Apparently, the will and efforts to save the environment aren’t only restricted to road transportation and the aviation industry. Now, even the major big hitters are striving to pitch in their efforts to make a mark in the eco-friendly ways to transport wines and other alcoholic beverages. One of the foremost wine exporters, Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, has devised unique way of wine export, that is not only environment friendly, but it also provides a glimpse into the past, amounting to some hundred years ago.
The international wine exporter will be exporting some of its most exquisite wines by means of sailing ships, as it was done ages ago. Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte has resurrected the 106 year-old British ketch Bessie Ellen, sailing ship, that will embark on is journey from Bordeaux, France on July 21st, 2010 and will dock in Montreal, Canada. The entire trip will take approximately 25 days to complete, and the ship will carry 20,000 bottles of Smith Haut Lafitte and bottles from from Château de Cayx, along with wine bottles from Borie de Maurel (Languedoc). This one of a kind export trip is said to cost 20% more than the conventional modern container shipping.
However, the shipping company, CTMV, a Dublin based and French operated company has stated that, even with the increased shipping cost, the travel would in fact prove to beneficial for the wines, as the 25 days of sailing would add to the wines’ aging process, thereby adding extra taste to the drinks.
Via DeCanter
