Organic wine

Not to be confused with natural wine or biodynamic wine.
Organic wine

Organic wine is wine made from grapes grown in accordance with the principles of organic farming, which exclude the use of artificial chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides.[1] The legal definition of organic wine varies from country to country, with the European Union setting harmonised rules for all its member countries.[2]

Background

Data indicates the consumption of organic wine grew at a rate of 3.7% over the year ending September 19, 2009,[3] exceeding growth (of 2%)[4] in the consumption of non-organic wine during a similar period. According to industry data, there are approximately 1,500–2,000 organic wine producers globally,[5] including negociant labels, with more than 885 organic domains in France alone.[6]

Production and preservatives

For wine produced in the European Union, the addition of sulfites used as preservatives is permitted in organic wine, but at lower maximum levels than in conventional wine production.[7] In other countries, the preservative is not permited at all in organic wine. In the United States, wines certified "organic" under the National Organic Program cannot contain added sulfites, but wines labelled as "wine made from organic grapes" can.[8]

A 2017 study conducted by the UMR Moisa (Supagro Montpellier/Inra),[9] found that an organic wine farm creates 1.5 times more jobs than a non-organic wine farm. The study reported that 34.6% of organic farms employ one or more permanent employees, compared to 21.6% in the case of non-certified farms. Similarly, 71.49% of employees are full-time, compared to 66.83% on non-organic farms.[10]

Organic certification

Organic certification of wine presents complexity due to different nations have different certification criteria.[11] In the United Kingdom, organic wine is defined as wine made from organic grapes.[12][13]

In the United States, regulations govern the organic winemaking process at all stages of production, including those related to harvesting, the types of yeast that can be used, as well as storage conditions. The National Organic Program, run by the United States Department of Agriculture, sets standards for certification of organic foods, including organic wines.[14] These regulations apply to both imported and domestic wines that have acquired USDA certification. The total sulfite level must be less than 20 parts per million to receive organic certification.[15]

A key distinction in defining organic wine relates to the use or non-use of preservatives, particularly sulfur (sulfur dioxide and sulfites), during the winemaking process.[16] In the US, no additional sulfites may be added to any organic product, including wine. In the European Union, sulfites are permited in organic wine.[17] Most other countries do not have their own standards. Another difference is that the label "Made with Organic Grapes" can be used in the US if the grapes used to make the wine are certified "organic", even if the wine has added sulfites (up to 100 parts per million) or uses non-native yeasts.[18] Europe does not have a comparable label.

Issues related to labor rights in certifications have also been documented.[19]

Natural wine

Main article: Natural wine

Natural winemaking [20]is a style characterized by using native yeasts in the fermentation process and minimal or no sulfur dioxide in the winemaking process.[21] It may also involve wines that are unfined and unfiltered as well. [22] Natural winemaking is not governed by laws in the U.S. and has no inspection or verification process unless it is a biodynamic wine.

Sustainable wines

Some farmers implement sustainable farming practices. [23] Examples include the use of composting and the cultivation of plants that attract insects that may be beneficial for the vines.[24] Sustainable winemaking systems outlined in the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices Workbook published by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA).[25]

Environmental issues addressed by sustainable wine range from wildlife habitat and pest management, to soil health. Renewable energy and improvements in infrastructure such as capturing and recycling carbon dioxide from alcoholic fermentation also play a role.[26]

See also

References

  1. ^ Alonso González, Pablo; Parga-Dans, Eva (2020). "Natural wine: do consumers know what it is, and how natural it really is?". Journal of Cleaner Production. 251 119635. Bibcode:2020JCPro.25119635A. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119635. hdl:10261/208946.
  2. ^ "A Useful Guide to Organic Wine". Useful Wine Guides.
  3. ^ The Nielsen Company
  4. ^ Mintel Market Research
  5. ^ "Organic Wine". organicwinefind.com.
  6. ^ "Everything about french organic wine [domains : 902]". bien-boire.info.
  7. ^ Wine And Water Watch: "America vs. Europe: The Organic Divide"
  8. ^ Organic Wine Journal: Wine Journal
  9. ^ "Le vin bio est bon pour l'emploi, selon une étude présentée au salon du bio à Marseille". Le Figaro - Le Figaro Vin (in French). Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  10. ^ "Filière vins bio en 2017 - infographie | Vinatis". www.vinatis.com (in French). Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  11. ^ "Organic Wine Journal".
  12. ^ Dimitri, Safonov. "What are organic wines? A guide on organic wine its benefits". Organic Wine Club. Archived from the original on March 29, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  13. ^ "Soil Association". www.soilassociation.org. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  14. ^ "Guidelines For Labeling Wine With Organic References". June 2009. Archived from the original on August 28, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2009.
  15. ^ "USDA" (PDF). USDA. September 30, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 21, 2004.
  16. ^ Alonso González, Pablo; Parga Dans, Eva; Acosta Dacal, Andrea Carolina; Zumbado Peña, Manuel; Pérez Luzardo, Octavio (September 2022). "Differences in the levels of sulphites and pesticide residues in soils and wines and under organic and conventional production methods". Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. 112 104714. doi:10.1016/j.jfca.2022.104714.
  17. ^ "EU Rules on Organic Wine". Europa.eu.
  18. ^ "Organic 101: Organic Wine". USDA.
  19. ^ Mahr, Krista (October 31, 2016). "A documentary raises questions about 'slavery' in South Africa's vineyards". Washington Post.
  20. ^ Alonso Gonzalez, Pablo (May 22, 2025). "Wine is alive: the vitalist and theological roots of natural wine in 19th and 20th century Spain". Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. 12 (1): 701. doi:10.1057/s41599-025-05036-y. ISSN 2662-9992.
  21. ^ Alonso González, Pablo; Parga Dans, Eva (June 28, 2025). Uncorked: Negotiating Science and Belief in the Natural Wine Movement. Springer Nature.
  22. ^ Alonso González, Pablo; Parga Dans, Eva; Fuentes Fernández, Rosana (April 26, 2022). "Certification of Natural Wine: Policy Controversies and Future Prospects". Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 6 875427. Bibcode:2022FrSFS...675427A. doi:10.3389/fsufs.2022.875427.
  23. ^ Alonso González, Pablo; Parga-Dans, Eva (August 23, 2023). "The natural wine phenomenon and the promise of sustainability: Institutionalization or radicalization?". Culture, Agriculture, Food and Environment. 45 (2): 45–54. doi:10.1111/cuag.12310.
  24. ^ "Sustainable, Biodynamic, Organic, Natural Sparkling Wines Explained | Glass Of Bubbly". glassofbubbly.com. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  25. ^ Gary Zucca; David E Smith; Darryl J Mitry (June 2009). "Sustainable Viticulture and Winery Practices in California: What Is It, and Do Customers Care?". International Journal of Wine Research. 2009 (1): 189–194. doi:10.2147/IJWR.S5788.
  26. ^ Goode, Jamie (2011). Authentic wine : toward natural and sustainable winemaking. Sam Harrop. Berkeley. ISBN 978-0-520-26563-9. OCLC 697974201.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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