Green Wine for Ireland

by Caoimhin1 | June 27, 2008 at 03:58 am
464 views | 47 Recommendations | 15 comments

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Green Wine for Ireland

Green Wine for Ireland

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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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0
Caoimhin1

Thanks Johnny!  ;)

Rob Walker
Rob Walker
flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 05:46 on June 27th, 2008

Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.

0
Caoimhin1

Thanks for the flag Rob!

PEP
PEP
flagged this story as Good Stuff

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!

0
Caoimhin1

That's the spirit PEP!  :)

0
PEP

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?

0
Caoimhin1

Well said PEP, I will have another article soon about "neighborhoods" that will go along with this story.  Party at my house?  Sure thing!  ;)

0
nike6

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.

rahul
rahul
flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 08:14 on June 27th, 2008

Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Amy Judd
Amy Judd
flagged this story as 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!

Maireid Sullivan
Maireid Sullivan
flagged this story as Good Stuff

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

0
Caoimhin1

Go raibh maith agat an Chara Maireid!  Slainte!  :)

Paschen
Paschen
flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 01:15 on July 24th, 2008

Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.

0
Caoimhin1

Thanks lads for the flags!  :)

liamssoft
liamssoft
flagged this story as Good Stuff

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.

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Rob Walker
First Flagged at 5:46 AM, Jun 27, 2008 by Rob Walker
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