News

New sustainability roadmap unveiled for Centre-Loire producers

03 February 2023 By Louis Thomas

The Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins du Centre (BIVC), with help from its technical arm (SICAVAC) and other Centre-Loire representative bodies, has published a new environmental charter.

Based on HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) label requirements and adapted to Centre-Loire vineyards, the new environmental charter covers viticultural practices, waste management, landscape planning and biodiversity.

It opens by explaining the urgency of the situation: “Increased climatic hazards, disruption of the seasons, depleted natural resources, so many challenges that led us to the following conclusion: we must act. It is difficult today for players in the sector to ignore environmental issues that are emerging and will continue to emerge through new regulations.”

The three key pillars of the strategy to deal with these challenges are, according to the charter: balance, harmony, and finesse.

As part of this push for greater environmental sustainability, a new diagnostic tool has been unveiled. Taking the form of a simple online questionnaire, which also contains technical advice and recommendations, it has been designed to facilitate the transition of Centre-Loire producers towards more sustainable practices. The tool can also assess the progress of growers on that journey, and offer advice on what actions should be taken.

BIVC director Edouard Mognetti marked this milestone: “Our new Environmental Charter has been a long-term collective endeavour and represents the ambitions and values of Centre-Loire artisanal winegrowers. It is part of a global progressive strategy to remain in control of our destiny and to go further than legal obligations in order to anticipate future constraints.”

Centre-Loire includes the AOPs of Sancerre, Pouilly Fumé, Pouilly-sur-Loire, Menetou-Salon, Quincy, Reuilly, Coteaux du Giennois and Châteaumeillant. The region produces 238,341 hectolitres per annum, 53% of which is exported abroad. At present, 31% of the 695 producers are certified organic or in conversion, and 10% are HVE certified.