How to Decode a French Wine Label
Raise your hand if you’ve ever chosen a wine based on its label art. Yup, we thought so (and, for the record, we have too). There’s so much information to
Accelerating a sustainable future for wine.
Our collective future depends on us giving back to the living systems sustaining us. We are committed to a sustainable future, and we’re using our business and our voices to make it happen. This is why we created
1% For Wine.
You’re making it happen.
One percent of your membership subscription, Experience Kit and Wine purchases go to funding innovative new ideas and research making a positive impact on a sustainable future for wine.
Why?
There’s a good chance the wine you’re drinking doesn’t taste great, was made from conventionally farmed grapes produced with chemicals that are harmful to your health, and contributes to environmental destruction.
Responsibly made wines taste better, are better for you, and better for the planet. Wines labeled organic, biodynamic, or that have other eco-certifications rate on average six points higher in professional blind tastings1. These wines are free of pesticides and herbicides and contribute to the regeneration of soils and the environment.
Less than 3% of the world’s wines are produced naturally today2. The good news is that number is growing, and we’re doing our part to accelerate the transition in the vineyard, the winemaking process, and the packaging and distribution of wine. By 2030, our goal is to have at least 10% of the world’s wine produced responsibly.
1"Does Organic Wine Taste Better? An Analysis of Experts' Ratings," Magali A. Delmas, Olivier Gergaud, and Jinghui Lim, Journal of Wine Economics, Volume 11, Number 3, 2016
2"Organic Wine Report 2013-2023," The IWSR, February 2017
Who?
We work only with responsible winemakers who take care of their little piece of the planet and pledge to keep it free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fungicides in order to produce better quality wine and improve the environment for future generations.
But consumers play a big part too. The products we buy and use every day shape the world around us. We must raise consumer awareness about the detrimental effects of the status quo in wine and the importance of more responsible wine production, distribution and consumption.
Education is key. The most important educators are our wine advisors who care deeply about the future of the world of wine. Passionate, knowledgeable and welcoming wine educators are the vital conduit between the producer and consumer.
How?
We don’t have all the answers, but we strive tirelessly to find solutions. The types of projects we will support focus in these areas.
• Alternatives to synthetic chemicals
• Development of drought and disease-resistant plants
• Holistic landscape management, permaculture and regenerative agriculture
• Global soil fertility and arable land preservation
• Biodiversity restoration and conservation projects
• Regreening or reversing desertification and arid landscapes
• Carbon sequestration
• Accelerating the adoption of sustainable consumer behavior
Do you have an idea or project we should know about? Get in touch with us and be sure to provide a detailed description of your project.
Get In TouchIf you want to support the cause, become a member and join the movement building a sustainable future for wine.
Sign Me Up
Region in Focus: Burgundy
Burgundy is home to some of the best, most terroir-driven wines in the world. It was here, actually, that the concept of terroir was born; in the Middle Ages, Benedictine
Do Old Vines Produce Better Wine?
When it comes to wine, old age has cachet. Bottles from centuries past are among the world’s most sought-after, but it’s also widely and wrongly assumed that all vino gets better
Weird Wine Descriptors and What They Mean
Silky. Wooly. Velvety. Ever wonder why wine professionals describe wine like they would the contents of a sock drawer? It’s not winesplaining, it’s somm-speak, and it’s a useful language to
The Best Questions to Ask a Winemaker
Winemakers can be an elusive bunch. So on the rare occasion that you get face time with a vigneron during a tour or tasting, it’s normal to feel a little
The Best Way to Learn About Wine
Let’s face it: diving into the world of wine can be overwhelming. With so much information out there, it’s difficult to know where to start and what to focus on.
What Is an Appellation?
Each of us is shaped by the place we’re from—and wine is no different. The origin of a wine tells you what you can expect from a bottle, from taste
Are Sulfites Bad for You?
Over the years, sulfites have become an antagonist in the world of wine: from headaches to hangovers, the preservative compound has taken the blame for a wide range of bodily
What to Know About Orange Wine
The adage “what’s old is new again” holds true when it comes to orange wine. The ancient wine style is trending after dipping into relative obscurity over the past century.
Region in Focus: Bordeaux
Think of Bordeaux as the grandparent of the wine world. The French region has a storied history going back centuries, and to this day is grounded in traditions that have
What is Vintage and Why Does it Matter?
Of all the facts and figures listed on a wine label, the vintage—that is, the year the grapes were harvested—is perhaps the most overlooked. The date is not always prominently
What to Know About Tannins
You may not know what tannins are, but we’re willing to bet you’ve encountered them before. The plant-derived compound can be found in a variety of foods, including dark chocolate,
Everything You Need to Know about Natural, Biodynamic and Organic Wine
Sustainable wine may be having a moment, but the low-interventionist philosophy that underpins natural, biodynamic and organic winemaking stretches back thousands of years. Ultimately, these styles are about getting back
How Wine is Made
Humans have been making wine for at least 8,000 years. And while techniques have evolved, tastes have changed, and new regions have emerged over time, the raw ingredients and chemical
Get to Know the Primary Styles of Wine
It’s hard not to feel intimidated when you’re just starting to learn about wine. From the countless regions and industry jargon to the hundreds of exotic-sounding varietals, the subject can
Simone 2018: The science and art behind Château de Pommard’s rarest wine
Each year, Château de Pommard produces less than 1,800 bottles of Simone, its rarest cuvée, available on allocation only. Now for the first time, VIVANT members have the opportunity to
Pop a bottle and bring the champagne party online with VIVANT
It’s safe to say we’re all ready for the New Year. You might be counting down to midnight this year from home, but celebrations still call for bubbly. VIVANT is
A Guide to Major Ecolabels in the Wine World
You’re probably in the habit of looking for organic labels when shopping for groceries. When picking up a bottle of wine, don’t forget similar ecolabels help you identify responsibly made