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Green Wine for Ireland
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by Caoimhin1 | June 27, 2008 at 03:58 am
464 views | 47 Recommendations | 15 comments
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In our globalised economy and lifestyle many things have changed here in Ireland. The increase in discretionary income has allowed for more frequent travel, a larger variety of exotic food and beverages on our grocery shelves, and some changes in our consumption patterns. One notable item features high on our new shopping list, wine, the Irish are now in love with the nectar of the vine.
Amid all the controversy with global warming, fuel prices, and a slumping world economy the French wine growers, Irish truckers, UK and Scottish fisherman, and others around Europe are reacting to rising costs, EU controls and dwindling profits by holding strikes, slow downs and riots. Is this a sign of the times and a preview of what is to come? Or, will we take a pro-active stance, adapt as humans are capable of, and rise to the challenges we face as we approach peak oil?
In late July a ship will quietly leave a dock in France bound for Irish shores, it's hold will contain 12,000 bottles of wine for the thirsty Irish market, and it will be using free fuel. A three-masted schooner, the Kathleen & May, is scheduled to deliver her cargo to the Dublin port on the 25th of July. Over one hundred years old, the sailing vessel is one of many operated by the Compagnie de Transport Maritime a la Voile, and according to company executives will save nearly 5 ounces of carbon emissions per bottle.
Will we again see horse drawn wagons and a return of the canal barges in Dublin? We can only hope!
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Caoimhin1
Dunshaggin, Ireland
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (15)
at 04:10 on June 27th, 2008
Thanks Johnny! ;)
at 05:46 on June 27th, 2008
Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 05:48 on June 27th, 2008
Thanks for the flag Rob!
at 06:55 on June 27th, 2008
Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.
Ahhh, yes, let's return to sailing ships and horses. Eco-friendly and much more relaxing. And let there be wine and much song!
at 07:07 on June 27th, 2008
That's the spirit PEP! :)
at 07:28 on June 27th, 2008
I've had the fun of traveling with the Bicenntenial Wagon Train in '76 as writer...loved it. Taking all day to travel 17 miles slows the world down and focuses on real things. I lived in a tent one summer helping to walk an Eagle Staff around Lake Superior. Wonderful.
We need to re-connect with sweet Mother Earth rather than ride roughshod over her. We need to re-connect with each other, in our own neighborhoods, as people sharing an environment and experience.
And we do need to get together for more wine and song. Party at your house?
at 08:40 on June 27th, 2008
Well said PEP, I will have another article soon about "neighborhoods" that will go along with this story. Party at my house? Sure thing! ;)
at 08:12 on June 27th, 2008
this is interesting to read. generally speaking, using cargo ships is better than airline travel. i guess since there is a large cargo port, it has been done traditionally, and is done rigt now for a lot of goods.
recently i have seen rice wine bottles made from plastic! the alcohol content is 14.5, and there is absolutely no bad taste.
somewhere else (in a print magazine, thanks PEP for comments on my stories) i have read that real red wine is now shipped in special tetra paks (coated cardboard).
the energy bilance to manufacture the bottles is terrible- including the making, the transport, and the recycling.
so if people who run this initiative read this- why not use the plastic bottles, or tetra paks. nowadays it is maybe required to use glass bottles- in ten years, glass bottle buyers are called energy hogs.
at 08:14 on June 27th, 2008
Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 10:32 on June 27th, 2008
Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.
An interesting story - thanks so much for sharing it! I wish I could see it!
at 02:12 on June 29th, 2008
Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.
This is 'bluddy' brilliant!
You have made my day, Cao!
And I raise my glass to thank you!
Time: 8:11PM, Sunday evening, Melbourne AU
Slán aChara!
Mairéid
at 02:59 on June 29th, 2008
Go raibh maith agat an Chara Maireid! Slainte! :)
at 01:15 on July 24th, 2008
Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 01:22 on July 24th, 2008
Thanks lads for the flags! :)
at 05:40 on July 24th, 2008
Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff. A nice piece of writing. Ireland's one of the most enjoyable countries to visit. Somehow even with all the bureaucratic rules and regulations the Irish still manage to enjoy themselves.