Quick Guide to Organic Wine

An Introduction to Organic Wine

The specifics can vary, but the general rule of thumb for a wine to be called organic is that it must be made using organic grapes.

This essentially means that the winemaking process must not include:

• chemical pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or fertilizers
• genetically modified grapes

All types of wine can be classified as organic including red wine, white wine, Champagne and fortified. Organic Prosecco is also hugely popular with growing demand here in the UK.

The exact rules and regulations in the production of an organic wine differ from country to country, with the most contentious issue being the use of added sulphites.

Sulphites in Wine

Sulphites are compounds which contain sulphur dioxide. A small amount of sulphites occur in wine naturally as a by-product of the fermentation process, however, most winemakers add sulphites to wine as a preservative. Without it, many winemakers would argue that the finished wine would be unstable and more likely to spoil.

There is a lot of speculation around the effects of drinking wine with added sulphites. Some believe that sulphites are to blame for hangovers whilst others think that only a small number of people with allergies related to sulphites are affected. It is generally agreed that most people should be completely unaffected by sulphites and there are higher levels in other commodities, such as certain dried fruits.

So, does organic wine have sulphites? In short, it probably does.

Is Organic Wine Good for Me?

This is highly debatable, with strong feelings on either side. Here are some of the key talking points.

“Some winemakers feel that the lack of intervention gives less consistency between vintages of a wine which makes it difficult to sell a brand”
But you could argue that as the winemaker has worked closer with nature in cultivating their grapes, and used less chemical interventions, the resulting wine is more likely to reflect the terroir of the land, be more complex and interesting.

“Higher levels of sulphites and additives in normal wine are what cause hangovers, therefore organic wine won’t give you one.”
There is no verified proof that this is true! Studies have indicated that it is the alcohol and histamines in wine that cause hangover symptoms, such as headaches.

“It isn’t always the case that buying organic means supporting smaller wineries.”
You have to bear in mind the different regulations required for gaining the organic certification, but in general it’s pretty difficult to make mass produced organic wine. It’s also worth bearing in mind that many smaller wineries follow strict organic practices without actually going through the process of being officially classified because of the cost and paperwork involved.

There is also an argument that organic wines are healthier for you because the natural antioxidants and nutrients in the soil aren’t harmed by chemicals, so more of them are present in the wine. You could also say that organic farming is better in general for the environment and for all the wildlife in and around the vineyard.

You may find that certain organic wines cost slightly more versus regular bottles. This is because organic wine production can be more labour intensive and with higher risks for growers, an outbreak of disease in the vineyard may not be as preventable using organic methods. That being said, there are plenty of affordable organic wines out there.

Did You Know?

• Organic wine is becoming increasingly available across the UK, with higher quantities being produced in line with growing demand. So expect to see more and more ‘organics’ when you’re shopping for wine
• We are proud to work with wineries like Château Musar, Château du Seuil and Levin Wines who are dedicated to making incredible organic wines