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With public sentiment beginning to turn against high carbon shipping methods like air freight and cargo freighters, French wine producers are looking to the past for eco-friendly ways to ship their products.

This week almost 60,000 bottles of wine will be sent to Ireland on a traditional 19th century sailing ship. Shipping the wine via sailing ship from Languedoc will save an estimated 18,000 tons of carbon.

The bottles will travel by river barge to Bordeaux where they will be transferred to a barque, a traditional French three-mast merchant ship. The process will take about a week longer than a flight, but the winemakers seem keen on the idea. The ship is the 170 foot Belem, the last French merchant sailing ship ever built. It was first used to transport chocolate in South America, and is one of 13 sailing vessels expected to be in operation within five years.

The Belem is operated by eco-friendly shipping company Compagnie de Transport Maritime à la Voile (CTMV). With high interest in green investment in France, there have been many eager to use his company. The ships will transport the wine abroad and return with an equal amount of crushed glass that will be recycled into wine bottles.

Interest from winemakers has been high enough that the company has been able to turn down vineyards that are not suitably eco-friendly. CTMV founder Frederic Albert said: “We chose the best wine in the area, but it must also be made in a sustainable way, using as many natural products as possible.”

Eco-friendly wine shipping is a hot topic amongst environmentalists. There have been several new environmental initiatives involving wine shipments. Last year British supermarket giant Tesco began to ship some of its wines between Liverpool and Manchester by river barge. The company claimed the move cut emissions by 80%.

The 68th annual Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail Miami will be Feb. 12 to 16 at Miamarina.

Strictly
Sail Miami features the newest and best in mono- and multihull
sailboats. The show also features the latest sailing accessories,
sailing gear, charter information and the newest technologies. More
than 200 exhibitors from around the world will be on display at
Miamarina at Bayside.

Miamarina offers comfortable facilities
right on Biscayne Bay and Bayside Marketplace which features more than
100 restaurants, stores and activities for sailors and landlubbers of
all ages. Strictly Sail has something for everyone!

When:
Feb 12 -16, 2009

Where:
Miamarina at Bayside, Miami, FL.

Hours:
10-6 Daily (Miamarina at Bayside)

Admission:
Thursday – Premiere Day $30.00**
Friday - Monday Adult Ticket $16.00**
Any Two Days $30.00**
Junior Boaters: 13-15 years - $6.00
Kids 12 and under FREE (must be accompanied by a paying adult)

**Buy
your tickets online and included in your paid admission is a 1 year
subscription to one of the following magazines: Yachting, Motor
Boating, Salt Water Sportsman, Islands or Cruising World Magazine
($7.00 value)

Strictly Sail Has Something for Everyone
Strictly
Sail shows have become a resource for learning and fun, putting
‘edutainment’ at the forefront of our planning. Every Strictly Sail
Show has added more interactive exhibits providing an opportunity for
new sailors to learn about sailing. For the more experienced sailor, we
offer more activities to improve your skills and become more confident
at the helm.

Many people don’t realize how easy and affordable it
is to get involved in sailing; at Strictly Sail Miami you’ll see
everything from entry-level mono-hull day sailors to mega-cats. We are
very proud to be known as the catamaran capital of the world with the
largest selection of catamarans of any show, but there’s really
something for every taste and every budget. Strictly Sail Miami
features over 100 boats both in the water and on land and ranging in
sizes, for sailors of every ability.

Highlights of the 2009 Strictly Sail Miami include:

Discover Sailing Center-
Visitors
of all ages can experience the thrill of sailing under the supervision
of an experienced sailor at the Discover Sailing Center, located on a
floating dock between Piers A and B at Miamarina. These free half-hour
lessons will introduce non-sailors to the sailing experience, to the
pleasure and joys of the sport while remaining in a controlled
environment.

Sailing Seminar Series-
Hone
your skills and receive tips for enhancing your sailing experience
through a daily series of free seminars led by renowned experts.
Seminars change frequently so be sure to monitor the schedule often.

Kids Aboard Boat Building Program-
Children
ages six and older can participate in free boat building workshops from
noon to 6 p.m., Friday through Monday. Under the supervision of
bilingual, U.S.-certified instructors, children will create two 10-foot
wooden sailing yachts that will be launched at the show on Monday.

South African Pavilion Multi-Hull Lagoon
The
South African Boatbuilders Business Council and the South African
Consulate General return to Miami for the 4th year. With them they
bring world-class sailing companies, including 6 large boats, marine
accessories and tourist information from the Cape.

It’s Time for the Boat! For British Columbia’s boating enthusiasts, the 2009 Vancouver International Boat Show signals the start of the boating season. This “one great show” in two great locations, is the largest boat show in Western Canada with over 300 exhibitors and the latest and greatest in boats, kayaks, canoes and gear for every budget. Whether you are looking for a dinghy, luxury motor yacht, sailboat or the latest GPS technology, the Vancouver International Boat Show has it. See and board the largest selection of sailboats and the Show’s biggest boats at the in-water venue at False Creek Yacht Club.

Come for the boats, stay for the fun! From the Kid’s Zone to fishing seminars, contests and giveaways, there is something for everyone!

The Vancouver International Boat Show runs February 4th to 8th at BC Place Stadium and the False Creek Yacht Club.