Slow Wine Fair: sustainability across the wine supply chain

Debates on packaging and environmental solutions accompany exclusive tastings of Italian and International wines

Press accreditation: Apply here https://slowinefair.slowfood.it/preaccreditation/ 

Following the 2024 edition’s focus on soil health, a crucial factor in wine quality, Slow Wine Fair returns to BolognaFiere from February 23 to 25, 2025, to foster discussions on sustainability throughout the wine supply chain. Topics will include bottling, transportation, storage methods, and their environmental impact, along with strategies to reduce carbon footprints and an exploration of various wine certification types.

Over 1,000 exhibitors from 29 countries will participate, with strong representation from France, Austria, Georgia, Slovenia, Germany, and Spain, alongside Italian producers. Delegates and winemakers from the Slow Food network will also attend, hailing from countries such as Ukraine, Japan, Bulgaria, Greece, Australia, Latvia, and Spain.

Running alongside SANA Food, the fourth edition of Slow Wine Fair unites members of the Slow Wine Coalition, winemakers, wine enthusiasts, and industry professionals—including buyers, restaurateurs, wine shop owners, importers, distributors, chefs, and sommeliers—for three days of dialogue on producing good, clean, and fair wine. The event will highlight innovations in packaging, bottling, transport, and storage aimed at reducing the environmental footprint.

Good, clean and fair wine

For years, Slow Wine has emphasized the significance of vineyard decisions and sustainable practices. Read the Slow Food Coalition Manifesto to learn more about the movement’s core principles.

Key Program Topics

Packaging and Sustainability

According to 2021 Eurostat data, EU citizens generated an average of 188.7 kg of packaging waste per capita—10.8 kg more than in 2020, marking the largest increase in a decade.

The Impact of Glass

Glass bottles are the traditional wine container, valued for preserving aroma and color. However, supply shortages, rising costs, and environmental concerns have led many producers to explore alternatives. Studies show that glass bottle production and transport account for 29% to 70% of a wine’s total carbon footprint. Alternative packaging solutions include wine-on-tap systems, Tetra Pak, bag-in-box, and aluminum or cardboard containers.

Packaging alternatives

Reducing bottle thickness and increasing recycling are two immediate steps toward sustainability. Advances in technology allow for lighter bottles that maintain durability while lowering CO₂ emissions and transport costs. Reusing glass bottles is another viable solution, as it consumes 25% less energy and 50% less water than recycling. A single high-quality bottle can be reused up to 25 times, reducing its carbon footprint by 40-50%.

However, logistical challenges remain, particularly since wine is often consumed far from where it is bottled. Washing facilities must be within 400 km of reuse sites to make this approach viable. Standardizing bottle designs could further reduce transport distances. Additionally, discussions will explore the role of corks, capsules, and labels in sustainability.

Slow Wine Fair: A Global Event for Sustainable Wine

Slow Wine Fair is an international gathering dedicated to wines produced through sustainable viticulture. It celebrates biodiversity, supports rural communities, and educates consumers about wine’s cultural significance.

The event also hosts the international meeting of the Slow Wine Coalition, a collaborative global network of key industry players. Over three days, hundreds of producers from Italy and beyond will convene at BolognaFiere to discuss the future of wine and viticulture. Sign the Slow Wine Coalition Manifesto and become a member!

More on: https://slowinefair.slowfood.it/en/ 

Practical Information