Anyone who buys wine probably doesn't pay much attention to sustainability at first. Studies have shown that wine, along with coffee, is one of the drinks that is particularly harmful to the environment. We'll tell you what you need to look out for when buying sustainable wine, so that you can have a clear conscience when you reach for the wine shelf.

Table of contents

Difference: Organic viticulture vs. conventional viticulture

Is natural wine sustainable?

Summary

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Reading time approx. 2:10 min

That’s what makes sustainable wine!

What makes a sustainable wine?

As with many other foods, there are a number of factors that make a wine "sustainable". Many winemakers and companies now work in a climate-neutral manner. But of course it's not just about CO2 emissions. Sustainable means that cultivation, storage, transport and packaging are carried out in the most resource-efficient and environmentally friendly way possible.

For example, the use of plant protection products and fertilizers has a long-term impact on the environment. Synthetic plant protection products and artificial fertilizers in particular cause particularly high levels of CO2 emissions during production and use. Fungicides are used to combat fungal infestation in wine-growing, for example. The guiding principle here is: "The less, the better."

In addition to cultivation, the packaging of the wine plays a major role in sustainability. The lighter and thinner the bottle, the more environmentally friendly it is. Juice cartons are the best, even if they are still frowned upon in Germany.

Last but not least, you should pay attention to the transport of the wine. If you deliver particularly large quantities and choose a resource-saving shipping company, you will improve the environmental balance. The "last mile" to the winemaker, i.e. the collection on site, is quite crucial, especially if you have to get in the car for that.

Good to know:

On average, a bottle of wine releases 1.3 kg of CO2 into the atmosphere.

How does organic viticulture differ from conventional viticulture?

In fact, organic wine is more sustainable than conventional wine. However, this type of cultivation is also riskier for the winemakers because it is entirely possible that an entire year's harvest will be lost.

Organically grown wine differs in that only natural means are used for spraying. Such means do not usually penetrate the plant. They are therefore also healthier for humans, as there are no residues of possible pesticides in the wine. On the other hand, organic winemakers also have to fertilize more often and therefore have to go out more often, which in turn produces CO2.

Growing organic wine is also much more complex in other ways. Organic winemakers generally take preventive measures to reduce the need for pesticides. This includes, for example, caring for the soil on which the vines are grown. All of this contributes to the fact that the wine can be grown more sustainably - at least ecologically - than conventional wine.

But be careful!

Just because a wine has an organic seal does not mean that the wine is completely sustainable. The "organic" always refers to ecological aspects. But sustainable can also be interpreted in social or economic terms. In addition, when buying wine, you can make sure that it comes from the area - this saves long transport routes, but conversely does not mean that this wine is immediately sustainable.

Did you know?

You can recognize organic wines by the “organic” seal or the “Demeter” seal. The Demeter seal is the strictest organic label there is:

Is natural wine sustainable?

Natural wines are wines that leave typical conventional technical production processes behind and produce the wine as was common thousands of years ago: without any additives or technical interventions.

As a rule, such wines are also more sustainable because they are produced according to organic or biodynamic criteria. Natural wine can therefore be very sustainable, even if it is certainly not to everyone's taste.

Learn more?

If you want to learn more about natural wines , take a look here !

Summary

There are many different factors that make a wine “sustainable”.
Organic wines with a seal of approval are considered to be particularly environmentally friendly.
There are also a number of winemakers who work in a climate-neutral manner and also pay attention to environmental aspects during transport, packaging and storage.
Drinking wine sustainably is possible if you know where the wine comes from.