Organic Wine, Biodynamic Wine, Natural Wine - What's the Difference?
We talk about organic wine a lot, but what does that mean exactly? Organic farming, biodynamic farming, natural wine, sulphur-free, Vinatis will enlighten you on the subject!
Organic wine selection
What is an Organic Wine?
It is an organically produced wine. Strictly speaking, there is no such thing as an organic wine, it is the grapes that are organic.
The AB logo on the label assures you that the winegrowers have followed strict specifications regarding the cultivation of the grapes, on healthy soil and limited chemical treatment. But this does not exclude mechanical grape harvests or the addition of industrial yeast to the wine.
Our Eurofeuille AB label selection
What is a Biodynamically Produced Wine?
Biodynamic agriculture (or biodynamics) is based on a philosophy of cultivation that listens to nature. The cultivation of the land is considered as a whole, as a living organism in its own right.
In viticulture, everything depends on the balance of the vine with its environment, including the fauna (birds, rodents, insects, etc).
This movement, which appeared in 1924 and was initiated by Rudolf Steiner, has often been decried as a pseudo-science, or even an esoteric occult practice, even today, surprisingly. Applied to viticulture, the influence of the stars and planets, the cosmic rhythm, and the preparation of herbal teas are used in cultivation methods and supplant the use of chemical treatments for the vine. The use of draught horses or sheep to weed is also favoured over mechanisation. Seen like this, it is true that the care of the earth and the plants here can resemble a ritual, but it is precisely in harmony with this nature that the winegrower takes the best of what the Earth gives us.
Nowadays, we cannot deny the influence of lunar rhythms on the life of plants, nor the benefits of healthy agriculture in the face of farming methods whose consequences are irreparable for the ecology. The word "farming" is not appropriate in biodynamic viticulture. With the technical and scientific knowledge available in our time, humans are learning to listen to nature again. We know that the balance of an ecosystem depends on its biodiversity. As the seasons change, as the days pass, and even from hour to hour: the evolution of the environment is subtle and the balance of living things to be preserved is dynamic.
Biodynamic viticulture consists of rehabilitating organic life in the environment where the vine lives, by intensifying the exchanges between the vine and its environment in order to obtain better grapes: contribution of natural fertilizers, respect for the rhythm of the seasons, lunar calendar, herbal tea, etc. The use of chemical products would disturb this fragile balance. Biodynamic viticulture therefore allows the plants' resistance to be reinforced in order to improve the expression of the terroir in the wine.
More and more winemakers have switched to biodynamic farming, without chemical fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides, to adopt natural prevention methods while seeking to reactivate the natural microbial life of the soil. Biodynamics is often a guarantee of quality and customisation of the wine.
What is a Natural Wine?
A natural wine (also called "nature wine" or "wine without added sulphites") goes beyond organic and biodynamic viticulture: viticulture, but also vinification, are carried out without the use of chemicals.
Natural wines are therefore often biodynamic and vinified as naturally as possible. They respond to an approach of less intervention during the vinification process without adding inputs, notably sulphur already present naturally in the wine.
No label recognises them. Sometimes the winemaker does not even claim it, quite simply: some winemakers believe that they simply make wine, nothing more. However, it is important to know that natural wines, with no added sulphites, are not wines for long ageing.
What are sulphites?
Sulphites are sulphur dioxide: it occurs naturally in wine during fermentation and serves as a preservative. Winegrowers use sulphur dioxide at various stages of the wine-making process to stabilise the wine and protect its aromas by preventing it from turning sour and from being spoilt by oxygen. Without the presence of sulphites, the wine would turn sour!
All wines have sulphites present for this reason, natural wine doesn't have any added sulphites.
Sulphur dioxide has been used in wine since Roman times and very few producers refrain from using it.
Wines without added sulhpites selection
And Vegan Wine? What's That?
And yes, vegan wine in all this? It's being talked about more and more too. A vegan wine does not require strict organic cultivation of the vine, but the requirements of not using animals in the production process can be similar, especially to natural wine. It is important to know that during certain stages of the winemaking process, the winemaker may use stabilisers of animal origin. The fining stage may require coagulant additives of animal origin, such as:
- Albumin (protein contained in egg white) - used to soften tannic red wines
- Casein (cow's milk protein) - used for white wine
- Gelatine derived from animal collagen (skin, crushed bones, organs, intestines from cattle, pig, chicken or horse) - used mainly for red wines
- Isinglass (fish glue, a substance derived from the skin and cartilage of fish) - used for both white and red wines
The first two adjuvants listed are not suitable for vegan dietary restrictions. The last two adjuvants listed are not suitable for the dietary restrictions of vegetarians.
The winemaker who produces natural wine will most certainly avoid these substances because they choose to limit any input in the making of their wine.
There is no label that guarantees that a wine is suitable for vegetarians or vegans. The only label that would remove the doubt categorically is the vegan label, which is certainly more restrictive, but which guarantees more transparency. It is often a commitment that comes from the winemaker themselves...provided, of course, that they do not use draught horses in the vineyards.
Some Organic Labels and Certifications
- Terra Vitis: the winegrowers who adhere to this label commit themselves to reducing the quantity of synthetic inputs both in the vineyard and in the wine. However, in the event of vine disease or damage, they are allowed to use them. This label is more permissive than the following ones.
- HEV certification: High Environmental Value farm that aims at sustainable production and consumption. Recognises farmers' good environmental and health practices (phytosanitary issues, biodiversity, energy, etc.). A voluntary certification.
- Ecocert: respect for living ecosystems, better management of natural resources and energy, socially responsible industry, committed to safety and quality towards sustainability.
Organic farming:
- AB (Agriculture Biologique/Organic Farming): the French logo was used until 2012 and guaranteed that the wine was made from organic grapes. It is now replaced by the European Eurofeuille label.
- Eurofeuille: the specifications are European and guarantee that the contents of the bottle are definitely ORGANIC WINE.
- Nature et progrès: founded in 1964 as a reaction to the industrialisation of agriculture, the body advocates the development of organic farming as an alternative (without sticking to the directives of the European regulation). It includes an economy on a human scale that aims to promote a "participatory and horizontal dynamic". A very precise charter is defined.
Biodynamic farming:
- Demeter: this label guarantees biodynamic farming.
- Biodyvin: like Demeter, this label guarantees biodynamics but is more restrictive.
In the bottle:
- AVN (natural wine): l'Association des Vins Naturels (Natural Wines Association) states that "A natural wine is made from organically grown or biodynamic grapes, harvested by hand, vinified using artisanal techniques, without any inputs, with the possible, but not encouraged, exception of very low doses of added sulphites".
- S.A.I.N.S. (natural wine): stands for "Sans Aucun Intrant Ni Sulfite Ajouté" (Without Any Input Or Sulphite Added). It is undoubtedly the most restrictive label because if AVN wishes to add as few inputs as possible, notably sulphites at the time of vinification, S.A.I.N.S. forbids them completely.
- VEGAN (vegan wine): the labels do not guarantee an organic wine, but they come close to a natural wine if one considers that all inputs are prohibited. The vegan label prohibits all animal inputs.
Assistance
Follow us
Location
You are on the shop Great Britain
Alcohol abuse is bad for your health, please consume in moderation.
© 2002-2025 VINATIS
