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With each passing year, an increasing number of grocery stores and spirits stores include organic wine among their offerings. Organic wine is a wine produced in accordance with organic agriculture regulations. This means that vintners adhere to a pretty precise schedule for all winemaking operations, from grape cultivation to fermentation. The requirements for organic wine differ by country.
Legally, what qualifies as "organic" varies by nation, so if you want to avoid sulfites in your wine, consuming organic wine from the United States is your best chance. Organic wines from Europe or Canada may include sulfites; the decision to include or exclude them is up to the individual producer in those countries. Looking for a wine labelled "Made with Organic Grapes" rather than just organic? This signifies that the grapes were grown organically and were 100 per cent organic when gathered, but that sulfites or non-native yeasts were employed during the vinification process (winemaking).
Key features of organic wine
In terms of alcohol level, flavour, aroma, and mouthfeel, organic wine is similar to conventional wine. However, the lack of added sulfites in organic wine reduces its shelf life. Organic wines, when compared to non-organic wines, may degrade faster. Organic vineyards can grow any variety of grapes, including classics like cabernet sauvignon and pinot noir. Similarly, organic wine production can include a wide range of wines, from flat reds such as merlot to sparkling whites such as chardonnay to a vibrant rosé. Any wine can qualify as long as it is manufactured from organically farmed grapes and is not processed with added sulfites.
Sulfites in wine
You've probably seen the words "contains sulfites" printed on a wine bottle label. The presence of sulphur dioxide (SO2), which acts as a preservative, is referred to as this. Sulfites protect the flavour and texture of the wine in addition to keeping it from deteriorating. Sulfur dioxide is a natural consequence of fermentation, hence all wines contain some sulfites (white wines, especially sweet whites, tend to contain more, whereas dry red wines usually have the lowest levels). Sulfites are commonly added to traditional wines to help them last longer.
Is organic wine better than regular wine?
That is still debatable. Just like with food, the absence of an organic label does not necessarily imply the usage of chemicals and pesticides. Organic certification is extremely expensive, creating a prohibitive barrier to entry for smaller businesses with limited money. Smaller wineries may be unable to obtain official certification, yet they can nevertheless make high-quality wines.
The data underlying standard wine methods' usage of chemicals and health risks are still inconclusive. What we do know is that there have been several cases of chemical farming techniques causing illness or death. Grape vines are more sensitive to pests when harsh chemicals are not used in vineyards.
