The holidays always seem to bring about conversations of what wine to put on the table or what to order at your favorite stop. Here, we explore beyond the taste and texture of wine and add a dimension of sustainability.
Thinking sustainably, we can quickly turn to the practices of each farm; for this example, the use of pomace (byproducts or waste from making wine with grapes) for use as fertilizer, cooking oil or even grappa, wine made from pomace.
For a quick definition, pomace is solid matter after grapes are crushed to make wine. This pomace includes skins, seeds and stems from these crushed grapes. The process of taking this waste and using it for other purposes promotes and puts into play what is known as circularity, where waste is of high consideration. Essentially, circularity works against a linear path of a product that would go from raw materials to a landfill and looks for effective ways of use, as we have with grappa and other potential byproducts of pomace.
What are the benefits of choosing farms with more sustainable practices?
- Promotes the circular economy, which is more sustainable than the traditional linear model.
- Solid waste potentially sent to a landfill is reduced; subsequently, this will help reduce carbon emissions.
- The byproducts sold from waste create many new opportunities for innovations and investment.
How do I get started choosing a sustainable winery?
One of the simplest ways to start getting sustainable is to check the websites of your winery. These wineries are usually apt to talk about their farming and other practices at their site, so stop on by and see where their solid waste heads to or how it is used. You might even find grappa should be in your wheelhouse from here on out.
For most wine drinkers, researching is part of the experience when it comes to trying new flavors. Just add this to the list of things to search for when you’re on the hunt for something new.
You might even find that your favorite winery uses its waste products for fertilizer. That’s also a good practice, keeping the large amount of waste out of a landfill. According to many reports, most wineries are using their waste for purposes such as fertilizer or mulch, but it’s best to check in an find out.
If you want to go further with looking at sustainable practices, wine drinkers can also consider other growing practices, packaging and other transportation methods a winery uses.
Happy holidays and carry on.
Cin-Cin!