This research examines the connection between Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) and Sustainable Performance (SP) in Spanish wineries, emphasizing the mediating roles of Employee Wellbeing (EW) and Work Engagement (WE). This study is pertinent, given the growing focus on sustainability as a core business strategy. To refine the precision of the examined cause-effect relationships, variables such as the age and size of the winery and membership in a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) are incorporated as controls. Utilizing a conceptual model informed by prior studies, this study employs structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze data from 196 wineries collected from September 2022 to January 2023. The findings highlight a positive and significant link between GHRM practices and the SP of these wineries, with EW and WE serving as partial mediators. The significance of this study lies in its contribution to the understanding of GHRM’s benefits in enhancing SP, particularly in the Spanish wine industry, a context not extensively explored in previous research. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the mediating effects of EW and WE on the GHRM-SP relationship in this sector, marking a notable advancement in this field.
Management practices, and not surrounding habitats, drive bird and arthropod biodiversity within vineyards
This post is about a paper that concluded that individual management practices are more influential on vineyard biodiversity than the habitat context, overall management regime, or certification status. This study recommends that sustainability accreditation schemes focus on reducing the ecotoxicity of agrochemicals used and encourage the promotion of higher ground vegetation cover by reducing herbicide use to benefit vineyard biodiversity.
Underrated aspects of a true Mediterranean diet: understanding traditional features for worldwide application of a “Planeterranean” diet
This study explored the multifaceted nature of the Mediterranean diet, beyond its commonly recognized health benefits. It argues that traditional assessment methods focusing on specific food items and dietary scores fail to capture the diet’s cultural, environmental, and lifestyle dimensions. The paper emphasizes the holistic essence of diet, deeply embedded in the history and traditions of the Mediterranean people, which includes a diverse array of foods, social dining practices, and sustainable local agricultural methods. This paper suggests that future research should integrate these underrated aspects, considering the diet’s broader cultural and lifestyle context, to truly understand its impact on health and well-being. This comprehensive approach would allow for the application of a ” planeterranean ” diet globally, promoting not only nutritional health but also environmental and social well-being.
Effects of post-fermentation addition of green tea extract for sulfur dioxide replacement on Sauvignon Blanc wine phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity, colour, and mouthfeel attributes
This study emphasises the potential of green tea extract as a prospective preservative in winemaking, which is capable of improving the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of wine while preserving its sensory characteristics. However, additional research is necessary to thoroughly understand the long-term consequences of using green tea extracts in winemaking, including their impact on wine aroma, flavour, and aging characteristics.
Attitudes towards natural wines among Spanish winemakers: Relationship with environmental awareness
this research pioneers in revealing the complex interplay of ecological awareness, sensory perceptions, and market understanding in shaping Spanish winemakers’ attitudes towards NWs. It underscores the need for further research to bridge the gap in consumer and producer perceptions and to address the current asymmetry of information in the wine market. The study’s limitations include its reliance on convenience sampling, suggesting a need for more comprehensive future research designs.
Application of white wine lees for promoting lactic acid bacteria growth and malolactic fermentation in wine
This study explored the potential of utilising white wine lees, a by-product of winemaking, in the industrial application of wine production. By examining the growth of wine lactic acid bacteria and their impact on the malolactic fermentation process, this study highlights the potential of using wine lees as a beneficial agent for MLF in red wines. The study also confirmed that the inclusion of white wine lees does not negatively impact the quality of wine and does not encourage the growth of spoilage microorganisms. Overall, this study proposes a sustainable recycling strategy for wine by-products in winemaking.
Impact on wine sales of removing the largest serving size by the glass
Alcohol consumption is a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality, necessitating public health interventions. This study, approved by the University of Cambridge, explored the impact of reducing wine serving sizes in licensed premises in England. Employing an A-B-A treatment reversal design, the study involved 21 establishments over twelve weeks, alternating between standard and reduced wine serving sizes. The intervention involved removing the largest serving size of wine glasses, and its effects were measured in terms of wine and beverage sales and total revenue. The findings indicated a 7.6% reduction in wine sales volume without affecting the sales of other beverages or overall revenue, suggesting that smaller serving sizes may effectively reduce alcohol consumption. This approach did not lead to an increase in consumption of other alcoholic beverages or changes in revenue, indicating its potential as a public health strategy. The study’s limitations include its focus on wine sales and its limited generalizability due to the specific context and premises involved. Nonetheless, these findings suggest that reducing serving sizes in alcohol sales could be a promising intervention for public health, meriting further research and consideration in policy-making.
Winemaking: “With One Stone, Two Birds”? A Holistic Review of the Bio-Functional Compounds, Applications and Health Benefits of Wine and Wineries’ By-Products
The paper titled “Winemaking: ‘With One Stone Two Birds’? A Holistic Review of the Bio-Functional Compounds, Applications and Health Benefits of Wine and Wineries’ By-Products” provides a comprehensive review of the health benefits and applications of bio-functional compounds found in wine and by-products of wineries. It explores the nutritional value, bio-functional components, and health-promoting properties of these compounds, particularly their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic effects. The paper also discusses the beneficial effects of moderate wine consumption as part of a balanced diet and examines the potential of wineries’ by-products in developing functional foods, supplements, and nutraceuticals. Limitations and future perspectives of these bioactive compounds are also addressed.
Vascular and Platelet Effects of Tomato Soffritto Intake in Overweight and Obese Subjects
The paper titled ‘Vascular and Platelet Effects of Tomato Soffritto Intake in Overweight and Obese Subjects’ focuses on the health benefits of tomatoes, specifically in the form of soffritto, a common ingredient in the Mediterranean diet. The study aims to evaluate the effects of soffritto on platelet activity, vascular endothelial function, weight, lipid profile, and blood parameters in overweight and obese individuals. Overall, the study provides insights into the specific health benefits of tomato soffritto intake in overweight and obese subjects, particularly in reducing platelet aggregation, a key factor in cardiovascular disease prevention.
Application of White-Wine-Pomace-Derived Ingredients in Extending Storage Stability of Fresh Pork Burgers
This study investigated the use of white wine pomace (a byproduct of wine production) as a preservative in pork burgers. It assesses the impact of this ingredient on various quality aspects of meat, including microbial growth, color stability, oxidation, and overall sensory attributes, over a period of refrigerated storage. This study aimed to offer an eco-friendly alternative to conventional preservatives such as sulfites, assessing whether wine pomace can effectively extend the shelf life and maintain the quality of pork burgers. These results indicate that while wine pomace shows some antioxidant properties, its effectiveness in inhibiting microbial growth and preserving the color of pork burgers is limited compared to traditional sulfite preservatives.