Blockchain-enabled sustainability and circular economy practices in wine supply chains: a systematic review of digital innovations for traditional fermented beverages

Introduction Wine, as one of the world’s most culturally significant traditional fermented beverages, faces increasing pressure to improve sustainability, ensure authenticity, and strengthen circular economy practices across its supply chains. Circular economy (CE) is examined through the ReSOLVE framework, offering a structured lens for blockchain‑enabled circularity. Methods This study systematically reviews how Blockchain Technology (BCT) supports sustainable production, traceability, and value creation in wine supply chains. The review applies the ReSOLVE framework to assess circular economy dimensions and evaluates how integrating blockchain with complementary technologies such as big data analytics and IoT can enable climate‑smart operations, improve forecasting, and strengthen resource management. Results The review finds that blockchain enhances transparency, reduces information asymmetry, and supports more efficient resource use—key requirements for sustainable fermented beverage production. Integrating blockchain with big data analytics and IoT can further enable climate‑smart operations, improve forecasting, and strengthen resource management, thereby reducing waste and environmental impacts. BCT also reinforces the integrity of geographical indications—PDO and PGI—and can support the economic sustainability of producing regions, including small and medium‑sized wineries. Discussion Despite these benefits, the literature remains limited in platform diversity, long‑term cost analysis, and attention to regulatory and technical barriers. To support broader adoption, policymakers should promote targeted incentives, capacity‑building programmes, and standards for integrating blockchain with enterprise systems, alongside clearer data governance frameworks. Overall, this review provides a foundation for advancing more sustainable, transparent, and circular wine supply chains.