As well as being gloriously hot, and a bank holiday weekend, I was back on Sunday Brunch with Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer, recommending wines in celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity.
Biodiversity is exactly what it sounds like: the diversity of life on Earth. From microorganisms in the soil to insects, wildflowers, forests, oceans, fungi, birds, and the grapes growing in vineyards, it is the vast web of living systems that keeps the planet functioning.
Healthy biodiversity supports food production, protects water systems, maintains soil health, stores carbon, and helps ecosystems recover from disease and climate stress. Without it, both nature and the industries deeply tied to the land, including wine, become far more fragile.
Vineyards do not exist in isolation. And, because they are often monocultures by design, it matters that many growers are now moving towards more biodiverse vineyard environments: planting wildflowers between vines, encouraging beneficial insects, reintroducing hedgerows, reducing chemical inputs, and farming in ways that allow the landscape to function more holistically.
It is also a reminder that sustainability is not just about carbon footprints or packaging. It is about protecting complexity, resilience, and the interconnectedness of living systems.
And frankly, the world is richer for it, both environmentally and culturally. A more biodiverse world is one with more flavours, more landscapes, more traditions, and more stories.
Sunday Brunch Drink One: Exhibition Cap Classique
Why I love it:
I love Cap Classique, the name given to sparkling wines from South Africa made using the traditional method, the same process used in Champagne and often with the same grape varieties. I find the warmth and sunshine of South Africa give these wines softer stone fruit flavours and a rounder texture than Champagne, which can sometimes lean a little sharper and more acidic. As a result, it’s a brilliant sparkling wine for big gatherings, especially as the price makes it far easier to pour generously.
Why I chose it:
The producer is undertaking a multi-year, landscape-scale biodiversity restoration project, supported by three years of funding from the Climate and Nature Programme. The initiative focuses on removing invasive species and reintroducing indigenous and endemic vegetation to create habitats for birds, insects, and other wildlife, helping to strengthen biodiversity across the vineyards. It also includes restoring land previously planted with vines and creating wildlife corridors between vineyard blocks.
Available at Wine Society
Sunday Brunch Drink Two: Eminence de Bijou
Why I love it:
Who doesn’t love a rosé? Well, me, when the entire appeal is just being pale pink and the wine ends up tasting of very little, which I’ve started to find more and more with some Provence rosés. This one, from the Languedoc in the south of France, still has that delicate pale colour but with far more bite and personality. There’s lovely red berry fruit, a little citrus lift, and a touch of time in oak that gives it backbone and extra interest.
Why I chose it:
More than 95% of Bijou’s wines are sustainably farmed under HVE3 certification and organic practices. HVE Level 3 (High Environmental Value) is the highest tier of the French Ministry of Agriculture’s environmental certification system. It encourages vineyards to improve water management, increase biodiversity, reduce the environmental impact of phytosanitary products, and carefully manage fertiliser use.
Available at Waitrose
Sunday Brunch Drink Three: Altano Rewilding Edition Douro Red
Why I love it:
Portugal is hugely underrated for wine. While this is fruity and generous, it’s not as heavy as you might expect from such a warm country, or from grape varieties often associated with producing bigger, more powerful wines. Red and black berries, medium-bodied, but still with enough freshness to work in warmer weather.
Why I chose it:
Firstly, I always like supporting wines made from indigenous grape varieties, as preserving native grapes is an important part of maintaining biodiversity and regional wine identity. Secondly, a percentage of profits goes towards Rewilding Portugal, a project focused on restoring ecosystems, protecting wildlife, and reconnecting fragmented habitats in the Douro and Greater Côa Valley.
Available at Tesco
Curious where else a good drink collides with bigger ideas? Find more in our culture section.
Read Aleesha’s previous recs on Sunday Brunch