Well, it has been so hot I have not been drinking much wine this month. Yesterday, however, I received a postcard from Honig. The front of the card is very cool, and has a retro feel to it. It features people affiliated with the winery sunbathing. Some are holding what appears to be newspapers, but on closer examination, they are solar panels, or at least represent solar panels. The caption says, "Honig's gone solar!"
The back of the card has the caption, "Solar energy system: $1,000,000; Last month's energy bill: $1.19; Reduced carbon emissions: Priceless; HONIG; Sustainably farmed, (100%) solar powered."
Finally, it identifies the players on the front of the card as, "Back row: Steven Honig, Michael Honig, Natalie Morrison, Alesha Clarke, J.T. Valdez, David Cruz. Front row: Regina Weinstein, Tony Benedetti, Jenny Petschek, Kristin Belair, Elaine Honig."
I know I mentioned it before, but I LOVE HONIG. I also mentioned I felt it has been too hot to drink wine, but contradictorily I mentioned in my previous entry about Honig, that the Sauvingnon Blanc is perfect for a hot summer's day. The postcard, although intended to let me know that drinking Honig helps to sustain the environment, has actually reminded me how good a Sauvingnon Blanc can be on a hot summer's day. Tonight I will drink Honig. Aah, advertising told me what to do, and I am doing it!!
Beyond the wine itself, I definitely think it is making a bold statement to go solar. I also think wineries make a bold statement by using methods of viticulture that avoid chemicals that are harmful to humans, animals and the environment. I am a huge believer that what goes into the ground, goes into the produce, and finally goes into the body. My belief has only been strengthened by the recent revelations of E. coli tainted spinach, Salmonella tainted peanut butter (I had a jar of it, and can no longer stomach peanut butter), and Hepatitas A flavored onions, to name a few.
In France, food, nay, cuisine is of utmost importance. It is a cultural institution not to be toyed with. The importance of biologique (organic) foods is very high. The battle against Frankenfoods has reached colossal proportions. Folkheros such as José Bové have been born (although it doesn't seem to be an important political issue. When Bové ran for president he only received a little more than 1% of the popular vote amongst 11 candidates.) In France it is even normal to go to a supermarket, and obtain such specific information as what ranch a piece of beef came from. (That is not to say France is without its problems with the food supply, but rather, to illustrate the difference in attitudes between France and the U.S.)
In the United States the attitude seems to be different. You can still have a choice, although producers do not have to reveal the source of their produce, nor the methods with which they are produced. The only thing we have to go on, are producers who are claiming they do the right thing, and reveal their practices to their target audience that will purchase their products on that basis. Obviously those that don't use environmentally sound practices will say nothing. You can choose to purchase products from producers who claim to use environmentally sound practices, such as Honig for wine, Silk brand soymilk
This does not mean I will not eat or drink products that are made using unknown practices, but Honig is my favorite Sauvingnon Blanc, and a wine I regularly purchase. Maybe, just maybe it is due to the attitude and care taken in its production.
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