English wine is the eco-friendly option

I’ll drink to that! The rise in eco-friendly English wine

Many people these days are concerned about food miles, so try to reduce the amount of air-freighted food they consume. But few people consider the impact of ‘wine-miles’. This is partly due to the popularity of New World wines, but partly because, while the UK is well-known for the quality of its beers and ciders, it is not traditionally seen as a wine-producing country. Now a number of producers are trying to change this, and raise awareness of the quality wines available in our own back yard. One such producer is Davenport Wines, based in Sussex and Kent. Started by Will Davenport in 1991, the vineyards stopped using herbicides in 1996 and were registered with the Soil Association in 2000. Covering 20 acres of land, they now produce a range of award-winning organic wines – including sparkling – that give any imported wines a run for their money. These are not only the eco-friendly option because of their organic production methods, but also because, by drinking these wines, consumers are helping cut ‘wine miles’ and supporting a growing British trade. If, however, you love your New World wines too much to switch, there are still ethical alternatives. For instance, Friarwood wine merchants in the UK sell a selection of Fair Trade wines from Ormer Bay, including a range of vegan wines, which ensure their South African producers get a fair wage for their work. There are also now a selection of organic champagnes and cavas available. So whatever your tipple, you can always make a greener choice.

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