Greener fizz
The consorzio imposed a ban on the artificial herbicide glyphosate in June, which Nardi said makes Prosecco “the largest wine zone in Europe to forbid the use of this well-known herbicide.”
It was introduced as part of the 2019 edition of its “viticultural protocol”, a set of guidelines that were launched in 2011 that advises growers in the region on how to be more environmentally sustainable.
Wineries the world over are starting to ramp up their green credentials, and Prosecco is no exception. UK supermarket Asda began selling Alberto Nani Organic Prosecco in June this year at £9. Italian wine group Ruffino, owned by Constellation in the US bought Poderi Ducali, a property with more than 126 hectares of organic vineyards in the Prosecco area, last year. It launched three new organic wines, including a Prosecco, in May.
The Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG consortium, meanwhile wants to implement a new project whereby producers in the region will each sustainability certifications through the independent S.Q.N.P.I (Sistema Qualità Nazionale Produzione Integrata) scheme. This encourages growers to minimise their use of synthetic substances for fertilisers and to control weeds and diseases.
The consorzio hopes that 25% of those signed up for the initiative will be certified by 2021, increasing by 10% each year thereafter.
