Welcome back everybody. As consumers this holiday season, our purchases can make an impact. And if wine is on your gift list, you can shop with intention since many wineries are prioritizing sustainability and community support.
Here to highlight wines that taste good and do good is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes! Welcome back to the show!
Welcome, Natalie.
Great to be back with you! I think of these wines as drinking with a conscience — we get to feel virtuous and tipsy at the same time.
Natalie, the first winery we’re visiting is located here in Ontario.
Our first stop is Pelee Island Winery in Southern Ontario.
The island is home to more than 100,000 species of plants, insects and animals. Tens of thousands of monarch butterflies hold a convention for a few days on the island each year, before they flutter their way down to Mexico for the winter.
In their respect for the island’s ecosystem, the winery doesn’t use insecticides, but rather natural fertilizers and they’re reforesting unproductive land.
They also work with the Nature Conservancy of Canada on fundraisers that help preserve and restore the wetlands.
Pelee Island Winery, Southwestern Ontario
What are we sampling?
The island’s rich biodiversity is reflected on several of the winery’s labels, including this crisp Pinot Grigio which features the swallowtail butterfly.
Pelee Island Winery Pinot Grigio
Southwestern Ontario
The wine offers aromas of lime zest and lemon sunshine.
This would make a terrific gift wine because it tastes great and has a feel-good story behind it. It’s just $16.95 so it would be a great wine to stock for your holiday gatherings.
We’re heading to Spain next. Who are you highlighting there?
We’re going to Bodegas Beronia, the first winery in the world to achieve the highest Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design sustainability certification.
It sets the global benchmark in sustainable viticulture, reusing rainwater, natural light, thermal solar panels and integrated waste management. It’s the first winery in the world to appoint a Chief Sustainability Officer.
Beronia has also organized several fundraisers with the World Central Kitchen to help Ukraine war refugees with clothing, cookware and financial support.
As well, the winery contributes financially to several other NGOs, Non-Governmental Organizations, and soup kitchens for disaster relief in other regions.
Beronia Reserva, Rioja, Spain
What Spanish wine have you brought for us?
We have the Beronia Reserva, a complex red with aromas of dark red fruit, smoke, and earth.
Beronia Reserva
Rioja, Spain
It’s a terrific gift wine at $24 for when you want to say I care about you and the planet.
Next we’re visiting Dreaming Tree Wines in California. What good are they doing?
Dreaming Tree Wines is a collaboration between winemaker Grayson Stewart and the Grammy award-winning musician Dave Matthew, proof that you can rock both a guitar and a wine barrel.
Not only does it practice sustainable viticulture, but the winery has also donated more than $2 million to environmental charities, including its goal to plant 4 million trees with the Nature Conservancy.
A tree is planted every time you buy a bottle of their Cabernet and Crush Red. Generosity is part of their blend.
Dreaming Tree Wines, California
Very cool! What are we sipping?
We’re tasting the Dreaming Tree Crush Red Blend, a liquid silk smooth, robust red wine blend with voluptuous aromas of ripe dark berries and plums.
This is also a great gift wine at $20.
Dreaming Tree Wines Crush Red
California
Next up on our wine tour is Argentina. Where are we visiting?
We’re flying over to the stunning Andes Mountains in Argentina to visit the winery Terrazas de Los Andes.
In addition to reusing wastewater for irrigation, Terrazas also changed to lightweight bottles for their Reserva wines in 2021, drastically reducing their carbon footprint.
Mendoza is an arid desert region, so the most precious resource is water from the glaciers in the Andes Mountains. Terrazas launched the “Glaciers for Life” program with The Nature Conservancy to help preserve snow cover, rivers and glaciers in the country. It integrates scientific research, educational activities and communication at a global level.
As well, the winery also contributes financially and provides educational programs in rural mountain schools like “My Tree, My School and Me,” with more than 4,000 students in 28 schools planting and adopting trees.
Terrazas de Los Andes, Argentina
What do you have for us to taste?
The Terrazas Malbec is bursting with aromas of plum, cherry and mountain spices.
It’s a great gift wine at $20, or to pair with your holiday turkey.
Terrazas Malbec
Argentina
We’re off to British Colombia to visit the Burrowing Owl Estate Winery. What are their values all about?
We’re heading home to British Columbia to visit Burrowing Owl Estate Winery.
The winery has raised over $2 million for conservation projects, including the endangered burrowing owl in Canada.
They contribute a portion of their tasting fees to the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of British Columbia, which works towards the conservation and recovery of this species. They really do give a hoot!
As well, every year, the winery also donates $100,000 to Canadian charities in health care, education and the arts.
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
What do you have for us to sample?
You’re tasting the Burrowing Owl Chardonnay, a richly textured, full-bodied white wine with aromas of pear and butterscotch.
This lovely wine is $34 and I’d pair it with your holiday mashed potatoes.
Burrowing Owl Chardonnay
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
We’re ending our journey somewhere spectacular. Where are you taking us in France?
We’re heading to the oldest champagne house in the world, Ruinart.
It has commitments to biodiversity and eco-packaging. They use a 100% paper case that’s entirely recyclable and molded to the shape of the bottle. This reduces the bottle’s packaging carbon footprint by 60%.
Ruinart Champagne, France
Ruinart also has a longstanding relationship with the art world. It currently sponsors more than 30 international art fairs each year.
It also offers the “Prix Maison Ruinart”, awarded to an emerging photographer whose works are presented at the prestigious Paris Photo exhibition and other major art fairs.
Tell us about these bubbles.
Ruinart was the first champagne house to create a Blanc des Blancs, white wine made from white grapes — 100% Chardonnay grapes.
This is a lively, fresh champagne with notes of white peach and toasted hazelnut. The strands of pearl-like bubbles carry you through to a long finish.
This would be a fabulous gift wine or an extra special way to ring in the new year. It’s $143, but worth the splurge for an occasion.
Ruinart Brut Blanc des Blancs Champagne
France
Natalie, these suggestions are fantastic! Any final words of wisdom for our viewers?
Here’s to wines that nourish the earth as well as our souls.
On Instagram , I’m at @NatalieMacLeanWine , and online, my website is nataliemaclean.com.
Natalie, thank you for sharing these fabulous wineries and the initiatives they support! Cheers everyone!
Posted with permission of CTV.
