What Is Organic Wine? Guide to Organic Wine

Organic wine is wine made according to the standards of organic agriculture. This means that for all winemaking steps, from the growing of the grapes to the fermentation, vintners follow a fairly strict regimen. The specific qualifications for organic wine vary by country.

• United States: In the United States, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets organic certification rules for both organic food and organic beverages. The rules are then enforced by various third-party inspectors. This standard applies to all domestic organic farming. In viticulture, organic wine must come from organically grown grapes that are free of synthetic pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. American organic winemaking also follows strict regulations regarding additives and preservatives like sulfites, as well as the yeast used to ferment the grape juice into wine.
• United Kingdom: In the UK, organic wine certification requires that wines be made with organic grapes. Other details of the fermentation and storage aren’t regulated and are therefore less stringent for wineries.
• Other regions: In other wine-producing regions of the world, including continental Europe, South Africa, Australia, and South American countries, standards fall within a similar range. Most nations take a more relaxed approach to sulfite levels compared to the US. However, many international producers choose to make wine according to the USDA organic standards so that they can have access to the large US consumer market for organic wines.

Organic wine does not differ significantly from conventional wine in terms of its alcohol content, taste, aroma, and mouthfeel. However, the relative lack of added sulfites in organic wine does shorten its shelf life. Compared to non-organic wines, organic wine may experience spoilage in a shorter period of time.

Any type of grape can be grown in organic vineyards, including mainstays like cabernet sauvignon and pinot noir. Likewise, organic wine production can involve any variety of wines from flat reds like a merlot to sparkling whites like chardonnay to a bright rosé. Any wine can qualify so long as it is made with organically grown grapes and processed without the use of added sulfites.

You’ve probably seen the words “contains sulfites” printed on the label of a wine bottle. This refers to the presence of sulfur dioxide (SO2), which functions as a preservative. In addition to keeping the wine from spoiling, sulfites also preserve the flavor and texture of the wine.

Sulfur dioxide is a natural byproduct of the fermentation process, so all wines contain some amount of sulfites (white wines, especially sweet whites, tend to contain more, whereas dry red wines usually have the lowest levels). However, conventional wines usually contain added sulfites to further preserve them. Organic wines can contain no more than twenty parts per million (ppm); conventional wines can contain up to 350 ppm. The average among all wines is around 125 ppm.

Biodynamic wine, organic wine, and natural wine are two different categories of wine, although they do overlap considerably.

• Natural wine: Also known as raw or low-intervention wine, natural wine comprises a broad category of wines that have minimal intervention in the winemaking process. Grapes for natural wines are grown according to organic or even biodynamic requirements, with no artificial pesticides or herbicides. Natural wines rely on naturally-occurring yeast for fermentation, and winemakers use little to no additives or preservatives, such as sulfites, to the fermenting grape juice before bottling and aging. Additionally, winemakers do not filter or fine natural wines, unlike conventional wines.
• Organic wine: This type of wine is subject to the official USDA-certified organic farming regulation, which determines various elements of the growing, fermentation, bottling, and storage processes. The grapes must be grown organically, using native yeasts, with no GMOs and no sulfites other than those that occur naturally.
• Biodynamic wine: Many biodynamic farming practices are compatible with those of organic agriculture, including a restriction of synthetic fertilizers and pest control practices. But biodynamic grape growing goes even further, emphasizing biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem. Biodynamic farmers use a very specific set of specially-prepared fertilizers, and their farming practices are aligned with the astrological calendar.

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