Today, April 22nd, is the day we celebrate our planet Earth. Today we plant a tree, tend a garden, go into the fields and meadows and breath in all that nature has given us. We support environmental protection and continue to explore ways to prohibit global warming. For me, it’s all those things with the addition of supporting organic wine and wine growers around the world!
What does “organic wine” mean? Well, basically it’s wine that was grown in a way that protects the environment, soil, and vines. Two types of organic wine grown in the United States are:
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- Wines made from organically grown grapes
- Wines that are made with no sulfites (sulfur dioxide) added
Wine sold, labeled, or represented as being “Made with Organic Grapes” must meet the following criteria:
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- 100 percent of all grapes (of all varietals) must be certified organic, and be:
- Produced without excluded methods including most conventional pesticides, fertilizers, synthetic ingredients, ionizing radiation, or sewage sludge.
- Produced per the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List).
- Overseen by an organic certifying agent.
- Any remaining agricultural ingredients (e.g., yeast) are not required to be organic, but must be produced without excluded methods as listed above.
- Any non-agricultural ingredients must be specifically allowed on the National List.
- The wine is produced and bottled in a certified-organic facility.
- Sulfur dioxide (sulfites) may be added to yield less than 100 parts per million in finished grape wine but may not be added to wine “made with” other organic fruit (e.g., apples).
- Labels must state the name of the certifying agent (certified organic by *** or similar).
- Label may state, “made with organic grapes.”
- Labels may not include the USDA organic seal.
Source: USDA
Wine sold and labeled “USDA Certified Organic” have no sulfites added and no added preservatives. Any other agricultural ingredients that are added to the wine, including the yeast used for fermentation, also have to be certified organic. Only Organic wines are allowed to show the USDA organic seal and can be labeled as Organic or Organic Wine on the front and back label.
These organic grapes are farmed with no pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers. They are grown in the most non-toxic environmentally protected vineyards.
There are other categories within the realm of wine and wine production that are more environmentally oriented such as biodynamic wine production and natural wine production.
Certified biodynamic wine may also be organic wine. It all depends on the sulfites that are in the wine. Biodynamic wine allows for sulfites to be included and organic does not. So, an organic wine may be biodynamic but a biodynamic wine may not be organic (although many of them are).
Natural wine is one that is fermented with native yeast and may have trace amounts of sulfites. They are unfiltered so they may appear cloudy. They are not aged in oak and receive very minimum intervention by the winemaker. They are typically produced in smaller quantities as their “shelf life” is a short. Natural wine may be organic, if it follows the regulations for certification, or it may be biodynamic if it follows those rules.
Earth Day brings these wines to the forefront of our minds. Try some of these environmentally friendly wineries:
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- Frey Vineyards in Mendocino, California
- Benziger Family Winery in Glen Ellen, California
- Bonterra Organic Vineyards in Hopland, California
- Spottswoode Family Estate in St. Helena, California
Other California Eco-friendly wineries are here
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- Cooper Mountain Vineyards in Willamette Valley, Oregon
- Montinore Estate in Forest Grove, Oregon
Other Oregon Eco-friendly wineries are here
There are many more across the United States and around the world. Give them a try!
They offer you, not only some excellent wines, but a heightened awareness of how we can all contribute in our own way to an earth-friendly environment!
Cheers!