Vineyard Practices
At its most basic level, organic wine is made from grapes that have been grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides.
At The Winery
Winemaking techniques should be organic as well; little or no manipulation of wines by reverse osmosis, excessive filtration, or flavor additives (such as oak chips). Many organic winemakers also prefer wild yeasts for fermentation.
The Role Of Certification
When a label says “organic,” it means the wine has met certain standards that are set by a government agency. Different nations have their own certification criteria, so what’s organic in one country may not be so in another.
Many wineries that are technically organic still choose not to be certified. There are many reasons for this. Some do not want the added costs and bureaucracy of registering. Others may disagree with their government’s standards. It can also be a marketing decision. Whatever the case, they are not allowed to use “organic” on their labels.
Sulfites
The use of added sulfites is debated heavily within the organic winemaking community. Many vintners favor their use, in extremely small quantities, to help stabilize wines, while others frown on them completely.
In the United States, wines labeled “organic” cannot contain added sulfites. Wines that have added sulfites, but are otherwise organic, are labeled “wine made from organic grapes.”
Biodynamics
Biodynamic winemaking follows the teachings of Austrian anthroposophist Rudolph Steiner (1861-1925), and incorporates homeopathic treatments, as well as astronomical and astrological considerations, into the organic process.
Sustainable
Although there are no set standards, wineries that take the ecology of the vineyard into account, and try to minimize chemical treatments and energy use, are called sustainable. Some jokingly refer to themselves as “organic unless something goes wrong.” While we applaud all efforts to be more responsible, the Organic Wine Journal will not be focusing on sustainable wineries.
June 2nd, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Great article. It taught me a lot about what organic wine is. I’ve linked your post on my blog for my readers.
All the best
July 7th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Thanks for the information.
January 25th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Another item to note with organic wine may be as useful to other wine lovers who suffer from migraines as I do. It is the sulfates in the wine that are a common trigger for those who get migraines from wine. I have not once received a migraine from organic wine.
April 13th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Though interest continues to grow in everything organic, there are many misconceptions about organic wine. One of the worst is that they aren’t really very good wines at all, and that their only claim to fame is the fact that they are organic and nothing else. Another seems to imply that organic wines are just a fad that will soon run its course.
Nothing could be further from the truth. There are excellent wines that are produced according to the rules of the National Organic Program. You clearly point out that great care is taken in the growing of the grapes and the making of the wine. And you also call attention to the fact that many winemakers produce organic wines but chose not to be certified because of the cost or other issues. It is time to see organic wine as a product produced with great care, not as just a fad.
September 16th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
You can find a lot of organic wine at Napa Wine Tours in Napa valley
September 19th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Great article!!. one question though, how “organically” is adding oak chips, using staves and using new barrels any different? I would be willing to aurgue that using chips and staves in used barrels or even stainless is much more sustainable than always using new barrels…just a thought
September 21st, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Jay, this is why there are many arguments about organic standards and why some winemakers avoid the labels altogether. Technically, a wine can be organic, even though things can be done in the winery that purists would frown upon. It’s important for everyone to find out which practices are important to them and do a little research behind the wines you are buying. There are consumers who purposely want something with “organic” on the label, and there are those who care about the practices that go beyond that label, and would prefer a bottle of natural wine regardless of whether or not it is certified.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:07 am
There are so many different definitions of ‘organic’. I think consumers are confused because of all the terminology, legal aspects, different certifiers, different labels, etc. Basically it’s a mess, and a headache for us producers.
As a consumer, I think you really have to do a bit of research apart from just reading the label (if you really want to know what wine you’re drinking, that is). Each producer is different and believes in, and does different things and has different priorities, etc.
As a producer, we have to decide whether to certify or not (if we do, with which certifier), decide what info to put on the labels, decide on vineyard and winery paractices, etc. Life is complicated (but fun!)
December 12th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Hi there!
I am totally Organic, and I respect and admire your writings on your blog, I know how much time and effort this must require…
So, I have added your Organic Wine site to our directory here at The Organic Home
Do please check your details and link are good for you, just look in the ‘Blogs’ – ‘Food & Drink’ category, and if you wish us to change or edit your entry do let me know, and I’ll change it immediately for you.
If you would return a link to us here, I would be delighted, (as Google loves shared organic links) and do let me know if you have any news, events or blog posts, and we can add these to our news pages.
Oh, our group of sites had over 8.5 million hits last month, so I hope that our link and future contact can bring you some extra traffic.
Warmest Regards & Organically Yours…
Mark Golding
theorganichome.co.uk
March 10th, 2010 at 4:10 am
Great clarification on the true meaning of “organic wine” as per the government standards. Sulfites, Biodynamics, and sustainability are all important elements in this notion of organic wine. Thanks for the knowledge. I’m really looking forward to see what organic wine’s are released in the upcoming years, I feel like the wine industry is way behind in this idea. Organic food has really gained popularity… just in the last 5 years. Let’s see how the wine industry responds to this demand.
Cheers