Earth Day, Veramonte Winery, and the Power of Organic Grapes

Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22nd, is dedicated to increasing awareness of our planet's environmental issues and promoting positive change. The event, first celebrated in 1970, has since become a global movement. Every year, people worldwide come together to participate in various activities, from planting trees and cleaning up litter to discussing climate change and advocating for sustainable living. One of the key areas where sustainable living can make a difference is in the production and consumption of our food and drink.

Earth Day is an important reminder that our actions directly impact the environment. Climate change, deforestation, pollution, and the depletion of natural resources are all problems that require our immediate attention. Earth Day provides a platform to raise awareness about these issues and motivate individuals, communities, and businesses to take action to pursue a greener, more sustainable future.

One area where we can make a difference is in our consumption habits, particularly in the food and drink industry. By supporting environmentally friendly and sustainable practices, we can help to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier planet.

Veramonte Winery in Chile is an excellent example of an organization promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Veramonte Winery is a pioneer in sustainable and environmentally friendly winemaking practices in the Casablanca and Colchagua Valley of Chile. With a deep understanding of the need to preserve the environment for future generations, Veramonte Winery has focused on organic farming practices to cultivate their grapes. These practices promote biodiversity, protect the environment, and produce healthier, more flavorful wines.

Veramonte Winery's commitment to organic farming means that their vineyards are free from synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Instead, they utilize natural pest control methods, such as cover crops, insect predators, and organic compost to maintain healthy vineyards. This commitment to organic farming extends throughout the winery's production process, from planting and cultivation to harvesting and winemaking.

By using organic grapes, Veramonte Winery is able to reduce the environmental impact of their wine production while also preserving the natural characteristics of their terroir. The result is a range of high-quality, environmentally friendly wines that reflect the unique qualities of the Casablanca and Colchagua Valley.

Celebrating Earth Day with Veramonte Winery

As Earth Day approaches, it is essential to recognize and support businesses like Veramonte Winery committed to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. By choosing wines made with organic grapes, we can celebrate Earth Day and contribute to the global effort to protect our planet. As we raise our glasses in a toast to Earth Day, remember that every small action, like choosing sustainable products, can make a significant difference in the world around us.

So this Earth Day, explore the diverse and flavorful world of organic wines from Veramonte Winery, and let's toast to a greener, more sustainable future! 

Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Casablanca Valley $13.99 Sauvignon Blanc is harvested at night so it will maintain fresh and bright acidity. The 2022 vintage began great but took a while to ripen. It hung on the vines a bit longer than usual to reach its maximum aromatic potential and concentration of flavors we all know and love from this region. A beautiful spring and summer Sauvignon Blanc. Its fresh with juicy white grapefruit and a hint of lime and salinity with puckering acidity.

Veramonte Chardonnay 2022 Casablanca Valley $13.99  The Chardonnay grapes are harvested first thing in the morning and whole clustered pressed. Some of the wne is barrel fermented in neutral oak with wild yeasts, while the rest is put in stainless steel tanks. Thirty percent of the wine goes through spontaneous malolactic fermentation. Nice minerality and silky on the palate, hint of salinity with great expression of the grape.

Veramonte Pinot Noir 2020 Casablanca Valley $13.99 The Pinot Noir grapes are harvested at night. Fifteen percent goes through whole cluster maceration and fermentation to achieve greater structure. The grapes are fermented in small open tanks with native yeasts. With hot summer and less precipitation during the winter months led to an earlier harvest. The grapes had lower yields but were very expressive and aromatic. Aromas of vanilla, hint of ashtray and earth escape from the glass. On the palate nice strawberry, vanilla, hint of acidity, silky mouth feel and tannins. 

 

Kiss the Ground and Wash it Down with Veramonte Wines - Happy Earth Day

Happy Earth Day! Today, we celebrate Earth and all the wonderful things the earth gives us. But, we take a lot from it. Do we ever think about giving back to earth, becoming more sustainable and ways we can protect our planet?

Veramonte Wines takes this task very seriously. Veramonte is located in Chile. Their vineyards in Casablanca is planted with their white and cool climate grapes, while the reds are planted in Colchagua.

All their vineyards are 100% organic. Their organic practices consist of the following:

• Quality Compost - they use their own compost to maximize the soil and promote balance and self-regulation of the ecosystem.
• Inter-Row Cultivation - To improve the structure and vitality of their soils, cover crops are planted in between rows. This minimizes erosion, improves soil structure and provides nutrients to the soil.
• Incorporation of Animals - Sheep and other animals act as natural fertilizer in addition, cut(eat) grass in the spring and aerate the soil (with their feet)
• Conservation of Biological Corridors - by preserving biodiversity ensures a self-regulating ecosystem, thus having healthy vines
• Pruning & Canopy Management - Ensure proper ventilation and the right amount of foliage to avoid diseases.
• Weed Control - They cultivate the land under the vines. This loosens the soil and generates structure for the vines and enhances the life and microfauna of the soil. The goal is to have healthier soils rich in micro-organisms.

Veramonte has partnered with the non-profit organization Kiss the Ground, which was created to focus its efforts on healthy soils and creating a symbiotic relationship with the earth. Their mission is to awaken people to the possibilities of regeneration.

With every purchase of Veramonte wines, they will contribute to Kiss the Ground and its mission.

Veramonte Wines is priced at $11.99

Veramonte Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2021 - An impressive Sauvignon Blanc with aromas of white grapefruit and lemon zest. The palate is soft with bright acidity and nuisances of white grapefruit, lemon and lime zest. A great summer white! (Found it at Total Wine for $7.99)

Veramonte Organic Chardonnay 2020 - Aged for eight months in oak, this Chardonnay is very easy drinking. Aromas show a hint of vanilla with honeydew melon pear and green apple. The palate is creamy with notes of pear, lemon and green apple.

Veramonte Organic Carmenere 2020 - Aged in French oak for eight months, the 2020 Carmenere is full of red and black fruit. The palate is smooth and balanced and has a nice even finish.

Celebrate 50 Years of Earth Day

Happy Earth Day! Earth Day is celebrated all over the world today. A celebration that began in1970 becasue people were upset about the care of the state of our planet. Today is a national day to focus on our environment.

Many wineries are making green practices a priority. They are using natural farming techniques and biodynamic farming. There are different forms of certification around the world from Demeter, to Lodi Rules and other regional organizations that vary in each country.

These wineries are focused on leaving a smaller environmental footprint and should be supported not just today, but everyday from around the world. Happy Earth Day!

Yalumba - Australia

Focusing on sustainability, Yalumba’s philosophy is to respect the natural environment and surrounding. The winery sets aside hundreds of hectares for land conservation management and for every hectare of vineyard they own, they have at least one that is natural vegetation. They are also involved in the Australian Packaging Covenant which is an initiative that aims to increase sustainable packaging, increase recycling and reduce package litter.

2018 Yalumba Organic Shiraz SRP $19 - The grapes come from 4 vineyards that are organically certified. The Carypides family vineyards in the Adelaide Plains, The Barich family vineyard on the Murray River at Loxton, Palena family vineyards near Barmera in the Riverland and Strachan family vineyard in McLaren Vale. This is 100% Shiraz and fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks. It is a vegan wine as well.

The wine is dark in color with violet hues. Complex aromas of blackberry, blueberry and vanilla. The palate enjoys flavors of black and blue fruits with a hint of spice and licorice. The finish is tart yet juicy.

Loimer Lois - Austria

We head to Austria where we find the estate of Fred Loimer in Kamptal with 65 hectares farmed all biodynamicly.Practicing biodynamics since 2006. Fred is a founding member or Respekt which is the certifying body for biodynamic citiculture in Austria. To be certified, you must produce the highest quality wine and treat your vineyard as its own ecosystem. The growing philosophy is based on the rhythms and cycles of the earth, moon, sun stars and planets.

2018 Lois Gruner Veltliner SRP $17 - This 100% Gruner Veltliner is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks and is vegan. Nice minerality and acidity with mountain freshness and nuances of green apply, citrus, and thyme.

Wine & Soul - Portugal

Located in the heart of the Douro Valley Wine & Soul focuses on natural farming. They don’t use any chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. Irrigation is minimal and they use indigenous yeast for most fermentation. They are currently pending their organic certification.

Pintas Character 2016 SRP $37 - This wine is a field blend from 30 different varieties from the 45 year old Vale de Mendiz vineyard. Some of the varieties are indigenous to Portugal like; Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional. After fermentation the wines aged for 18 months in 50% new and 50% second year French oak barriques. The number on the cork refers to the edition of the wine.

What a powerful wine! Red plum, red raspberry, cherry and red currant with chewy tannins and a hint of spice. Paired it with a beef stew - perfect!

Anima Negra

This wine hails from Mallorca, Spain where the winery prioritizes itself on natural farming. The vines are dry-farmed, no fertilizer or chemical insecticides or herbicides are used. They follow biodynamic practices and all fermentation is done with indigenous yeast.

2018 Quibia - Quibia gets its name from an aspirational worry-free state of mind. Something we all need today! The wine is a blend of 3 indigenous grapes each contributing different qualities to the wine. 60% Callet brings texture and tartness to the wine. 30% Premsal adds the roundess and 10% Giro Ros adds the backbone of acidity. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged on the lees for 4 months. Upon the immediate pour you can smell the sea with notes of white peach and jasmine. The palate is soft and silky with hints of peach, pears and a burst of acidity on the finish.