The project was born for the European Week for Waste Reduction (SERR), adhering to the theme selected for 2020: INVISIBLE WASTE. In this context, we are talking about “Invisible Waste” in a dual aspect: on the one hand, the vision promoted by the European initiative, which describes invisible waste as the set of all waste produced unknowingly by the consumer, from packaging to food waste, and from a second point of view concerning the production process. Processing waste is in fact a considerable component of waste production within the consumer ecosystem, but it never actually meets the consumer: for this reason, it is called “invisible waste”. The project “Il Senso della Vite” aims to tell the reality of this theme within a specific production area and more precisely the wine sector.

2. From grapes to wine… And then?

Wine is a product par excellence of the Italian territory. Our analysis of production waste is concentrated on this production. In particular, in addition to verifying, in synergy with local companies, what is the nature of these wastes and what are the production processes from which they derive, the project wants to offer a vision compatible with respect for the environment. The question is whether it is possible to turn this waste into raw materials, and how this is possible, creating new production and commercial opportunities and at the same time minimising the environmental impact that these resources would have while remaining unused.

3. The Focus

The project is divided into 3 moments of comparison, in local cellars, during which the interventions of producers, local administrators and technicians in the sector will alternate. It will also be an opportunity to promote the excellence of our territory.

4. The Topics

The question of the redevelopment of waste in the wine industry will be developed through three thematic areas:

• Invisible waste: enhancing wine waste, to give new value to waste produced during wine processing. Analysis of pomace, lees and the role of water within production.
• Pomace, Medicine and Cosmetics: use Pomace as a product for personal care and for the protection of health in the production of nutraceutical products, drugs, and cosmetics. The world of Vinotherapy as an entrepreneurial opportunity.
• Lees: The biofuels industry, the use of lees to shape circular economy paths in relation to the production of alternative fuels.

5. Method

Complying with current regulations for the containment of the risks of Covid-19 contagion, all meetings will be organized in compliance with current provisions. In addition, to allow more people to participate in the project in total safety, it will be possible to broadcast the speakers’ speeches online through a live streaming service and local televisions.