However with the term “organic wines”, also come many misunderstandings, misconceptions and beliefs that are simply not true. Here is what you should know:
1.- Organic means no sulphites. False! Wineries are allowed to use chemicals in organic wines when there is no natural alternative, and there is not a real natural alternative to sulphites, so unless the bottle states otherwise, organic wines will still have sulphites (drop me a line if you are worried about sulphites). Please note that this is different in the US where organic usually mean not added sulphites.
Some wine makers, mostly in France have experimented used lemon juice to substitute sulphites as a conservation agent, but so far results have been far from good.
2.- Organic means no chemicals. Partly False. As with sulphites, chemicals are allowed in wine production if there is no natural alternative. However, other than sulphites, hardly no other chemicals are needed for wine making. This is particular helpful in order to avoid rogue wineries adding chemicals to get better aromas and flavours, however there is little regulation in countries like Chile.
3.- Organic wines are vegan. False. Many organic wines are made using animal products like eggs or animal protein, so look for vegan wines to make sure. You can read more about vegan wines here.
4.- Organic wines are healthier. True. As most chemicals are banned from the soil and wine making process, organic wines are more natural, have way less chemicals than non organic wines, and are much better for you, in moderation.
5.- Organic wines are pesticide free. Mostly true. With almost no exception, chemical pesticides and herbicides are not allowed in producing organic grapes, natural pest killers must be used, and these practices are closely monitored by the organisations awarding the organic seal.
Another advantage is that under organic grape growing you can not us a kill-them-all solution to kill all bests and illnesses, but first the pest has to be identified, and that pest alone must be treated.
6.- Organic wines taste better/worse than non organic wines. False. The taste in wine comes from three factors: the quality and type of grapes; the wine making process, and the ageing. Other than those wineries using chemicals to alter smell and taste, organic wines, if well made, should taste about the same. At the beginning of organic wine making this was not the case, but a lot has changed since!
7.- Biodynamic is the same as organic. False. Although most biodynamic wines follow organic practises, it is not the same. Watch this space for an article on biodynamic wines coming soon.
Organic wine is made using only organically certified grapes, grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and chemical fertilisers. Since the 2012 vintage, new winemaking regulations mean the whole process is certified from harvest to bottle and the term ‘Organic Wine’ can be displayed on bottles.
Why drink organic wines?
Benefits can be numerous! Taste for a start, organic grapes are healthy and balanced and are of course the raw ingredient for any great wine. Health benefits include ingesting less man made toxins, especially pesticide residues and less sulphur dioxide too which is the ‘wine preservative’.
By drinking ‘organic’ you are also helping support a cleaner environment and protect soils and water.
It also means less chemical in the environment, usually going to underground water, and a reduction in the many fatalities that many growers suffer due to pesticide poisoning.
