an industry of romantic wine labels with intriguing names and bottles, I feel like adding a sailing element to how the product was shipped will only further add to its allure. Truly, this is an encouraging development that we can all raise a glass to.

via mail and guardian