Some Wine Makers Love Climate Change

Is climate change actually good for wine vineyards? Some winemakers seem to think so, as it has helped them achieve consecutive years of excellent vintages. So they have little incentive to make any changes that would either adapt to climate change, or take measures to decrease their carbon footprint.

Are these winemakers correct, should we not care about climate change? Or are they blind to the true dangers ahead, and if so, how do you convince them otherwise?

In the current issue of Mother Jones magazine (August 2010), there is an interesting article,"Grapes of Wrath," by Mark Hertsgaard. It concerns the effect of climate change on vineyards and wine making, and is adapted from his forthcoming book, Hot: Living Through the Next Fifty Years on Earth.

Mark mentions how some winemakers are joyous about climate change. "Some of the most expensive wines in Spain come from the Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa regions," Pancho Campo, the founder and president of the Wine Academy of Spain, says. "They are getting almost perfect ripeness every year now for Tempranillo. This makes the winemakers say, 'Who cares about climate change? We are getting perfect vintages.' The same thing has happened in Bordeaux. It is very difficult to tell someone, 'This is only going to be the case for another few years.'" (p.38)

How do you argue with these winemakers? How can you convince them that these prime vintages won't last? It may be a very difficult task.

Mark continues with a dire prediction for vineyards in the U.S., though obviously the potential threat is worldwide. "If current trends continue, the "premium wine grape production area [in the United States]...could decline by up to 81 percent by the late 21st century," a team of scientists wrote in a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2006. The culprit was not so much the rise in average temperatures but an increased frequency of extremely hot days, defined as above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). If no adaptation measures were taken, these increased heat spikes would "eliminate wine grape production in many areas of the United States," the scientists wrote." (p.38)

Is this how most people react, unconcerned unless something directly affects them? And if it benefits them, are they are less likely to be concerned? When they finally act, will it be too late?

Another Ecofriendly Vodka: TRU

Is Vodka leading the the way for green alcohols? Just when I finished reviewing 360 Vodka, a very ecofriendly vodka, I read a news item about another ecofriendly vodka that will soon be on the market.

Modern Spirits is launching TRU, their own line of organic vodkas made from American wheat. I previously posted about the infused vodkas that they make, including their Rose Petal Artisan Vodka. Though the infused vodkas sounded interesting, they were pricey, about $24.99 for 375ml bottles and $43.99 for 750ml bottles. There will be three different flavors of TRU, Straight, Lemon and Vanilla.

For the TRU, their wheat is USDA certified organic and free of chemicals from field to bottle. The vodka is distilled through state-of-the art column stills that are supposed to produce the purest spirits possible in only one pass, saving energy. The vodka is then filtered through activated charcoal, said to be the most efficient filtering medium and combined with vapor-distilled water. TRU will come in 100% recycled, recyclable or biodegradable packaging. The bottles, weighing 620 grams, will use 25% less glass than the average vodka bottle. Even their marketing materials will try to be green.

In addition, Modern Spirits will plant a tree for every bottle sold. Through organizations such as Sustainable Harvest International, trees will be planted in tropical zones. Planting trees is not without controversy, some claiming it is not as effective as other methods. Though much depends on what types of trees are planted, where they are planted, etc.

TRU will enter the market around April 1, though only in six states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. So, we will be able to find them locally through Martignetti Companies. Interestingly, the price should be $34.99 for 750ml, which is less expensive than their other vodkas. I am interested to see whether the taste of this vodka is as good as the 360 Vodka.

Wine producers should also pay careful attention to the ecofriendly methods these vodka producers are using.

360 Vodka: A Very EcoFriendly Alcohol

Many people are concerned about the environment and seeking "green" products. Climate change is a hot topic and many are trying ways to reduce their carbon footprint. My friends over at Catavino recently attended a Climate Change and Wine Conference and their posts sparked some interesting discussion on these topics.

There is plenty of talk about "green" wines, of organic and biodynamic wines. But you see much less about other green practices used by wine makers. So what is the greenest wine, or other alcohol? And how do you judge what is greenest? Though that might be hard to determine, I think I have found a potential contender for the top spot. And it is not even a wine.

This contender is 360 Vodka and it is made in the U.S. I feel it is a top contender because its ecofriendly practices seem the most extensive that I have ever seen for any such product. Their green practices extend to all aspects of their business, from production to marketing and sales.

McCormick Distilling Co. Inc., located in Weston, Missouric, has been around since 1856 and is the oldest continuously operated distillery in the U.S. It recently created a new division, Earth Friendly Distilling Company, to produce their new product, 360 Vodka. This division is dedicated to a philosophy of eco-awareness and corporate responsibility.

They use 100% locally grown grains from northeastern Kansas and northwestern Missouri, which helps reduce emissions from transportation. The vodka is quadrupled distilled and five times filtered in an energy efficient way so that none of the grain goes to waste. Their production facility captures the carbon dioxide produced by distillation and they use 200% less energy than the common pot still method. They offset 100% of their electricty through Renewable Energy Credits.

Their ecofriendly ways extend to the packaging. Their bottles are made from 85% recycled glass to their labels and paper are made from chlorine free, recycled paper. Even the peanuts used in their packaging are 100% biodegradeable and dissolve in water. If you return the bottle closure (and they give you a handy envelope to do so), they donate $1 to environmental organizations.
They have even begun using hybrid and biodiesel trucks to transport their products in three states.

I should note that the carbon footprint from the transportation of wine and other alcohols can be high. For more information, check out Dr. Vino's research findings in that area. Thus, enacting ways to reduce the transportation carbon footprint are very important.

You can read much more about their "green" ways on their website. There are many more things that they do than the few I mentioned. The entire matter certainly impressed me and I think it helps create a high standard for other companies seeking to make a greener product.

But then comes an important test. How does 360 Vodka taste? How does it compare to other premium vodkas on the market?

This raises some additional questions and issues.

1) Would you buy this vodka because it is so ecofriendly, even if you felt the quality of the vodka was not as good as a less eco-friendly bottle, the price being equal?

2) Would you buy this ecofriendly vodka if it tasted the same as other premium vodkas, but was more expensive? If so, how much more money would you be willing to pay?

3) How much does the fact the vodka is ecofriendly factor into you purchasing decision?

Well, I did taste this vodka. I kept it in my freezer for a time so that it would be properly cold for me. I prefer my premium vodka ice-cold, either straight up or on the rocks. I won't mix a premium vodka with anything. I would rather use a lesser quality vodka if I am mixing. And how did I feel about the 360 Vodka?

I was very impressed with its taste. It is very clean and smooth with absolutely no bite or bad aftertaste. It definitely has its own unique flavor, making it a different taste than some other premium vodkas. Though its flavors are mild and elusive, hard to definitively identify. It makes for an excellent vodka and something I would definitely drink. And I am very picky with my vodka.

The 360 Vodka retails for about $25-30, which makes it comparable to most other premium vodkas. Taste wise, it is at the very least, the equal of other premium vodkas. And better than some, such as Grey Goose. So, the fact that it is a very ecofriendly company does seem to tip the scales in its favor, everything else being roughly equal. So, I would definitely recommend 360 Vodka. I have seen it in a number of local liquor stores so it should be easy to find.