Sustainable, zero-waste wines from Borough Wines

Skin + Pulp guest writer Jenni Allen explores sustainable, zero-waste wines available from Borough Wines. Can we look after the planet AND drink high-quality, tasty wines?

129,000 tonnes of glass every year go into landfill from the hospitality sector alone, and only 70% of glass products from households (like our wine bottles) make it into the recycle centres. You can read more about what happens to your bottles here.

Borough Wines are rethinking what we’re drinking, offering wine on tap, commercial kegging, as well as a bottle return scheme as part of their Sustainable Wine Solutions project.

The winemakers they work with are committed to reducing their waste output and practice only the most sustainable grape growing and winemaking techniques. We’re not just talking Bob down the road who owns a few vines either, we’re talking serious winemakers, including premium producers from Bordeaux, Tuscany and Vinho Verde. 

But does it compromise the taste? No, my friends, it does not. Trying a wide selection of their wines (because I take my research seriously), I can confirm that the wine remains fresh, vibrant and delicious. 

Some of my top picks: 

Quinta De Santiago, Vinho Verde: Fresh and elegant. Not your typical VV, with citrus notes of lemon and orange, as well as a crisp palate with minerality and salinity on the finish. 

225 Bordeaux Supérieur, Damien Barton: Silky yet powerful, with rich, dark fruit (blackberry and bramble) with toast and baking spices. A modern, fresh take on a Bordeaux. 

Artisan Syrah by Lorenzo Zonin: Spicy and fruity, dominated by vibrant red plums and berries, cut with earthy tones and the famous Syrah peppery spice. 

Each of these picks comes in return scheme bottles, which can be easily identified by the white paint stripe.  To find out more about Borough Wines, visit them at London Borough Market or visit https://boroughwines.co.uk/

Jenni’s on Instagram at @oliveandthevine and you can find out more about her virtual wine tasting events on her website www.oliveandthevine.co.uk.