Sustainable wine that is vegan friendly, huge of flavour, and helps protect our oceans? Sea Change brings it all, and that's the sort of happy hour drink special I'm looking for! Get ready to delve deep into ethical and eco conscious wine brand Sea Change, and prepare to find your new favourite glass of goodness!
About Sea Change Wines:
If I have a mid week tipple it's almost always a glass of wine, and lately I've been thinking more about the impact of such a drink. Cue Sea Change and their eco friendly range of ethically sourced and sustainably packaged wines!
Not only are these great tasting vinos, the brand helps fund conservation projects globally! For each 75cl bottle sold, Sea Change donates to protect our oceans and the animals that live in them. A minimum of 25 (euro) cents is provided to their charity partners which include The International Sea Keepers Foundation, Ocean Generation, Bermuda Zoological Society, Olive Ridley Project, Ocean Wise, A Plastic Ocean Foundation, Rendu Ocean, and Sea Changers UK. That means that while you sip, you are helping save the seas!
Since launching in 2018, Sea Change has raised over €90,000 for their partners, plus the ethical wine brand has generated a lot of buzz. With the likes of The Mirror, Country Life, and Affinity Magazine highlighting the "refreshing, crisp and light" eco conscious rosé, this is a range that has been turning heads while also turning the tide.
But what sets Sea Change apart? What makes these wines sustainable?
But what sets Sea Change apart? What makes these wines sustainable?
"Bill, Toby, Simon and Ian came up with the idea for Sea Change after discussing the issue of single-use plastic with a Canadian customer at a global wine fair. What started as a casual discussion about the rubbish being washed up on the shores of British Columbia became the start of a new brand. Simon also felt a particular affinity for the coast, having spent several years living in Queensland, Australia and seeing the problem for himself."
Well, for this ethical wine brand it's all about reducing the impact without minimizing the flavour profile. With Sea Change you won't find any unnecessary plastics, but you will get upcycled materials, less glass (but the same standard size!), vegan friendly ingredients*, beautifully illustrated labels showcasing sea creatures, and delicious drinks sourced from eco conscious vineyards in France and Italy.
Sea Change has scrapped the plastic wrapping around the cork, opted for labels made from certified sustainable forests and 15% upcycled food waste, selected renewable plant based closures, reduced the amount of raw materials required to make the bottle which in turn lessens the amount of fuel burned in the process, and produced a great collection of staples so no matter your tastes you will find the perfect pairing for you. That's pretty great, right??
The eco friendly range of wines includes six labels - the starfish, seahorse, whale, dolphin, sea lion, and turtle. Nearly all of these are vegan, with only one (the seahorse rosé) being suitable for vegetarians rather than all, and customers can choose from a prosecco, riesling, two rosés, merlot, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, and negroamaro. And if you're lucky enough to live near a Star Pub you can also have a fresh glass of a specially made merlot or sauvignon from the sea turtle range!
I'm one for reds in winter and whites in summer more often than not, but I am definitely keen to try the whole selection as they sound lovely. And based on how nice the bottle I was gifted was, it will definitely be worth having a sip (or five!) of each bottle!
The Chardonnay is part of the dolphin label collection, and is from the Southern Italian region of Puglia. This award winning wine is an easy drinker that is ideal for either day or night, and it isn't too strong in terms of alcohol content either. I find it pretty tricky finding a genuinely tasty and interesting wine that isn't too strong, so I was very pleased to see that Sea Change created a chardonnay that falls in at 12%. A mid-week glass has never felt better!
The bottle itself is lovely with its colourful label and slightly textured paper, and it will be one I save to either repurpose as a vase for dried flowers or some sort of project or maybe just have on display in Tim's whisky bar. It's super cute, and it can definitely get people talking if served at a dinner do or get together. And the more we chat sustainability the better in my opinion.
Sea Change delivers a beautifully pale yellow chardonnay that hints at the more delicate nature of this vintage, and when you look into the profile of the wine you'll realize why it is so light. Unlike the majority of chardonnay on the market, this one is easy on the oak!
"Imagine in your mind’s eye, a picture of Puglia. Situated in the heel of Italy’s boot, it’s a landscape framed by the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic and constantly bathed in sunshine (except on our last visit!). Rich in culture and culinary delights, it is no wonder that Sea Change Chardonnay is bursting full of flavour and charisma. Not a 90’s style ‘over-oaked’ Chardonnay in any sense, but a modern take on a true classic that we think should be appealing to all."
This vibrant vegan wine smells so lovely, with notes of citrus and tropical fruits that will transport you to sunny days even in the middle of winter. It's so bright and fresh, and it definitely stands out for a chardonnay. It doesn't have the richness of a heavily oaked bottle, but replaces that quality with something modern and versatile. If you know someone who doesn't usually like this type of grape, Sea Change is the one to change their mind!
And when it comes to taste the beauty continues. The Sea Change chardonnay is clean and mouth-wateringly yummy, with a crisp initial pop followed by a fullness bursting with zingy flavour and a soft finish that makes you excited to take that next sip. It's a dry wine with lots of character and great balance, and it's one that I can see myself going back to again and again especially in the warm months.
Sea Change is on its way to making waves in the wine industry, and wishes to make a real difference both with their charitable donations and their passion for reducing waste. One of the founders, Ian, states "The industry is big enough to take its share of responsibility over the plastic pollution problem. Just because wine is not traditionally sold in single-use plastic bottles, it still uses plastic in closures and packaging and it’s time we all stopped and thought about the harm this can do long term.” And I couldn't agree more!
The eco conscious wines from Sea Change are also pretty affordable, especially when you consider all the good they are doing. I tend to go for a mix of price points ranging from £8 to £18 depending on how my bank balance is doing and what is on offer (though I do save a lot using a Norwich based service, Naked Wines, as I am a member and get their special rates). However, I always try to hit the 'sweet spot' to get the best quality for what I'm paying. Sea Change is in that perfect range, falling in at £8.49-£14.99 per bottle when you use the 'mix six' option.
If you're a wine drinker but also striving to do your part when it comes to living a greener lifestyle, Sea Change is a great solution - with their sustainable wine and powerful partnerships, this is a drink that is out to help drive change.
And if you want to grab a bottle you can check out the Sea Change shop or look up what shops stock this sustainable wine locally. You can pick from multi-buy offers, specially curated cases, or find somewhere to walk in and pick up a single one near you - but whichever you go for I'm sure you'll be happy with it!
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