30 Questions and Answers on Organic Wine

1. What is organic wine?

An organic wine is a wine made from organically farmed grapes that benefit from a certification that is defined at European level. A wine with the organic label guarantees that the specifications are respected.

2. The benefits of organic wine?

- It provides food safety for consumers.
- It respects the environment.
- It develops employment (organic wine requires about twice as many workers as conventional wine).

3. What is the difference between an organic wine, a biodynamic wine or a natural wine?

- Biodynamics is a form of organic viticulture that follows the teachings of Rudolf Steiner. It attaches great importance to the rhythms of nature and astronomical cycles (especially the influence of moon).
- Natural wines have an approach inspired by organic agriculture and biodynamics that goes much further, especially during the vinification process. The new French natural wine certification label is called "Vin Méthode Nature".

4. How to recognize an organic wine? Which label should I refer to?

It's very simple, an organic wine is a wine with the European label (with white stars on a green background) on the bottle.

5. Is organic wine more expensive?

Yes, but not by much! You can find quality organic wines around £10. For example here with our selection of INEXPENSIVE ORGANIC WINES.

6. What does organic wine in France represent in figures?

- In France, organic vineyards represent around 15% of the total.
- In terms of consumption, they represent nearly 10% of sales.
- In terms of turnover, organic wine represents more than one billion euros.
- And more than 53 billion euros worldwide...

7. Key dates in the history of organic farming?

- 1924 : Rudolf Steiner makes a name for himself at conferences where he advocates chemical-free agriculture.
- 1945 : After the war, productivism and mechanisation prevailed over organic farming, and for a long time. Only yields counted.
- 1980 : The agricultural orientation law finally (officially) recognises organic farming.
- 1985 : Creation of the AB logo - Organic Agriculture.
- 1991 : The European Union recognises organic farming and introduces rules to govern organic products. The same year, the certification body Ecocert was created.
- 1992 :The reform of the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) introduces aid for conversion to organic farming.
- 2000 : Europe proposes its own logo.
- 2001 : The Organic Agency is created.
- 2009 : Development of the rules of organic winemaking.
- 2012 : After several years of controversy, EU Regulation 203/2012, published in the Official Journal of the EU on 9 March 2012, has finally regularised the organic wine sector.

8. Why is there so much interest in organic wines?

Because consumers are increasingly sensitive to health and environmental issues.

9. Does organic wine taste better than non-organic wine?

Yes, according to a study by the KEDGE Business School and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) published in the Journal of Wine Economics. According to this study, organic wines taste better than conventional wines. Beyond these results, more and more experts and wine lovers believe that organic wines are clearly closer to the natural flavours of the grapes. This results in a pure taste that is more associated with the terroir.

10. Is organic wine better for your health?

Yes, certainly better than non-organic wines.

11. Is organic wine better for nature?

Yes! No doubt about it! Organic is better for the environment!

12. Is organic wine free of sulphites?

There is no such thing as a wine without sulphites as all the wines naturally contain a small amount of sulphites. The authorised amount does differ between organic, biodynamic and natural wines, however the amount is always considerably smaller than it is allowed for the conventional wines.

13. Which organic wine to choose?

That's a big question! It depends on your taste. But you will find some tips at the end of this article.

14. How to find organic wines?

It's simple. You can find ORGANIC WINES ON LINE, in supermarkets, in specialised wine shops or by visiting the producers' estates.

15. How to choose an organic wine?

You can choose an organic wine exactly the same way as conventional wine. You can ask friends for advice, ask sommeliers for information, consult specialised guides, rely on the opinions of consumers or online sites...

16. How to taste an organic wine?

You can taste an organic wine exactly the same way as conventional wine.
- Make sure the wine is served at a right temperature.
- Open the bottle of wine before serving to allow the aromas to develop.
- Serve it in a real wine glass.
- Enjoy it with some appetizers or a dish that matches with the wine.

17. Are there organic wines in all colours?

All four colours... white, rosé, orange and red.

18. Can organic wine be aged?

Yes, of course! However, some precautions should be taken. See below.

19. How to store organic wine?

As in the case of conventional wines, it is preferable to keep organic wines laid down horizontally in a cellar protected from light and with a constant temperature between 10 and 15°.

20. Who are the buyers of organic wine?

It can be seen that consumers of organic wines tend to be female. And generally speaking (men and women together), we note that these consumers are rather young.

21. Who drinks the most organic wine in Europe?

The main consumer countries of organic wines in Europe are: Sweden, France, Germany, UK and Italy.

22. Three mistakes / pitfalls to avoid when buying a good organic wine?

- Hesitating to pay a few extra euros for an organic bottle.
- Not tasting the organic wine in question at least once before buying it in quantity.
- Consuming the organic wine while eating food that is not organic.

23. What are the vinification conditions for organic wine?

Only the additives and oenological aids listed in Annex VIIIa of the European regulation of March 2012 are authorised.

24. What are the main regions in France producing organic wine?

- Languedoc-Roussillon
- Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes.
- Provence
- Bourgogne
- Rhône
- Alsace
- Loire

25. Organic wine production in the world?

- Italy is in the lead.
- Followed by Spain.
- Then Austria.
- Chile.
- And the United States.

26. Is there an organic wine fair?

Yes, there are even several wine fairs dedicated to organic wines. In France, the main organic wine fair is called Millésime Bio. It takes place every year in Montpellier. Our team of sommeliers is regularly present at this event.

27. What is the future of organic viticulture in medium to long term?

All the indicators are green, so to speak. More and more winegrowers are going organic. The market studies all indicate strong growth in the future. And it is clear that organic wines have a strong potential for growth, in France, in Europe and even more so internationally where organic wine consumption is still marginal.

28. Three organic red wines to recommend?

For red wines, our team of sommeliers recommends:
- Pic Saint Loup – Château de la Roque. A favourite of our experts and of Robert Parker A Pic Saint-Loup remarkable for its price!
- La Chapelle – Domaine de Pothiers. After spending 10 months in wooden truncated cone vats, the nose is very aromatic in the glass with lots of crisp red fruits and a beautiful floral frame that holds this aroma in the glass for hours. The palate is delicate, sweet and very sleek. The tannins are elegant while giving way to an unparalleled juice! A wine that offers great pleasure in tasting.

29. Three organic white wines to recommend?

For white wines, our team of sommeliers recommends:
- Pouilly Fuisse – Les Plessys - Dominique Cornin. Taking the name of a climate that evokes that of a notable rich province, this Pouilly-Fuissé bears the comparison well. At ease in all environments thanks to its broad start on the palate supported by beautiful aromas of ripe peach and roasted pineapple.
- Tradition - Domaine de Ferrant. With its roundness, vivacity, balance and fruitiness, the cuvée Tradition also expresses flavoursome aromatic complexity. The quality for the price is more than reasonable with this lovely and fragrant white wine from France's South-West.
- Granite – Domaine de l'Ecu. A Muscadet of formidable purity, sommeliers from around the world are gripped. Why not you?

30. Three organic rosé wines to recommend?

For rosé wines, our team of sommeliers recommends:
- Uby Byo – Domaine Uby. With notes of raspberry and redcurrant, the wine shows a great freshness with round and delicious palate... Pure savouring pleasure!
- Rose - Domaine la Rose des Vents With a round, fresh and delicious palate, the finish is expressed through peach and grapefruit... a must-have rosé!
- Cuvée Château Cru Classe – Château Sainte Marguerite. This Grande Réserve from the Château Sainte Marguerite: a precise rosé abounding in delicacy and one that you can open on any occasion! A Cru Classé that's right on point.