Red, white and bubbly, wine can flow like water during the holidays. Beyond endless cheers and toasts, wine during the holidays compliments parties, meals and even gift-giving. You can still stick to your green guns while imbibing with this round-up of delicious and affordable eco-friendly wines.
Speaking of wine gifts, MyWinesDirect.com is offering %10 off any of their wines just for Greenwala readers. Use the coupon code GREEN when checking out.
Better Boxed
This isn't your standard sorority party boxed wine, CalNaturale's award-winning wines are made with Paso Robles grapes that have been farmed organically, without the use of any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. They also come in lightweight, unbreakable and completely re-closeable Tetra Pak packaging; no wasted wine and completely recyclable! Tetra Pak flexible packaging has half the carbon footprint of wines in glass bottles. Plus, it is super easy to tote around. CalNaturale wine currently comes in Cabernet and Chardonnay varieties, in two sizes, 500 ML and 1 liter cartons, and sold for $6.99 and $12.99, respectively. You can find a list of places to purchase here. Cheers!
The Best Bubbly
To me, bubbles make everything better and nothing says holiday or New Year's toast like a nice, cold flute of sparkling wine. (Ok, mistletoe and sugar cookies help too.) My pick for this season is the Brut Rosé bubbly from Domaine Carneros vineyard, the first and only sparkling winery in the United States with all estate vineyards certified organic that is also vegan-friendly. This means, no animal products or byproducts are used in the refining process. Instead, Domaine Carneros uses a clay-based product with no animal additives. Plus, they are delicious. Other varieties include Brut and Blanc de Blancs. Prices range from $26-$36.
The Prius of Wines
For the indecisive and eco-friendly, Girasole Vineyards "Hybrid Red" is the perfect blend of taste, price and compassion. Hybrid Red ($13) is a 100% vegan blend made with certified organic Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot grapes from Mendocino County. You can put your wine corks away, because the bottle comes fully equipped with a screw top closure. Grapes grown at family-owned Girasole Vineyards are hand picked and void of pesticides.
The Right White
An excellent compliment to Christmas dinner, CADE Winery's Savignon Blanc has aromas of spearmint, kiwi and gooseberry with flavors of lemon, lime, fig and guava and retails for only $26. CADE is California's first winery estate to be awarded the coveted LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification for the entire property - including the hospitality building, caves, and production facility. In addition to their grape growing and winemaking process, CADE utilizes solar power, organic farming methods and other green practices. If you're in their area, the winery offers tastings by appointment for $20. Visit www.cadewinery.com or email tastingroom@cadewinery.com for more info.
Carbon Neutral Cheers
Pour a glass from America's first carbon neutral winery, Parducci Winery. I love their "Sustainable Red," which has spicy, berry fruit flavors and retails for $10.99. It is their mission to become America's Greenest Winery and they contribute to this goal by making wine from locally farmed grapes, recycling 100% of winery waste water, using sustainable farming practices, utilizing 100% renewable green power and employing earth-friendly packaging. Parducci has received the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award in 2007 and 2009 for their environmentally sound practices and for holding the title as the nation's first carbon neutral winery.
Something for Everyone
Grandma likes white, but Dad likes red. You like organic, vegan wines. Good thing Organic Vinters has a selection some of the best certified organic wines from around the world. Their wines are made from all Organic Vintners wines are made from 100% certified organic grapes, grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides, and all but one are vegan. My recommendations? The Pircas Negras Torrontes and the Nuevo Mundo Reserva Cabernet/Malbec.
For the Designated Drivers
If alcohol isn't your thing, try Heavenly Red, a natural, vegan, alcohol free wine made with red grapes and exotic spices.
Happy Cheers-ing!
Erika, aka Bohemian Vegan, is a holistic nutrition counselor. She blogs at Bohemianvegan.com.
Elena Lipson
said on December 08, 2010