Difference Between
Organic & Non-Organic Wine
Organic wine is made from grapes that are grown naturally without the use of pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, and artificial chemical fertilizers. Organic wine grapes are considered much healthier.
They have fresher skins and higher concentrations of antioxidants and anthocyanins, including cardio-friendly resveratrol and polyphenols. Moreover, organic wines taste far better compared to conventional wines with detectable pesticides.
What is organic wine? In short, the elemental definition of organic wine is a wine that is made from naturally farmed grapes. This constitutes ‘organic farming’ methods that vary from one country to another. But generally speaking excludes the use of artificial fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides.
Fermentation of the grapes into wine is the second phase of winemaking. And this is where it gets more complicated as there are numerous inputs that are added during the fermentation process. These ingredients, therefore, must be specifically allowed and cannot exceed 5% of the total product for organic certification.
Fermentation Process of Organic Wine
In the United States specifically, sulfites cannot be added to the wine during the fermentation process in order to receive organic certification. However, wine naturally produces some sulfites, but they are not allowed to be added. And then the level of sulfites in Europe must not be greater than 100 mg per liter for red wine to be termed ‘Organic Wine’.
Organic winemaking also prohibits any use of any Genetically Modified Organisms or non-permitted additives apart from the reduction of sulfites in the bottle. The lack of coloring agents in organic wine is the biggest exclusion from traditional methods of winemaking. Flavoring agents like caramel and malic acid and concentrated wine additives like Mega Purple are also prohibited in the course of organic winemaking.
However, wines made from organic grapes can still carry the label ‘Made with Organically Grown Grapes’ even if they fail to receive organic certification. Nonetheless, it is still a good practice to farm organically. But then, make sure to check your labels if you are looking for the real thing.
Is Organic Wine a Healthier Option?
So, as we understand, organic farming plus organic winemaking is equal to organic wine. But the moot question is why should we care? And why are more and more people nowadays opting to consume organic wine?
Which wine is more real and more natural? Unarguably it is the lack of manipulation in both stages, the field and cellar, that leads to a bottle of more real and natural wine. Organic wine as such is customarily the best expression. Of the grape and also the region; The land and the environment where the grapes for the wine have been grown.
The saying goes that you are what you eat and drink. Nevertheless, there definitely is the satisfaction that comes with knowing that no additives or pesticides have been utilized in the making of your wine. The short answer to all doubts is that yes, organic wines are far healthier when compared to non-organic wines.
Organic wine grapes in general are much healthier. They also have heartier skins and higher concentrations of good anthocyanins, antioxidants, and polyphenols. And cardio-friendly resveratrol as well. Moreover, organic wines are free of residual traces of additives like chemically-bashed herbicides and pesticides.
It is also a fact that certified organic wines have less sugar on average. And that they do not contain any potentially harmful cellar additives including caramel coloring or artificial flavoring agents. Alongside these additives, higher sugar levels in wine are what typically lead to headaches after a session. Going organic, therefore may also help prevent headaches and hangovers.
Benefits of Organic Wine
Here are more reasons if you are still unconvinced that organic wine is better for you.
Three good reasons why organic wines are better.
- Organic wines are produced without the addition of any chemicals at any stage of production. They contain no artificial or synthetic chemicals, and no herbicides or pesticides. And the wine growers instead work with nature to uplift the biodiversity of the vineyard.
- Moreover, organic wines contain just about half the amount of sulfur dioxide that goes into the making of standard wines. Sulfur dioxide basically is a preservative that is commonly added to wine. It prevents the formation of bacteria taking up residence in the wine. This bacterium is also one of the key culprits in giving you a stinking hangover.
- Lastly, organic wines simply taste better like organic fruit, meat, and vegetables. There is no denying the fact that flavors in organic wines are stronger. They are far more complex and a lot purer than any of the other adulterated wines you can purchase in the market.
And just go ahead if you want to forgo your morning glass of orange juice in favor of a second glass of organic wine at the end of the day. Simply because organic wine contains the vitamin C that you need. More reasons to celebrate well-being.
Top Organic Wine Brands
You guessed it right, organic wines are made from organic grapes to be certified Organic. These grapes need to be sourced from vineyards that exclude the use of all varieties of synthetic chemicals. Farmers applying for organic certification have to keep detailed records of production practices.
And they are subject to site visits by inspectors from the certifying agency as well. The requirements to be certified ‘ORGANIC’ vary from one country to another. Since the farmland has to be free of prohibited chemicals for three years before it can be qualified as ORGANIC.
This more or less means that the neighboring farms also have to be organic. Simply because it is easy for chemicals to blow over the land in the breeze. Or detrimentally affect the groundwater from a neighboring farm.
Our Picks for the Best Organic Red, Sparkling & White Wines.
- Bonterra Organic Rose:
Stock up on this juicy Organic Rosé from Bonterra in Mendocino, CA. It has all that you wanted from a delicate summer wine with flavors of berry, peach, and watermelon. It is crisp with a refreshing finish. And is also available in cans so that you can carry them along all your outdoor summer adventures. So, relish this organic wine from camping to picnics, and from beach days to poolside lounging.
- Cleto Chiarli Organic Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro:
The Lambrusco organic wine is fun! It is a fizzy wine of the moment. Coming from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, the Cleto Chiarli Organic Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro is a gentle sparkling red wine that is meant to be served chilled.
And this wine ideally pairs well with charcuterie boards and cheese. The deep berry notes will refreshingly complement both nutty cheeses and savory meats. While the refreshing bubbles will cleanse your palate through all the diverse flavors packed in this integral wine.
- Cono Sur Organic Pinot Noir:
You can buy the Cono Sur Organic Pinot Noir by the case if you are looking for a house wine to enjoy on all occasions. It is just what you need to cheer up the atmosphere. And with a medium body alongside bright cherry and raspberry flavors, this astonishingly versatile wine can complement an array of dishes.
Or perhaps just sip it through the evening and enjoy good conversation with family and friends. And the price is another aspect to cheer upon. This organic wine is from Chile and right now is a great source of value in the wine world.
- Cune Rioja Organic:
Rioja as such is a region in North Central Spain. This is where a variety of red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines are made. Cune is one of the best-known wine producers in the region. They are a reputed brand that is widely recognized by wine lovers across the world. But you need not be a connoisseur to enjoy the Cune Rioja Organic wine.
It is full of bright red cherry and spice notes along with a hint of earthiness. This organic wine is medium-bodied and food-friendly as well. It is definitely a pleasure at the party. And to top it all, Rioja wines generally taste much more than they take. They are inexpensive and a perfect gift without breaking the bank.
- Frog’s Leap Sauvignon Blanc:
Ask any reckoned sommelier. This is one of the most-requested wines from customers. It is a ‘dry white’ organic wine. This Sauvignon Blanc organic wine means a bright, crisp, and fresh wine. It is light and food-friendly as well.
Based out of Napa, California, the Frog’s Leap has been farming organically since 1988. And this wine has all the classic markers of a great Sauvignon Blanc. It is citrusy with grapefruit aromas. And mouthwatering with a clean finish. This is a perfect wine for you if you are into the Coastal Grandmother trend,
- Lanson Le Green Label Organic Champagne:
You cannot do any better than Champagne for celebrations! The Le Green Label Organic is a new release from the legendary Champagne Lanson which was founded in 1760. The bottling of this organic wine is rich and clean.
It comes with lovely notes of peach and lemon. Along with a touch of spicy complexity. This is a splendid collection of organic wine for all memorable occasions.
- Santa Julia Organic Malbec:
This is a fantastic organic wine that is available at an affordable price. Santa Julia in Mendoza, Argentina, not only farms organically, but engages in other sustainable practices as well. Be it bottling in lightweight glasses, composting production, or utilizing solar power in the winery industry. The Santa Julia Organic Malbec is an intense red wine with jammy ripe plum along with fine notes of tannin, and a long finish.
- Sybille Kuntz Estate Mosel Organic Orange Riesling Trocken:
Have you ever felt anxious about bringing a bottle of wine to dinner with cool friends? It is time you considered the Mosel Organic Orange Riesling Trocken wine. It is an orange wine, that is made from white grapes fermented with their seeds, skins, and stems.
This creates an amber color and more funky flavors along with assertive textures. Sybille Kuntz is basically a woman winemaker from Germany with a compelling story. And you better share this bit of information with your dining companions.
- Yalumba Organic Viognier:
It is not all that easy to pair spicy food with wine. It is a common understanding that the alcohol in wine tends to fan the flames of spicy hot chiles. The blanket rule to overcome this fact is to choose a wine with a mild hint of sweetness.
This will help tame the heat on your palate. With apricot, honeysuckle, lemon, and peach flavors, the Yalumba Organic Viognier from Australian winemaker Louisa Rose is full and luscious. It is a perfect choice to be paired with spicy noodle dishes.
What is Sustainable Wine?
Sustainable wine is a wine that has been produced carefully, cost-effectively, and ecologically. It is not a wine that has been made in a special way. But merely a wine that has been produced in a responsible way. This can be a wine that is made conventionally, biodynamically, naturally, or organically.
All that it means is that all steps that went into growing the grapes and throughout the production process during turning them into wine, had little or no impact on the environment for the wine to be classified as sustainable.
Basic Differences Between Organic & Non-Organic Wine
The basic difference between organic and inorganic wine is that all organic produce needs to have been grown on land that has no prohibited substances like synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that were applied for three years before the harvesting season. It starts from the vineyard itself that no fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, and other synthetic products have been used in the entire process during production.
What Are Non-Organic Wines?
Wines that have used various types of chemicals like herbicides and fungicides in the vineyards; and other additives like Mega Purple or Sulfur in the process of making wine are commonly termed non-organic wines. You will find that a variety of bizarre chemicals have been used in the vineyard during the production of grapes utilized in the making of non-organic wines.
