This month, 60,000 bottles of wine from the southern Languedoc region of France being to Dublin, Ireland in a 19th-century barque, saving 8.324 kg (18,375 lb) of carbon, an estimated 140 grams (4.9 oz) of carbon per bottle, compared to the regular mode of shipment.
The 52-metre (170-feet), three-mast sailboat, which was launched in 1896 to bring cocoa and sugar to France from Belém, the gateway to the Amazon in Brazil, is the last French merchant sailing vessel and will sail to Dublin after a four day voyage from Bordeaux.
The wines will be delivered using the Canal du Midi and Canal du Garonne which run across southern France where the wines will be collected.
Each bottle carries a label with a stylised ship logo and the slogan, "Carried by sailing ship, a better deal for the planet".
The greenness of the project does not stop with the delivery of the wines.
The ship will bring an equivalent tonnage of crushed glass to France for wine bottle recycling. This will result in cheaper bottles and a better supply given the current problems some vineyards have getting enough bottles.
Eco-Friendly Sailing Wine
Languedoc Wine Carried by Sailboats
Trend Themes
1. Green Delivery - Using sailboats to transport goods reduces carbon emissions and offers a more environmentally friendly delivery option.
2. Sustainable Packaging - Shipping crushed glass for recycling promotes sustainable packaging practices and helps alleviate the current shortage of wine bottles.
3. Ethical Branding - Labeling products with a ship logo and the slogan 'Carried by sailing ship, a better deal for the planet' allows businesses to promote ethical and eco-friendly practices.
Industry Implications
1. Wine - The wine industry can adopt green delivery methods and sustainable packaging practices to reduce their carbon footprint and appeal to eco-conscious consumers.
2. Shipping - The shipping industry can explore the use of sailboats and other eco-friendly transportation options to offer more sustainable and environmentally responsible delivery services.
3. Packaging - The packaging industry can support the adoption of recycled materials and promote the benefits of sustainable packaging solutions for businesses and consumers.