We are used to seeing organic eggs, organic fruit and organic milk at the supermarket. Lately, organic wine has begun to appear on the shelves at wine shops. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or a social drinker, you might have wondered what exactly makes organic wine different than traditional wine.
“Organic wine is the emphasis on growing grapes with natural remedies and enhancements, rather than manufactured fertilizers and pesticides,” said Erica Witte, owner of The Poison Cup, a wine and art boutique in Chicago.
Some of the remedies that wine growers use as alternatives to pesticides include companion crops, which entice friendly animal and insect species that mitigate the population of other vine-damaging species; cover crops, that utilize crab grass, clover and poppies to help control waste water runoff, water usage, and soil nutrient levels; and composting, which helps to replenish soil nutrients with recycled plant and animal waste from the vineyard, such as grape skins that have already been pressed and crushed.
“Anyone who is concerned about the planet’s lack of potable water should consider trading traditional wines for organic,” Witte said. “It’s also perfect for anyone skeptical of FDA-approved pesticides or fertilizers.”
Organic wine also prohibits the use of sulfites, which is a hot button issue for many consumers. However, wine-drinkers should keep in mind that small amounts of sulfites occur naturally in wines, even in “sulfite-free” wines.
If you’re thinking of making the foray into organic wines, Witte suggests learning a little bit about the vineyard where the wine is produced to get the best sense for whether or not you will enjoy a specific wine. Witte also recommended three of her favorite organic wines that offer balance flavor for anyone looking to add to his or her wine collection.
Organic Wine Pairings
Chono Rose Syrah: Made from 40-year old syrah vines grown on the very west limit of the Maipo Valley, Chile, this is a good example of a wine produced by progressive winemakers who have adapted sustainable practices. The wine demonstrates good acidity, bright berry fruits, and a clean refreshing finish.
Pair with: White Bean and Arugula Pasta Salad, Spicy Pepper Jack Bruschetta with Mango Salsa, Asparagus Tart with Prosciutto & Parmesan
Montinore Estate Muller-Thurgau Pinot Noir: Made on an estate that manages 230 acres of grapes in the Willamette Valley Oregon, this wine is farmed using the strict methods of Biodynamic farming. Made from an obscure German grape varietal, it is an easy to drink wine with hints of floral and citrus.
Pair with: Pistachio Crusted Pork Chops, Bacon Caesar Salad
Matsu “El Picaro”, Toro, Spain: Made from 90-year-old Tempranillo vines grown using biodynamic techniques, this wine is part of a trilogy whose labels chronicle three generations of winemakers in northern Spain. “El Picaro” is the brightest, fruitiest, most youthful wine with a rustic, old-world edge.
Pair with: Baked Salmon with Dijon Glaze, Easy Shrimp Paella, Flourless Chocolate Cake
Originally Posted in November 2010 on Skimbaco Lifestyle.
20 Comments
Laura @ SweetSavoryPlanet
June 30, 2011 at 10:38 pmThere are many vineyards that use organic practices but are not labeled organic. Meeting all the criteria for being certified organic can be expensive and difficult for some vineyards to achieve particularly if they are small. Every country has different standards for this. I think this is an interesting issue because we can’t completely rely on the label and knowing your wines can be impractical. I buy organic produce and do not like the use of pesticides but in some cases I can understand limited use. All that being said, I have a tendency to believe that organic practices produce a better product and therefore a better glass of wine. Very thought provoking. Thanks Maris.
lisa @ smart food and fit
June 30, 2011 at 6:10 pmThanks for the info on organic vs. conventional. I wish it was in my budget to buy organic wine on a regular basis, that’s probably the biggest reason why I don’t drink much! I’ll have to try the ones you suggested and make a list next time I go to Whole Foods!
purabi naha
June 30, 2011 at 11:25 amYour info on wine is very insightful. We don’t have wine, but we do appreciate a good article on wine…loved your post!
Beth @ DiningAndDishing
June 30, 2011 at 9:08 amWe drank some organic champagne just last night! My sis is a HUGE organic food advocate so when I saw that bottle, I just knew I had to get it for her :).
bellini
June 30, 2011 at 8:53 amMore and more vineyards are going organic and using biodynamic initiatives. I get my grape leaves from a local orgnaic vineyard.
Blond Duck
June 30, 2011 at 6:21 amI didn’t know you could have organic wine!
Gina (The Candid RD)
June 30, 2011 at 6:13 amI have heard that their are “organic pesticides” that are also a little on the sketchy side, and that cannot be trusted…have you heard about this at all?? I am definitely concerned about the amount of potable water on our Earth, but I think we need to make better rules about water usage, period. We just let it go to waste so easily.
I’ve never tried organic wine, but I’ll have to consider it the next time I buy some!
Maureen
June 30, 2011 at 5:41 amI have trouble drinking a red wine with added sulfites but organic wines go down like silk. 🙂 Wonderful post!
Barbara
June 30, 2011 at 5:28 amReally an interesting post, Maris. (The wine boutique’s name rather stopped me for a sec; clever, but perhaps best not with anything you ingest.)
I’ll definitely try one or more of your suggested wines. I imagine the price is higher, right? That’s so often the case, understandably, with organic anything.
kankana
June 30, 2011 at 1:13 amOh boy! That’s a lot of interesting info 🙂 I recently became more of a wine girl and less of a vodka girl . I seriously never heard of organic wine before. Thanks for sharing !
peachkins
June 29, 2011 at 11:00 pmstill learning my wines here…
Angela
June 29, 2011 at 10:01 pmI am loving your wine posts. It is like attending a wine class with a great teacher:)
yummychunklet
June 29, 2011 at 9:41 pmGreat list! You’ve given me some good ideas for this holiday weekend.
rebecca
June 29, 2011 at 9:25 pmsounds a great thing to me
Courtney
June 29, 2011 at 9:02 pmMy husband and I took a trip to Walla Walla, Washington, where there are a ton of wineries. We learned a lot about organic wine – and saw some of the vineyards. It was fascinating. Thanks for posting about them!
Dishes of Mrs. Fish
June 29, 2011 at 9:00 pmI typically do wine tastings on Fridays with friends at Whole Foods and my favorites have always been the organic wines! 🙂
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
June 29, 2011 at 8:57 pmThanks for the post and I LOVE vineyard hopping and wine tastings 🙂
Liz
June 29, 2011 at 8:20 pmGreat info…I hadn’t thought much about organic wine, but glad the market is growing.
polwig
June 29, 2011 at 8:20 pmGreat post, thank you for the list of wines that I should try 🙂
Three-Cookies
June 29, 2011 at 8:14 pmInteresting and informative. Sulfites – in addition to it occurring naturally, I also read that sulfites have been used in wine making for centuries. Could not help but notice the name of the boutique – The Poison Cup, and she is talking about pesticides:)