Consumers increasingly favor wines that not only protect the environment but also serve them directly. This trend has resulted in an explosion of labels with various sustainable certifications that abide by various standards and requirements.
Organic and natural are clearly defined and regulated terms; however, sustainability can be more vague and unclear. With so many organizations and criteria that define it differently for different wines, wine buyers need to understand what each label represents to make informed choices when purchasing wine.
As an example, a winery may proclaim their wines are “Sustainable”, however this term can mean anything from reduced pesticide use during grape growing to using recycled glassware in production and shipping processes. To truly be considered sustainable, vineyards must go beyond simply using less synthetic chemicals – instead looking at overall soil health, energy efficiency and water conservation measures in addition to social responsibility as well as employee wages when considering sustainability measures.
But there are also more specialized labels, like Biodynamic, which takes an holistic approach to vine cultivation with emphasis on regenerative practices that align with both terrestrial and celestial forces, or the more globally recognised Organic or High Environmental Value certification, which prioritizes traceability, transparency, biodiversity conservation, as well as traceability of production.
Vegan labels, which signify wines that are free from animal products like meat and dairy, are becoming more and more common. By clearly communicating this fact on their labels, wineries can comply with regulations while meeting customer demand for these alternatives. A flexible label vendor can be invaluable in creating labels tailored specifically to wineries’ goals – by communicating what you’re after with them they can ensure you receive products of exceptional design and functionality!