Organic, Biodynamic & Sustainable Wines
What’s in a name?
Interested in learning more about ‘natural wines’? It can be tough to make sense of the various certifications and names. Further, there is alot of controversy within the wine world about what constitutes a ‘natural wine’ and what additives are safe. Here are some basics to help you make smart decisions at your local wine store. Most importantly, remember to buy from producers who you get to know and trust!
Organic
Wine made from organically grown grapes means that the vineyard is organically certified and the grapes have been grown without the use of chemicals. In this case, look for certification from the CCOF.
Organic wines are wines that are produced from organically grown grapes without the addition of any additives, like sulfites, in the winery. Organic wines will have the USDA’s green seal on the label.
Much confusion and debate comes with the term sulfites in wine. Sulfites naturally occur in grapes and small amounts of additional sulfites are added to help stabilize a wine. Fortunately, only a small percentage of people (the FDA estimates put it at less than 1% of the population) have allergies to sulfites. Often, ‘red wine headaches’ are a reaction to histamines, additives or alcohol rather than sulfites in the wine. Unless you are allergic to sulfites, consider wines made from organically grown grapes.
Biodynamic
Biodynamic farming, based on a series of lectures by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner in 1924, views the vineyard as a living and breathing organism. Biodynamic techniques draw on centuries old peasant farming techniques that are rooted in the sky and the soil; planting and harvesting is based on the alignment of the moon and sun while pesticides are eschewed in favor of natural, albeit somewhat odd, preparations. In order to be certified biodynamic, wineries must go through a lengthy certification process with the Demeter organization. Look for the Demeter seal on the label.
Sustainable
Sustainable is a broad term indicating that a winery is using sustainable and earth friendly agriculture methods. While many wineries are jumping on the ‘green’ bandwagon these days, look for wineries that have received certification of some sort. Most reputable is LEED certification, but a number of other third party certification programs, like Napa Green, are emerging as well.
Get to know your winemakers
Keep in mind that many wineries employ organic techniques, but choose not to go through a costly and time consuming certification process. Get to know producers and use your judgment to spend your wine dollar with producers you believe in and whose techniques you know and trust.
