In keeping with the country’s status as one of the most eco-progressive winemaking nations, local winemakers are starting to introduce lighter wine bottles into their collections to help off-set their carbon footprints.As reported in the Business Report recently, sales of individually packaged South African Wines in the UK rose by 11 percent in 2009 and Wines of South Africa (WOSA), expect further growth this year.

With wine being this country’s largest agricultural export, earning in excess of R6 billion in foreign exchange in 2008, the expectant further growth this year is good news for the country’s economy. On the flip side, what impact is this going to have on the industry’s carbon footprint? With the timeous introduction of lighter wine bottles into the South African wine market, hopefully not much. The 750ml screwcap wine bottles weighing a mere 350g ‘ as opposed to 500g for traditional wine bottles ‘ are being introduced into the market this year and will be available to local winemakers.