Wine features brought to you by The Oxford Times Wine Club

The sun may be shining now (or at least, it is as I write this) but the dreadful July weather has left us all a bit shell-shocked. I am no scientist and what links there may be between the recent torrential downpours and global warming, it is not for me to comment. What I will say is that I've certainly been thinking that bit harder about the environmental impact of my actions. I've been making a conscious effort to cut down on the number of journeys I make in my car; I'm recycling more and there's not a piece of electrical equipment that's left on stand-by. Small measures these may be, but it's a start.

The wine industry, too, is taking its environmental responsibilities increasingly seriously. Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the Wine & Sprits Trade Association, said: "The WSTA is working with officials and other trade representatives to develop an international methodology for calculating carbon footprints for wine. A key target area for CO2 reductions is transportation: not necessarily just in relation to distance travelled, but also the method of transport.

"The Waste & Resources Action Programme estimates that shipping wine from Australia in bulk reduces CO2 emissions by 164g per 75cl bottle (a saving of approximately 40 per cent when compared to bottling at source)."

Carbon emissions can be further reduced by reducing the weight of bottles being used or even replacing glass with plastic. Selling certain wines in plastic bottles is seen by many to be a positive step for the environment as plastics tend to have a higher proportion of recycled content than the heavier glass bottles.

The latter are not being recycled as they should and the glass bottle mountain is growing.

If importers are having to think hard, so too are the winemakers. Organic vineyard management is an obvious path to take and an increasing number of producers acknowledge the importance of using as few chemicals in the vineyard as possible. Leading Spanish winemaker Miguel Torres said: "At Torres, we practise viticulture that respects the environment, using biological alternatives instead of products that have an aggressive impact on the environment."

Where new wineries are being built there is an increasing environmental emphasis. Solar panels, rain water collection facilities and improved resources for recycling are increasingly the norm. The Stoller winery in Oregon cools its cellars by capturing the cool night-time air, and pumping it into the winery's lowest point.

Given all the work that's being put in by producers and importers alike it would be a blow to undo it all at the end of the journey. Always recycle your bottles and if you end up with a plastic cork that you're not too sure what to do with, have a surf on www.recyclethis.co.uk, which is a mine of useful tips. If your wine bottle is sealed with a screw cap, recycle the bottle and cap separately, as the latter will contaminate the glass. Let's not forget that a more finely-tuned environmental conscience doesn't preclude having fun. My diesel consumption may be down, but wine intake is much the same.

Now that the sun has finally made an appearance, there's been more than one opportunity to enjoy a glass or two in the garden with friends. This week's "Summer Specials" case from The Oxford Times' Wine Club contains a great selection of wines to enjoy. As you know, I'm a real Gascony enthusiast and the unoaked white is perfect for the warmer days.

And, while the Broken Earth Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon may not have best name to accompany a feature on the need to care for our planet, it is a thoroughly enjoyable tipple.

Bear in mind too that as these wines are being delivered from a local supplier, it is good news for the environment too.

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2:09pm Thursday 16th August 2007

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