20,000 wines tasted
green cork
By Jill Kwiatkoski
Carbon Neutral, Earth Positive!
Many people have heard the term carbon neutral before, yet it remains one of those“ green terms” that often gets tossed around without explanation.“ Carbon neutral” describes an environmental practice that reduces our carbon footprint, offsets greenhouse gas emissions, and promotes environmentally friendly initiatives with the end goal of releasing no net carbon into the environment.
That means that for any carbon we release into the atmosphere, we counter it with an environmental practice to offset its impact on global warming.
With the goal of being carbon neutral in mind, a country, company, or even an individual can apply several strategies in their daily practices to reduce harmful emissions into the environment. For example, simply reducing waste, recycling, and using renewable resources can reduce the amount of carbon we are releasing into the atmosphere.
A relatively new strategy for obtaining carbon neutrality is purchasing what are called“ carbon offsets.” By purchasing carbon offsets, you can subtract polluting emissions with credit that is used to support renewable energy projects such as wind machines, solar installations, tree plantings, and forest regeneration. One carbon offset represents the reduction of one cubic tonne of greenhouse gasses( such as
CO 2
) in the environment.
Many large corporations, including hotels, airlines, transport companies, movie studios, and sporting organizations, are going carbon neutral by purchasing carbon offsets, implementing recycling programs, and becoming more energy efficient. Rock bands such as the Rolling Stones and the Dave Matthews Band have begun to offset emissions associated with their concert tours. Individuals can purchase carbon offsets to make up for automobile use, air travel, or energy use in our homes. To find out how, trust Canadian icon David Suzuki to provide the way. Visit his website at www. davidsuzuki. org, and a quick search of the term“ carbon offset” will bring you to a guide for business and individual consumers.
In the vineyards
Many wine regions have practiced environmentally friendly agriculture for generations out of respect for the earth that gives them their livelihoods. If our environment is compromised, so are the fruits( literally!) of their labour. With new technology, however, comes new ways in which wineries can contribute to more carbon-neutral practices, for example:
• Manufacturing bottles out of recycled materials or lighter-weight glass reduces fuel consumption during transportation
• Producing labels made from recycled paper using vegetable-based inks
• Reducing packaging and using boxes made from recycled cardboard
• Using solar- and wind-powered energy to operate the winery
• Purchasing carbon offsets against the massive effect wine transport( via trucks, trains, and ships) has on the environment
• Harvesting organically grown grapes free of fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, etc.
• Hand picking and sorting reduces the use of machinery and fuel emissions
We often get hung up on searching for organic or biodynamic wines for healthy living, but don’ t forget: it is not only what is inside the bottle but all the factors that contribute to that bottle being on the store shelf that add up to its impact on the environment.
�
Tre Bicchieri by Gambero Rosso is the most prestigious wine award for Italian wines.
Three Glasses for Tolaini
Valdisanti 2008
20,000 wines tasted
375 Tre Bicchieri awarded
• Every year, Italian publisher Gambero Rosso samples the best of Italian wines, and awards the most extraordinary of these the coveted Tre Bicchieri award.
• Tolaini Estates’ 2008 Valdisanti was officially recognized in October 2011.
• Valdisanti will be included in Vini d’ Italia, one of Europe’ s most respected wine guides. on the homefront
While Canada as a country lags behind the international standard for environmental responsibility, we have reason to be proud of individuals and companies who make an effort to reduce their carbon footprint. A glowing example is Niagara’ s Stratus Winery, the first winery in North America to be carbon neutral and LEED( Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. Show your support for their efforts by trying their exquisite wines.
Wildass 2006 White Niagara VQA $ 23.99 Wildass 2008 Red Niagara VQA $ 26.99 Stratus 2007 Riesling Icewine Niagara VQA $ 48.99 Stratus 2006 White Niagara VQA $ 57.99 Stratus 2006 Red Niagara VQA $ 57.99
Eco-friendly tags on Banville & Jones Wine Co. store shelves indicate wines from around the globe that are produced under four categories: sustainably produced, organic, biodynamic, and carbon neutral.
vinid’ Italia
2012
1616 St Mary ' s Rd • Winnipeg, MB 948-WINE( 9463) • www. banvilleandjones. com
Imported exclusively by